King Vasabha (65 - 107 AD) placed four Buddha statues in four side of the sacred tree. Several ancient kings have contributed in developing this religious site. In 288 BC it was planted by King Devanampiya Tissa on a high terrace about 6.5 m (21.3 ft) above the ground in the Mahamevnāwa Park in Anuradhapura and surrounded by railings. In the 3rd century BC, it was brought to Sri Lanka by SangamittaTheri (Pali Skt.: Sanghamitra), the daughter of Emperor Asoka and founder of an order of Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka. Bodi Puja Wandana Kavi History Ī Photo taken from the Lower Compound, Pahatha Maluwa. They strongly believe that such offerings lead to a sustained paddy production with the least sufferings from drought as well as pest attacks, including elephant damage. It has also been a long tradition among farmers around Anuradhapura to offer the Sri Maha Bodhi tree the rice prepared from their first paddy harvest. It has also been customary for many Buddhists to make a special vow before the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi for the safe delivery of their babies without malformations and for many other cures. The Buddhists in general have a strong belief that offerings made to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi have produced significant and positive changes in their life. The caretaker of this site provides various offerings on a daily basis. It is an annual custom for pilgrims from far-away villages to visit the city of Anuradhapura and to pay homage to the Sri Maha Bodhi. Religious and social significance īuddhists in the Island have had a practice of visiting and paying homage to the most sacred Bodhi tree. Only construction that obviously will not harm the tree will be allowed. In April 2014, the government banned all construction within 500 meters of the tree. The other fig trees that surround the sacred tree protect it from storms and animals such as monkeys, bats, etc. Today it is one of the most sacred relics of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and respected by Buddhists all over the world. It is said to be the southern branch from the historical Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.It was planted in 288 BC, and is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi (Sinhala: ජය ශ්රී මහා බොධිය) is a sacred fig tree in the Mahamewna Gardens, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
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