Recognized as one of the thirty-two saplings of the original Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the Kalutara Bodhiya is an ancient Bo tree that is visited by many. Want to know more about it?
1) History
The Kalutara Bodhiya is a sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura which itself is a sapling of the Bo Tree in Bihar. The very tree that the Buddha attained enlightenment under. If you’re looking for a hotel in Kalutara, Sri Lanka to stay while you visit the tree, you’ll find many great choices like the Mermaid Hotel & Club for instance.
2) The first tree
After the Buddha attained enlightenment, the tree became one of the symbols of his presence centuries later and was worshipped. The Bhikkhuni Sanghamitta brought a sapling of this original tree to Sri Lanka. She was the daughter of King Asoka and it was her twin brother who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Planted in the Mahamehavana Park in Anuradhapura, this sapling grew to be the Sri Maha Bodhi.
3) The sapling
The second sapling that grew to be the Kalutara Bodhiya was the subject of a discussion to be destroyed in order to construct railroads in Sri Lanka by the British in the 19th century. After much discussion and protests made by the strong Buddhist public, it was decided that the tree would not be harmed.
4) The trust
Today the Kalutara Bodhi Trusts exists to protect and nurture the history of the tree as well as to develop the welfare of the society around it.
Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+
