Bodhi Tree

Bodhi Tree -The Tree of Enlightenment

When we think of nature, we think of trees more than anything else. When we think about the nature of mind we should think of the Bodhi tree. Bodhi is the Pali word which stands for enlightenment. Buddha was enlightened while he was meditating under a bodhi tree.

For centuries, trees have provided shade and shelter for all beings -man and the beast alike. To most Asians (and Indians in particular), all trees are sacred. In many South East Asian countries, many trees are worshipped -the Banyan and Bodhi tree in particular.

Both Banyan and Bo trees belong to the same family. The Banyan tree is sacred to Hindus. The Bodhi tree or the tree of enlightenment sacred tree to the Buddhists. The Bo-tree is known by many names to Indians -Ashwatha, Peepal (Pipal), Jari. For Buddhists, the tree is associated with Buddha. Both Banyan and Bo trees belong to same family. Here's the scientific classification of these two trees.

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Type         Bodhi Tree      Banyan Tree
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Kingdom      Plantae           Plantae
Division     Magnoliophyta     Magnoliophyta
Class        Magnoliopsida     Magnoliopsida
Order        Urticales         Urticales
Family       Moraceae          Moraceae
Genus        Ficus             Ficus
Species      religoisa         benghalensis
Binomial
Nomenclature Ficus religiosa   Ficus benghalensis
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Plantae: All Plants -Living or extinct (include herbs, shrubs and trees etc are living things which (generally) do not move

Magnoliophyta -comprising flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed in an ovary; in some systems considered a class (Angiospermae) and in others a division (Magnoliophyta or Anthophyta)Magnoliopsida: class

Magnoliopsida -comprising seed plants that produce an embryo with paired cotyledons and net-veined leaves; divided into six (not always well distinguished) subclasses (or superorders): Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae (considered primitive); Caryophyllidae (an early and distinctive offshoot); and three more or less advanced groups: Dilleniidae; Rosidae; Asteridae Urticales -an order of dicotyledonous plants including Moraceae and Urticaceae and Ulmaceae

Moraceae -trees or shrubs having a milky juice; in some classifications includes genus Cannabis

Ficus -large genus of tropical trees or shrubs or climbers including fig trees


Buddha, while in search of enlightenment meditated under many trees. But it was under this tree, he got enlightened. To most Buddhists, the tree itself represent the enlightenment and is sacred. The tree is always planted next to Buddhist temples and Viharas. This explains its botanical name ficus religiosa.

When you go to the Vihara the next time, make it a point to locate the Bo tree in the temple garden and note that it may be the sapling from the original Bo tree under which Buddha was enlightened. Make that spiritual connection all the way back to Buddha.

Bodhi tree is fairly large and a fast growing and with a large canopy. It can grow anywhere between 60-70 ft in height and has a dense canopy of about 70ft in diameter. They can completely cover the Sun and nothing can grow under this tree. The most noteworthy feature of this tree is the very attractive leathery-dark-green-heart shaped leaves with its slender and a very long leaf tip. The Bo tree has purple figs.

The tree is very long lived and there is one tree near Bombay which is supposed to be about 3000 years old. The tree has nice shape and form :-) I am putting the smilie here with a reason .. for according to Heart Sutra form is emptiness and emptiness is form! The branches of this tree can transform themselves in to roots and new tree can sprout from these gradually. Even if the original tree decays, the branches underneath can grow and become trees. It is not without reason, it is called the tree of life.

The tree has medicinal properties. For centuries, the bark, the leaf and the fruit are used for to cure various health problems. It is used for dog bites, ear-ache, fever, heart attack, blood pressure, toothache and treating the wound. The ripe fruits of the Bo tree are edible. (To know more about the Medicinal properties of this tree visit http://www.buddhamind.info/leftside/arty/ficus.htm)

The tree is native to India and much of South East Asia. The tree also grows in many other countries as well. Buddha got enlightened under a Bo Tree and a descendant of that tree is still growing in Bodh Gaya, India. Pilgrims from all over the world, who visit Gaya, make it a point to pay respects to the Bo tree and meditate under the tree.

Cuttings from this tree has been transplanted all over the world. The first ever transplanted sapling was taken to Sri Lanka by Mahinda and Sangahamitta in 247 BC, Ashoka's son Mahinda and daughter Sangamitta. That tree or it's descendent can be seen today at Anuradhapura. This tree has the distinction of providing cuttings/saplings to most Buddhist temples in the world. This tree is perhaps the oldest documented and historical tree in the world. A decendent of this tree can be seen at Sitagu Vihara.

The original Bo tree at Gaya has been destroyed deliberately at least thrice. It is said that Ashoka's young wife, who he married in his later years, angered by the devotion shown by Ashoka to the tree, tried to destroy it once. She ordered the tree felled and had it cut into pieces. New saplings came out where the old tree stood and the tree survived. A decendent of this tree is also growing at Sitagu Vihara.

Pushyamitra, the Brahminical King of Sunga dynasty (who came to power deposing the last Mauryan King Brihadratha) destroyed it during 2nd Century BC. The Shaivite King of Bengal, Sasanka tried to destroy the tree in 7th Century AD. Sasanka is said to have ordered the roots to be dug out so that it won't sprout again. This event has been recorded by the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Huen Tsang. In all the cases the tree survived.

The tree also has been destroyed by mother nature. In every case, a new tree came up from the saplings. The current tree was planted by a British Archaeologist in 1881 with descendent of the original tree. The tree at Gaya is the fourth descendent of the original tree.

All over the world, Buddhists revere the Bodhi tree. This act of piety should not to be confused with tree worship. It should be noted that when they bow to the Bo tree, they are not bowing to the Bo tree, or to to the tree spirits but they do to the spirit the Bo tree represents.

To Buddhists, the Bodhi tree, even a single (bodhi) leaf, is a symbol of Buddha's enlightenment. It is a symbol that reminds them of of their own innate potential to attain enlightenment. A reminder that they too can become a Buddha!

References:
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http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/
http://www.homeoint.org/seror/patho1900/ficusrelig.htm
http://www.buddhamind.info/leftside/arty/ficus.htm

Note: The photograph in this page come from the Bodhi Tree, Sitagu Vihara, Austin, TX. Please do pick up your bodhi leaf (from 2005-6) from the Shrnine Room of the Vihara before you leave.