![]() Lord Buddha’s Enlightenment under Bodhi Tree Gautama Buddha had strictly practised asceticism for 6 years in the vicinity of the Niranjana River near Bodh Gaya. But when he realized that this asceticism was not leading to true consciousness, he stopped spending his life as an ascetic. When he came to the adjoining village of Senani, he was served milk rice by a Brahmin girl named ‘Sujata’. Reinforced by this food, he took some kusha grass and used it as a mat to sit underneath the Peepal Tree (now called the Bodhi Tree) facing the east direction. He was resolute not to leave the place before gaining enlightenment. As he sat in profound contemplation, Maya, the Lord of Illusion, representing the illusions that lie beneath every person’s mind, continuously endeavoured to distract him from reaching his goal. Gautama then took recourse to the earth, calling it to bear testimony to the innumerable good values that led him to this place of enlightenment. The earth trembled to authenticate the genuineness of his words. Although Maya let loose his army of devils on Gautama to divert and entice him from his purpose, he conquered the inner barriers and emerged a winner by transforming the demons weapons into flowers by the power of his compassion. In the process, his mind became entirely subdued. Even after the passage of 7 days after attaining enlightenment, the Buddha continued with his meditation without getting up. For 2 weeks more, the Buddha’s contemplation went on. Legends of Bodhi Tree ![]() Religious Importance of Bodhi Tree The term "Bodhi Tree" is also commonly used for presently existing trees, particularly the sacred Fig growing at the Mahabodhi Temple, which is probably a direct progeny of the initial variety. This tree is very often visited by pilgrims, and is the most important of the four consecrated sites of the Buddhists. Other hallowed Bodhi trees, which have a great importance in the history of Buddhism, are the "Anandabodhi Tree" in Sravasti and the Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura. While the Buddha was still alive, in order that the people might make their offerings in the name of the Buddha when he was away on pilgrimage, he certified the planting of a seed from the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya in front of the gateway of Jetavana Monastery near Sravasti. With this intention Moggallana took a fruit from the tree as it dropped from its stalk, before it arrived at the ground. Anathapindika placed it in a golden jar with great splendour and ceremony. A sap instantaneously sprouted forth, fifty cubits high, and in order to sanctify it the Buddha spent one night under it, rapt in contemplation. This tree, because it was planted under the supervision of Ananda, came to be recognized as the "Ananda Bodhi". The current Bodhi Tree still carry out a very significant job for Buddhists of all traditions, being a reminder and an inspiration, an emblem of peace, of Buddha’s enlightenment and of the eventual prospective that lies within us all. During the yearly celebrations of "Vaishakha", thousands of people from all over India would come to this place to smear the roots of the sanctified Bodhi Tree with fragrant water and perfumed milk, and to offer flowers and music. |
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