Jayasri Maha Bodhi Tree: Ninth of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka

May our gratitude be extended to the Jayashree Maha Bodhi, who defeated the ten powerful mara’s, shook tens of thousands of world systems and provided shade for the Blessed Ones at the time of enlightenment.

Significance of Jayasri Maha Bodhi Tree

An extremely rare occurrence is a Buddha’s appearance in this world.
Along with the birth of the Bodhisattva, Prince Siddhartha, 7 noble things were born. Out of these noble things, the only remaining one is the Sacred Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi Tree.
It is under this great Pipal (Asathu) Tree that our Blessed One attained enlightenment, hence, it was given the name ‘Bodhi’, which means ‘Enlightenment’ or ‘Awakening.’
The Supreme Buddha’s radiance was also touched first by the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree.
On a Vesak full moon poya day, Our Supreme Buddha came to Sri Lanka for the third time and visited this holy ground.
Our Supreme Buddha then dedicated this land to the southern branch of the great Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
When our great Arahant Mihindu came to Sri Lanka, after landing on this holy ground, he offered a bunch of jasmine flowers. At that moment, the earth shook. The King investigated why this happened.The King confirmed that our Supreme Buddha’s Bodhi Tree will be placed on this holy ground.
The southern branch of the Great Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was seen by Emperor Ashoka.
Then, this sapling, on its own, was placed in a golden bowl.
The Venerable Sangamitta Theri, daughter of Emperor Ashoka, brought this sapling of the Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa.
In the presence of Arahants, including Arahant Mahinda, this sacred Bodhi tree sapling took root and was located in the great sacred ground, named Mahamevnawa Uyana in Anuradhapura.
Unfortunately, the original Bodhi Tree in India was destroyed but the One in Anuradhapura remains to this day as a direct sapling of the original Bodhi tree
It is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date

Stanza to worship Jayasri Maha Bodhi Tree

Yassa mule nisinnova
Sabbāri vijayaṃ akā
Patto sabbaṃñutaṃ sattā
Vandetaṃ bodhi pādapaṃ

I show my reverence – to this Bodhi tree – seated under which –
the Teacher attained full Enlightenment – by overcoming all defilements.

Ime ete mahā bodhī
Lokanātena pūjitā
Ahaṃpite namassāmī
Bodhi rājā namatthu te

I too honor – this great Bodhi-tree – which was honored – by the Leader of the World – My homage to thee – O King of Bodhi-trees!

Bodhi Vandana Kavi

අපගේ ගෞතම මුනිඳු උපන් දා – පොළොවෙන් මතුවුණ බෝ රජුනේ
ගෞතම මුනිඳුට සෙවණැලි සුව දුන් – වළාකුලක් වැනි බෝ රජුනේ
ගෞතම මුනිඳුගෙ සම්බුදු බලයෙන් – ලොව වැඩසිටිනා බෝ රජුනේ
දෝත නගා හිස සාදු කියා අපි – බැතියෙන් නමදිමු බෝ රජුනේ

Apage gautama munin̆du upan dā – pŏl̤ŏven matuvuṇa bo rajune
Gautama munin̆duṭa sevaṇæli suva dun – val̤ākulak væni bo rajune
Gautama munin̆duge sambudu balayen – lŏva væḍasiṭinā bo rajune
Dota nagā hisa sādu kiyā api – bætiyen namadimu bo rajune

How to Worship

You can honor our amazing teacher with lovely flowers, pure water, and scent.
After walking around the bodhi tree worship wholeheartedly with the thought “This is the generation of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi beneath which Our Great Teacher attained enlightenment. May I pay homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree…”
Clean the Bo Maluwa by collecting bo leaves with great respect.
The flower seat on which the flowers are placed should be washed with clean water.
Flowers should be offered in a beautiful way. If you like you can make a flower garland and offer it to the Bodhi Tree.
After offering everything, worship the Triple Gem with respect, chant the Ratana Sutra, Angulimala Piritha, and other sutras, practice loving kindness meditation and share merits.