As part of his official visit to Sri Lanka, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (April 6) paid homage at the revered Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple in the historic city of Anuradhapura. Sharing moments from his visit on social media platform X, the Prime Minister posted images of the sacred Bodhi tree and wrote, “It is a living symbol of peace, enlightenment, and spiritual continuity. May the teachings of Lord Buddha always guide us.”
The Significance of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree
The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree is recognized as the world’s oldest living cultivated plant. It is believed to have sprouted from a branch of the original Bodhi tree under which Siddhartha Gautama—later known as Lord Buddha—attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya, present-day Bihar, India. This sacred branch was brought to Sri Lanka by Sanghamitta (also known as Sanghamitra), a Buddhist nun and daughter of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.
Sanghamitta’s arrival in Sri Lanka with the sapling remains a culturally significant event and is commemorated annually through the Uduvapa Poya festival, held on a full moon night in December.
Anuradhapura: A Buddhist and Cultural Legacy
The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree, along with the many ancient Buddhist shrines located in Anuradhapura, continues to draw thousands of pilgrims each year. The city itself holds immense historical importance. Now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Anuradhapura served as the political and religious capital of ancient Ceylon for over 1,300 years before being abandoned in 993 CE following an invasion by the Chola Empire of South India.
According to UNESCO, “Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993 CE. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, is now accessible once again.”
The Buddhist Mission to Sri Lanka
Sanghamitta’s journey to Sri Lanka was initiated on the suggestion of her brother Mahendra (or Mahinda) and the invitation of the Sri Lankan king. During Emperor Ashoka’s reign, the Third Buddhist Council convened and resolved to dispatch emissaries to propagate Buddhism across various regions, including Gandhara, Kashmir, South India, Hellenistic kingdoms, and Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan mission, led by Ashoka’s son Mahinda, proved especially successful. Mahinda met with King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura and converted him to Buddhism. As interest in Buddhism grew among the royal women, Mahinda requested his sister Sanghamitta to come to Sri Lanka to ordain them into the monastic order. Both Mahinda and Sanghamitta settled in Anuradhapura and spent the remainder of their lives there.
The Enduring Legacy of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree has withstood the test of time through careful preservation and the natural resilience of the Ficus religiosa species, which is capable of regenerating from roots and seeds. However, the tree has not been without threats. In 1929, it was subject to an act of vandalism when a man attempted to cut it down. More tragically, in 1985, Tamil Tiger (LTTE) militants launched an attack in the vicinity of the tree, killing 146 people in a brutal massacre.
What About the Mahabodhi Tree in India?
The original Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, under which the Buddha meditated, was reportedly destroyed—some legends attribute this to Ashoka’s wife, Tishyarakshita. However, the current Bodhi tree standing at the Mahabodhi Temple in Gaya is believed to be a direct descendant, grown from the same genetic line as the original.
