Difference between revisions of "Bodhi Tree"
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Bodhi, a Pali word meaning ‘awaken,’ is the name given to the individual tree growing at [[Bodh Gaya]] which the Buddha was sitting under when he became enlightened. This [[Bodhi Tree]] was a variety of fig known to botanists as Figus religiousa and which has large spreading branches and rounded leaves with a characteristic pointed tip. In the several accounts of the [[Buddha]]’s enlightenment in the [[Tipitaka]], the [[Bodhi Tree]] is only mentioned once (Udana 1, repeated at Vinaya 1. 1-7). Tradition says that after his enlightenment the Buddha sat for seven days gazing at the Bodhi Tree out of gratitude for the shelter it had given him (Jataka 1. 77); and modern [[Buddhist]]s still revere this species of tree for the same reason. The present Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya was planted in 1880 and is a distant ancestor of the original one. Bodhi trees are sometimes mistakenly called banyans which is another species of tree altogether. | Bodhi, a Pali word meaning ‘awaken,’ is the name given to the individual tree growing at [[Bodh Gaya]] which the Buddha was sitting under when he became enlightened. This [[Bodhi Tree]] was a variety of fig known to botanists as Figus religiousa and which has large spreading branches and rounded leaves with a characteristic pointed tip. In the several accounts of the [[Buddha]]’s enlightenment in the [[Tipitaka]], the [[Bodhi Tree]] is only mentioned once (Udana 1, repeated at Vinaya 1. 1-7). Tradition says that after his enlightenment the Buddha sat for seven days gazing at the Bodhi Tree out of gratitude for the shelter it had given him (Jataka 1. 77); and modern [[Buddhist]]s still revere this species of tree for the same reason. The present Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya was planted in 1880 and is a distant ancestor of the original one. Bodhi trees are sometimes mistakenly called banyans which is another species of tree altogether. | ||
Revision as of 21:38, 8 October 2008
Bodhi, a Pali word meaning ‘awaken,’ is the name given to the individual tree growing at Bodh Gaya which the Buddha was sitting under when he became enlightened. This Bodhi Tree was a variety of fig known to botanists as Figus religiousa and which has large spreading branches and rounded leaves with a characteristic pointed tip. In the several accounts of the Buddha’s enlightenment in the Tipitaka, the Bodhi Tree is only mentioned once (Udana 1, repeated at Vinaya 1. 1-7). Tradition says that after his enlightenment the Buddha sat for seven days gazing at the Bodhi Tree out of gratitude for the shelter it had given him (Jataka 1. 77); and modern Buddhists still revere this species of tree for the same reason. The present Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya was planted in 1880 and is a distant ancestor of the original one. Bodhi trees are sometimes mistakenly called banyans which is another species of tree altogether.
References
- Buddhism A to Z. Ven. Dhammika, 2007.