64-574: 24°41′45.29″N 84°59′29.29″E / 24.6959139°N 84.9914694°E / 24.6959139; 84.9914694 The Bodhi Tree ("tree of awakening" or "tree of enlightenment"), also called the Mahabodhi Tree or Bo Tree , is a large sacred fig tree ( Ficus religiosa ) located in Bodh Gaya , Bihar , India . Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher who became known as the Buddha ,
128-629: A great monastery was attached to the Bodhimanda called the Bodhimanda Vihara. Among those present at the foundation Kattika the Mahā Thūpa are mentioned thirty thousand monks from the Bodhimanda Vihara, led by Cittagutta. In the 7th century CE, Chinese traveler Xuanzang wrote of the tree in detail. Every time the tree was destroyed, a new tree was planted in the same place. In 1862 British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham wrote of
192-484: A guardian deity to prevent all evildoers from entering (SA.i.239). Just outside the monastery was a rājāyatana tree, the residence of the god Samiddhisumana (Mhv.i.52f; MT 105; but see DhA.i.41, where the guardian of the gateway is called Sumana). In the grounds there seems to have been a large pond which came to be called the Jetavanapokkharanī. (AA.i.264; here the Buddha often bathed (J.i.329ff.). Is this
256-503: A gāvuta, while that of the Kassapa Buddha built by Sumangala covered sixteen karīsas. Anāthapindika's monastery covered a space of eighteen karīsas (BuA.2, 47; J.i.94; DA.ii.424). According to a description given by Faxian (Giles, pp. 31, 33), the vihāra was originally in seven sections (storeys?) and was filled with all kinds of offerings, embroidered banners, canopies, etc., and the lamps burnt from dusk to dawn. One day
320-625: A lifespan ranging between 900 and 1,500 years. The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree in the city of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka is estimated to be more than 2,250 years old. Ficus religiosa is native to most of the Indian subcontinent – Bangladesh , Bhutan , Nepal , Pakistan and India including the Assam region , Eastern Himalaya and the Nicobar Islands , as well as part of Indochina –
384-452: A rat, holding in its mouth a lamp wick, set fire to the banners and canopies, and all the seven sections were entirely destroyed. The vihāra was later rebuilt in two sections. There were two main entrances, one on the east, one on the west, and Faxian found thūpas erected at all the places connected with the Buddha, each with its name inscribed. Near Jetavana was evidently a monastery of rival teachers where Ciñcāmānavikā spent her nights as she
448-520: A risk assessment prepared for the species' invasiveness in Hawaii by PIER. Such a high score predicts it will become a major pest in suitable climate zones. The major reasons for its invasive behaviour are its fast-growing nature, tolerance to various climate zones and soil types, reported lifespan of over 3,000 years, and its suffocating growth habit as it often begins life as an epiphyte . The earliest known record of Ficus religiosa in human culture
512-608: A saffron cloth wrapped around the base. A yearly ritual involving the Bo Trees at wats is the purchasing of "mai kam sii" ไม้คำ้ศริ, which are "supports" that look like crutches and are placed under the spreading branches as if holding them up. The purchase money helps fund the wat, a central part of Thai life. Ficus religiosa is used in traditional medicine for about fifty types of disorders including asthma, diabetes, diarrhea, epilepsy, gastric problems, inflammatory disorders, infectious and sexual disorders. The trunk of this tree
576-408: A second vihara erected at Pubbarama close to Savatthi was built by the Buddha's chief female lay disciple, Visakha , the Buddha would dwell alternately between Jetavana and Migāramātupāsāda, often spending the day in one and the night in the other (SNA.i.336). Following Anathapindika's first encounter with the Buddha, he requested to offer him a meal, which the Buddha accepted, and then asked to build
