The Bo saplings from the original Bo tree…
From TheBuddhism.Net
The Bo saplings from the original Bo tree where Gauthama Buddha attained enlightenment in India, planted in Sri Lanka
Ven. Sanghamitta brought the right branch of the original Bo tree where Gauthama Buddha attained enlightenment from Bodh Gaya (Historically, Uruvela), India to Sri Lanka. There were five fruits on that branch. After it was planted in Anuradhapura, legend says that it disappeared from the eyes of humans for seven days. On the seventh day it appeared with its five boughs and five fruits. When Arahanth Mahinda raised his palm, the fruit from the eastern bough fell on to it. It was given to King Devanampiyatissa who reined the country at the time. He planted it in a golden vat and instantly, eight saplings sprouted from it. Those eight saplings were planted in the following places and some of them are still there.
- Dambakola Patuna (Jaffna) – where Theri Sanghamitta disembarked – Nothern Sri Lanka
- Thiwakka Brahmi Village (Thanthirimale) – North Central Province of Sri Lanka
- Thuparama (Anuradhapura) – North Central Province of Sri Lanka
- Kasungira Vehera (Isurumuniya) – North Central Province of Sri Lanka
- Patamaka chethiya at the Eastern gate of ancient Anuradhapura Cit – North Central Province of Sri Lanka
- Sagiriya (Mihinthale) – North Central Province of Sri Lanka
- Katharagama (Behind the famous shrine for God Skanda) – Southern Sri Lanka
- Sandungama – Southern Sri Lanka
From the other four fruits, eight saplings sprang up from each making 32 saplings all together. They were planted in the following areas.
- Ambalawa Rahathgal Vehera – Kurunegala District – North Western Sri Lanka
- Beligala Raja Maha Viharaya – Balangoda – Sabaragamuwa Province, sri Lanka
- Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya – Western Sri Lanka
- Mal Wassa Vehera, Horepola, Godakawela – Sabaragamuwa Province, sri Lanka
- Thanthirimale – North Central Province of Sri Lanka
- Polonnaruwa – Central Province of Sri Lanka
- Mahajallika Kewulgama (Unknown, in the coastal area of Sri Lanka)
- Kottiyarama (Seruwila/ Somapura area) – Eastern Sri Lanka
- Matale,Rusigama – Central Province of Sri Lanka
- Magama – Southern Sri Lanka
- Wilwala – Central Province of Sri Lanka
- Mahiyangana – Eastern Sri Lanka
- Wilgam Vehera – Eastern Sri Lanka
- Happoruwa Vehera, Buththala – Uva Province of Sri Lanka
- Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara, Badulla – Uva Province of Sri Lanka
- Sithul Pawwa -Southern Sri Lanka
- Wanawasa Vehera, Tangalle – Southern Sri Lanka
- Agrabodhi Raja Maha Vihara, Weligama – Southern Sri Lanka
- Paragoda Raja Maha Vihara, Imaduwa, Galle – Southern Sri Lanka
- Maddegama Raja maha Vihara, Dompe – Western Sri Lanka
- Ganegama Raja maha Vihara, Rathnapura – Sabaragamuwa Province, sri Lanka
- Pusulpitiya Raja maha Vihara, Kothmale – Central Province of Sri Lanka
- Wathura Raja maha Vihara, Kegalle – Sabaragamuwa Province, sri Lanka
- Wanduramba – North Western Sri Lanka
- Ras Vehera, Sasseruwa Raja maha Vihara, Galgamuwa – North Western Sri Lanka
- Wattarama Raja maha Vihara (Maliyadewa Arahath Raja maha Vihara), Kegalle – Sabaragamuwa Province, sri Lanka
- Sulugalla Raja Maha Vihara, Hulugalle -North Western Sri Lanka
- Ath Kanda Raja Maha Vihara, Kurunegala – North Western Sri Lanka
- Katiyawa -North Western Sri Lanka
- Giriba Weragala Vehera, Galgamuwa – North Western Sri Lanka
- Sundaragiri Rock, Yapahuwa – North Western Sri Lanka
- Kasagalu Vehera
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Wish I could see the image of buddhas on the leaves at Kumbum Monastery. That would be truly awesome too.
It is interesting to read about the history behind how the Bo saplings went from Bodhgaya to Sri Lanka. I have always thought the Bodhi tree to have tremendous significance since Buddha Shakyamuni gained enlightenment at the base of one of these trees. I never thought i would see Bodhi trees in Malaysia until there was one at Tsem Rinpoche’s house in Bandar Utama, and wherever Rinpoche has stayed, somehow a Bodhi tree will magically manifest. Read this for more information – http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/etc/wherever-i-stay-this-is-what-happens.html
This tree is very sacred and apparently, a sapling from this tree had been taken from it and brought back to India and replanted in Bodhgaya to replace the uprooted tree. Well, like what they say about the Buddha and everything he had used are imbued with his enlightened energy. And this must be true since it contains his energy as he sat under its shady boughs to become full enlightened. Making pilgrimage to glean a blessing is exceptionally beneficial for this life and the next because making prayers, offerings, prostrations and so forth helps us to connect with the Buddha’s energy contained within.