Bodhi Tree

(Bo tree). Botanical name Ficus religiosa. This is a tree related to the common fig and the mulberry family. It is venerated by Buddhists because it is said that BUDDHA attained enlightenment while seated beneath one of these trees at Buddh Gaya. Buddh Gaya in India is the most important place of Buddhist pilgrimage. The bo tree at Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka was grown from a cutting from the original tree which was sent by King AŚOKA about three hundred years after the death of Buddha.

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