640-401: A temple for him and his monks in his hometown of Savatthi, to which the Buddha agreed. Shortly after, Anathapindika went back to Savatthi to search for a place to build the monastery. Looking for a place that was both accessible to followers and peacefully secluded, he came across a park belonging to Prince Jeta, the son of King Pasenadi of Kosala . Anathapindika offered to buy the park from
704-524: A wide variety of soils but preferably needs deep, alluvial sandy loam with good drainage . It is also found on shallow soils including rock crevices. Ficus religiosa is associated with Blastophaga quadriceps , an agaonid wasp which acts as its pollinator as this wasp lays its eggs only on trees of this species. Ficus religiosa is tolerant to various climate zones ( Köppen climate classification categories of Af , Am , Aw/As , Cfa , Cwa and Csa ) and various types of soils. In Paraguay
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#1732765092000768-507: Is a large dry season - deciduous or semi-evergreen tree up to 30 metres (98 ft) tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 3 metres (9.8 ft). The leaves are cordate in shape with a distinctive extended drip tip ; they are 10–17 centimetres (3.9–6.7 in) long and 8–12 centimetres (3.1–4.7 in) broad, with a 6–10 centimetres (2.4–3.9 in) petiole . The fruits are small figs 1–1.5 centimetres (0.39–0.59 in) in diameter, green ripening to purple. F. religiosa has
832-497: Is almost always referred to as Jetavane Anāthapindikassa ārāma ( Pali , meaning: in Jeta Grove, Anathapindika's Monastery). The Commentaries (MA.ii.50; UdA.56f, etc.) say that this was deliberate (at the Buddha's own suggestion pp. 81–131; Beal: op. cit., ii.5 and Rockhill: p. 49), in order that the names of both earlier and later owners might be recorded and that people might be reminded of two men, both very generous in
896-505: Is considered to have a religious significance in four major religions that originated on the Indian subcontinent: Hinduism , Buddhism , Sikhism and Jainism . Hindu and Jain ascetics consider the species to be sacred and often meditate under it. Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment under a tree of this species. The sacred fig is the state tree of the Indian states of Odisha , Bihar and Haryana . Ficus religiosa
960-652: Is continuously growing to this day in the island's ancient capital, Anuradhapura . This Bodhi tree was originally named Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi . According to the Mahavamsa, the Sri Maha Bodhi in Sri Lanka was planted in 288 BCE, making it the oldest verified specimen of any angiosperm . In this year (the twelfth year of King Asoka 's reign) the right branch of the Bodhi tree was brought by Sanghamittā to Anurādhapura and placed by Devānāmpiyatissa his left foot in
1024-482: Is holy to Navayana Buddhism as this is the place where Dr. B. R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism along with 600,000 followers on 14 October 1956, Dhammachakra Pravartan Din . The sapling of the Sacred Bodhi tree from Anuradhapura Sri Lanka was planted on 15 May 2011, at Wisdom Park 14 Broadway Avenue, New Manila, Quezon City, Philippines by D. M. Jayaratne , Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, and Mariano S. Yupitun,
1088-519: Is in present-day Bodh Gaya in Bihar, India . The original tree was destroyed, and has been replaced several times. A branch of the original tree was rooted in Anuradhapura , Sri Lanka in 288 BCE and is known as Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi ; it is the oldest living human-planted flowering plant (angiosperm) in the world. In Theravada Buddhist Southeast Asia , the tree's massive trunk is often
1152-761: Is part of the Buddhist pilgrim route in North-India. The most revered place in Jetavana is the Gandhakuti, where Buddha used to stay. Jetavana is located at 27°30′34″N 82°02′24″E / 27.509466°N 82.040073°E / 27.509466; 82.040073 . In Japan the deity Gozu Tenno is considered to have originated as a guardian of Jetavana. He is a central deity of the Gion faith and identified with Susanoo-no-Mikoto . The district Gion where
1216-441: Is said (MA.i.50; UdA.56f) that Anāthapindika paid eighteen crores for the purchase of the site, all of which Jeta spent in the construction of the gateway gifted by him. (The gateway was evidently an imposing structure; see J.ii.216). Jeta gave, besides, many valuable trees for timber. Anāthapindika himself spent fifty-four crores in connection with the purchase of the park and the buildings erected in it. The ceremony of dedication
1280-465: Is said that in the ancient Buddhist texts in order that people might make their offerings in the name of the Buddha when he was away on pilgrimage, the Buddha sanctioned the planting of a seed from the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya in front of the gateway of Jetavana Monastery near Sravasti . For this purpose Moggallana took a fruit from the tree as it dropped from its stalk before it reached the ground. It
1344-463: Is said to have attained enlightenment or buddhahood circa 500 BCE under this tree. In religious iconography , the Bodhi Tree is recognizable by its heart-shaped leaves, which are usually prominently displayed. The original tree under which Siddhartha Gautama sat is no longer living, but the term "bodhi tree" is also applied to existing sacred fig trees . The foremost example of an existing tree
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#17327650920001408-684: Is the Mahabodhi Tree growing at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya , which is often cited as a direct descendant of the original tree. This tree, planted around 250 BCE, is a frequent destination for pilgrims , being the most important of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Other holy bodhi trees with great significance in the history of Buddhism are the Anandabodhi Tree at Jetavana in Sravasti in North India and
1472-515: Is the best. When planting, use soil with a pH of 7 or below. While it is possible for the plant to grow indoors in a pot, it grows best outside. Young peepul needs proper nourishment . It requires full sunlight and proper watering. Sacred fig occurs naturally in submontane forest regions . As with many Ficus trees, these are well suited for Bonsai training. In the Middle East , it is preferably planted as an avenue or road verge tree. In
1536-586: Is the use of peepal leaf motifs in the pottery of the Helmand culture , found at Mundigak site, in Kandahar , Afghanistan, dating back to third millennium BCE. The Indus Valley Civilisation venerated this tree and its leaf and drew religious art of it. The peepal tree is considered sacred by the followers of Hinduism , Jainism , Sikhism and Buddhism . In the Bhagavad Gita , Krishna says, "I am
1600-626: Is used by farmers as a soil leveller. After seed harvesting, the rectangular trunk is connected to tractors and levels the soil. Jetavana Jetavana ( lit. ' Jeta's grove ' ) was one of the most famous of the Buddhist monasteries or viharas in India (present-day Uttar Pradesh ). It was the second vihara donated to Gautama Buddha after the Venuvana in Rajgir . The monastery
1664-738: The Andaman Islands , Thailand , Myanmar and Peninsular Malaysia . It has been widely introduced elsewhere, particularly in the rest of tropical Asia, but also in Iran (Balochistan), Florida and Venezuela . Ficus religiosa suitably grows at altitudes ranging from 10 metres (33 ft) up to 1,520 metres (4,990 ft). Due to the climatic conditions which are prevalent throughout different heat zones, it can grow at latitudes ranging from 30°N to 5°S. It can tolerate air temperatures ranging between 0 to 35 °C (32 to 95 °F), beyond this upper limit its growth diminishes. It grows on
1728-816: The Himalayas . According to Vamana Purana 32.1–4, the Sarasvati was rising from the Plaksa tree (Pipal tree). Plaksa Pra-sravana denotes the place where the Sarasvati appears. In the Rigveda Sutras, Plaksa Pra-sravana refers to the source of the Sarasvati. Ficus religiosa is grown by specialty tree plant nurseries for use as an ornamental tree , in gardens and parks in tropical and subtropical climates . Peepul trees are native to Indian subcontinent and thrive in hot, humid weather. They prefer full sunlight and can grow in all soil types , though loam
1792-685: The Philippines and in Nicaragua the species is cultivated in parks and along roadsides and pavements , while in Paraguay it occurs in forests at lower elevations . In Thailand โพ or "Pho" trees grow everywhere, but in the Wats (temples) they are revered, and usually are several hundred years old, with trunks up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) wide. As with all sacred trees in Thailand, they have
1856-474: The Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura , Sri Lanka . Both are also believed to have been propagated from the original Bodhi Tree. The Forest Research Institute of India assists in the upkeep of the tree since 2007. Cloning has been considered in 2008. Its sacred leaves can also be bought by pilgrims as mementos. Religious offerings, which would draw insects, were shifted to some distance from
1920-463: The setthi Punabbasumitta built a monastery extending for a whole league, while for Sikhī Buddha , the setthi Sirivaddha made one covering three gavutas. The Sanghārāma built by Sotthiya for Vessabhū Buddha was half a league in extent, while that erected by Accuta for Kakusandha Buddha covered only one gāvuta. The monastery of the Koṇāgamana Buddha , built by the setthi Ugga, extended for half
1984-627: The Anandabodhi (J.iv.228f). Not far from the gateway was a cave which became famous as the Kapallapūvapabbhāra on account of an incident connected with Macchariyakosiya (J.i.348). According to the Divyāvadāna (Dvy.395f), the thūpas of Sāriputta and Moggallāna were in the grounds of Jetavana and existed until the time of Asoka. Both Fa Hien (Giles: p. 33ff) and Houien Thsang (Beal.ii.7ff) give descriptions of other incidents connected with
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2048-518: The Bodhi tree on the grounds of the Trấn Quốc pagoda . In 2012, Brahmanda Pratap Barua, Ripon, Dhaka, Bangladesh, took a sapling of Bodhi tree from Buddha Gaya, Maha Bodhi to Thousand Oaks, California , where he presented it to his benefactor, Anagarika Glenn Hughes, who had funded much Buddhist work and teaches Buddhism in the US. He and his students received the sapling with a great thanks, later they planted
2112-414: The Buddha, which took place in the neighbourhood of Jetavana - e.g., the murder of Sundarikā, the calumny of Ciñcā, Devadatta's attempt to poison the Buddha, etc. The space covered by the four bedposts of the Buddha's Gandhakuti in Jetavana is one of the four avijahitatthānāni; all Buddhas possess the same, though the size of the actual vihāra differs in the case of the various Buddhas. For Vipassī Buddha ,
2176-887: The Busshinji temple, the head temple of Sōtō in Latin America, in São Paulo , and another in the Soto Temple Daissenji, in Florianópolis . Following is a list of the various Mahabodhi trees under which all of the Buddhas known to Theravada Buddhism attained buddhahood . On 8 December, Bodhi Day celebrates Buddha's enlightenment underneath the Bodhi Tree. Those who follow the Dharma greet each other by saying, "Budu saranai!" which translates to "may
2240-527: The Cancer constellation). Plaksa is a possible Sanskrit term for Ficus religiosa . However, according to Macdonell and Keith (1912), it denotes the wavy-leaved fig tree ( Ficus infectoria ) instead. In Hindu texts, the Plaksa tree is associated with the source of the Sarasvati River . The Skanda Purana states that the Sarasvati originates from the water pot of Brahma flows from Plaksa on
2304-455: The Mahāmeghavana. The Buddha, on his death bed, had resolved five things, one being that the branch which should be taken to Ceylon should detach itself. From Gayā, the branch was taken to Pātaliputta , thence to Tāmalittī , where it was placed in a ship and taken to Jambukola, across the sea; finally it arrived at Anuradhapura , staying on the way at Tivakka . Those who assisted the king at
2368-703: The Peepal tree among the trees, Narada among the Deva Rishi (Divine sages), Bhrigu among the Saptha-Maharishis, Chitraratha among the Gandharvas , And sage Kapila among the Siddhas." In India, the medal for the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna , is modelled on the leaf of a Peepal tree. Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment ( bodhi ) while meditating underneath a Ficus religiosa . The site
2432-592: The Pubbakotthaka referred to at A.iii.345? But see S.v.220; it was near this pond that Devadatta was swallowed up in Avīci (J.iv.158)). The grounds themselves were thickly covered with trees, giving the appearance of a wooded grove (arañña) (Sp.iii.532). On the outskirts of the monastery was a mango-grove (J.iii.137). In front of the gateway was the Bodhi-tree planted by Anāthapindika, which came later to be called
2496-669: The Sri Maha Bodhi to plant two saplings in Chennai , one was planted near the Buddha temple at the Theosophical Society another at the riverside of Adyar Estuary. The third was planted near a meditation center in Sri Lanka. To Trấn Quốc, Hanoi, Vietnam In 1959, to mark the visit of the first President of India, Shri Rajendra Prasad, a cutting of the original tree in Bodh Gaya was gifted and presently it stands as
2560-623: The State Reorganisation Act of 1935 adopted the Bo tree symbol in the state emblem, following a recommendation to that effect being forwarded to the Royal Society. Bodhi Puja, meaning "the veneration of Bodhi-tree" is the ritual to worship the Bodhi tree and the deity residing on it (Pali: rukkhadevata; Sanskrit; vrikshadevata). It is done by giving various offerings such as food, water, milk, lamps, incense, etc. and chanting
2624-549: The ancient (6th century AD) accounts of Chinese pilgrim-monks to determine that Sahet-Mahet actually referred to Jetavana and Savatthi . Jetavana is currently a historical park, with remains of many ancient buildings such as monasteries, huts (such as the Gandhakuti and the Kosambakuti ) and stupas . In Jetavana is also located the second-holiest tree of Buddhism: the Anandabodhi Tree . A visit to Savatthi and Jetavana
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2688-553: The cause of the Religion, so that others might follow their example. The vihāra is sometimes referred to as Jetārāma (E.g., Ap.i.400). Some of the chief buildings attached to the Jetavana are mentioned in the books by special names, viz., Mahāgandhakuti, Kaverimandalamāla, Kosambakuti and Candanamāla. SNA.ii.403. Other buildings are also mentioned - e.g., the Ambalakotthaka-āsanasālā (J.ii.246). According to Tibetan sources
2752-577: The ceremony of the planting of the Tree were the nobles of Kājaragāma and of Candanagāma and of Tivakka. The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is also known to be the most sacred Bodhi tree. This came upon the Buddhists who performed rites and rituals near the Bodhi tree. The Bodhi tree was known to cause rain and heal the ill. When an individual became ill, one of his or her relatives would visit the Bodhi tree to water it seven times for seven days and to vow on behalf of
2816-587: The founder of Universal Wisdom Foundation Inc. A sapling of the Sacred Bodhi tree from Anuradhapura Sri Lanka was planted in April 2008 at Kurilpa Point, the site of the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), by the artist Lee Mingwei , as the centerpiece to his 'Bhodi Tree Project' which is described as an ambitious living artwork. There are two descendants in Brazil . One in
2880-590: The park at the mentioned price. The money brought in the first journey was found insufficient to cover one small spot near the gateway. So Anāthapindika sent his servants back for more, but Jeta, inspired by Anāthapindika's earnestness, asked to be allowed to give this spot. Anāthapindika agreed and Jeta erected there a gateway, with a room over it. Anāthapindika built in the grounds dwelling rooms, retiring rooms, store rooms and service halls, halls with fireplaces, closets, cloisters, halls for exercise, wells, bathrooms, ponds, open and roofed sheds, etc. (Vin.ii.158f). It
2944-581: The peace of the Buddha be yours." It is also generally seen as a religious holiday, much like Christmas in the Christian west, in which special meals are served, especially cookies shaped like hearts (referencing the heart-shaped leaves of the Bodhi) and a meal of kheer , the Buddha's first meal ending his six-year asceticism . The Bo tree is the main part of the Bihar State emblem . During British rule,
3008-437: The present Pipal is standing on a terrace at least 30 feet above the level of the surrounding country. It was in full vigour in 1811, when seen by Dr. Buchanan (Hamilton) , who describes it as in all probability not exceeding 100 years of age. However, the tree decayed further and in 1876 the remaining tree was destroyed in a storm. Cunningham says the young scion of the parent tree was already in existence to take its place. It
3072-447: The prince but the prince refused, after Anathapindika persisted, the prince jokingly said he will sell him the park if he covers it with gold coins, to which Anathapindika agreed. Anathapindika later came back with wagons full of gold pieces to cover the park with. When Prince Jeta stated that he was merely joking and still would not sell the park, Anathapindika and the prince went to arbitrators who concluded that Prince Jeta had to sell
3136-952: The region receives more than 60 millimetres (6.0 cm) of precipitation per month, Tropical monsoon climate where average precipitation ranges from 60 millimetres (6.0 cm) in the driest month to 100 millimetres (10 cm), Tropical savanna climate with dry summer where average precipitation ranges from 60 millimetres (6.0 cm) per month in summers to 100 millimetres (10 cm) per month in winters , Tropical savanna climate with dry winter where average precipitation ranges from to 60 millimetres (6.0 cm) per month in winters to 100 millimetres (10 cm) per month in summers , Warm temperate climate with dry winter where average temperature ranges from 0 to 10 °C (32 to 50 °F) and winters are dry, as well as Warm temperate climate with dry summer where average temperature ranges from 0 to 10 °C (32 to 50 °F) and summers are dry. Unlike most epiphytic jungle figs, which ring
3200-442: The sacred fig tree as a mark of worship. Usually seven pradakshinas are done around the tree in the morning time chanting " vriksha rajaya namah ", meaning "salutation to the king of trees". It is claimed that the 27 stars (constellations) constituting 12 houses ( rasis ) and 9 planets are specifically represented precisely by 27 trees—one for each star. The Bodhi Tree is said to represent Pushya (Western star name γ, δ and θ Cancri in
3264-401: The sapling in the ground in a nearby park. In 1989, the government of India presented Nihon-ji with a sapling from the Bodhi Tree as a gesture of world peace. This Bodhi Tree was planted at Deekshabhoomi from three branches of the Bodhi Tree at Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. Bhadant Anand Kausalyayan brought these branches from Sri Lanka as a memorial of Buddha's enlightenment. This site
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#17327650920003328-651: The sick for a speedy recovery. In 1913, Anagarika Dharmapala took a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi to Hawaii , where he presented it to his benefactor, Mary E. Foster , who had funded much Buddhist missionary work. She planted it in the grounds of her house in Honolulu , by the Nuʻuanu stream. On her death, she left her house and its grounds to the people of Honolulu, and it became the Foster Botanical Garden . In 1950, Jinarajadasa took three saplings of
3392-525: The site as the first entry in the first volume of the Archaeological Survey of India : The celebrated Bodhi tree still exists, but is very much decayed; one large stem, with three branches to the westward, is still green, but the other branches are barkless and rotten. The green branch perhaps belongs to some younger tree, as there are numerous stems of apparently different trees clustered together. The tree must have been renewed frequently, as
3456-459: The site of Buddhist or animist shrines. Not all Ficus religiosa are ordinarily called a Bodhi Tree . A true Bodhi Tree is traditionally considered a tree that has as its parent another Bodhi Tree, and so on, until the first Bodhi Tree, which is the tree under which Gautama is said to have gained enlightenment. Sadhus ( Hindu ascetics) meditate beneath sacred fig trees, and Hindus do pradakshina (circumambulation, or meditative pacing) around
3520-411: The stems of dicotyledonous support trees from the outside, the epiphytic bushes of F. religiosa are not true stranglers. Their roots penetrate inside the stem of the support, eventually splitting it from within. Ficus religiosa has been listed as an " environmental weed " or "naturalised weed" by the Global Compendium of Weeds (Randall, 2012). It has been assigned an invasiveness high risk score of 7 in
3584-431: The tree species occurs in forests at lower elevations, and in China the species has been reported growing at altitudes ranging from 400 to 700 metres (1,300 to 2,300 ft). In India, being a native species , it occurs both naturally in wild as well as cultivated up to altitudes of 1,520 metres (4,990 ft). Ficus religiosa is tolerant to widely varying climatic conditions such as Tropical rainforest climate where
3648-400: The tree. The Bodhi tree at the Mahabodhi Temple is called the Sri Maha Bodhi. Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment ( bodhi ) while meditating underneath a Ficus religiosa . According to Buddhist texts , the Buddha meditated without moving from his seat for seven weeks (49 days) under this tree. A shrine called Animisalocana cetiya, was later erected on the spot where he sat. The spot
3712-502: The verses of glory of Bodhi tree in Pali . The most common verse is: "Ime ete mahabodhi lokanathena pujita ahampi te namassami bodhi raja namatthu te." Ficus religiosa Ficus religiosa or sacred fig is a species of fig native to the Indian subcontinent and Indochina that belongs to Moraceae , the fig or mulberry family. It is also known as the bodhi tree , peepul tree , peepal tree , pipala tree or ashvattha tree (in India and Nepal). The sacred fig
3776-401: The vihāra was built according to a plan sent by the devas of Tusita and contained sixty large halls and sixty small. The Vinaya-piṭaka (Dulwa in Tibetan) also gives details of the decorative scheme of the vihāra (Rockhill: op. cit.48 and n.2). All these were built by Anāthapindika; there was another large building erected by Pasenadi and called the Salalaghara (DA.ii.407). Over the gateway lived
3840-417: Was given to him by his chief male patron, Anathapindika . Jetavana is located just outside the old city of Savatthi . There was also an important vihara named Jetavana in Sri Lanka . Jetavana was the place where the Buddha gave the majority of his teachings and discourses, having stayed at Jetavana nineteen out of 45 vassas , more than in any other monastery. It is said that after the Migāramātupāsāda,
3904-472: Was hatching her paternity-fraud smear campaign against the Buddha. There seems to have been a playground just outside Jetavana used by the children of the neighbourhood, who, when thirsty, would go into Jetavana to drink (DhA.iii.492). The high road to Sāvatthi passed by the edge of Jetavana, and travellers would enter the park to rest and refresh themselves. The remains of Jetavana and Savatthi were locally known as Sahet-Mahet. Alexander Cunningham used
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#17327650920003968-410: Was one of great splendour. Not only Anāthapindika himself, but his whole family took part: his son with five hundred other youths, his wife with five hundred other noble women, and his daughters Mahā Subhaddā and Cūla Subhaddā with five hundred other maidens. Anāthapindika was attended by five hundred bankers. The festivities in connection with the dedication lasted for nine months (J.i.92ff). The vihāra
4032-429: Was planted in a golden jar by Anathapindika with great pomp and ceremony. A sapling immediately sprouted forth, fifty cubits high, and in order to consecrate it, the Buddha spent one night under it, rapt in meditation. This tree, because it was planted under the direction of Ananda , came to be known as the Ananda Bodhi. King Asoka's daughter, Sanghamitta , brought a piece of the tree with her to Sri Lanka where it
4096-442: Was used as a shrine even in the lifetime of the Buddha. Emperor Ashoka the Great was most diligent in paying homage to the Bodhi tree, and held a festival every year in its honour in the month of Kattika . His queen, Tissarakkhā , was jealous of the Tree, and three years after she became queen (i.e., in the nineteenth year of Asoka's reign), she cursed the tree to be killed by means of mandu thorns. The tree, however, grew again, and
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