Sri Lanka, Day 5
August 1, 2025
At the break of dawn, before the sun had even risen, our group set out for the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to pay homage to the Great Bodhi Tree, now over 2,300 years old. All members of the group, both monks and lay devotees, were blessed with the rare opportunity to enter and behold it with our own eyes and pay our deepest respects. This was a once-in-a-lifetime event that brought boundless joy to all of us.
This Bodhi Tree originated from a branch of the original Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. It was sent as a gift by King Asoka to King Devanampiya Tissa of Sri Lanka in 247 BCE. At that time, Princess Sanghamittā, the daughter of King Asoka and also an Arahant Bhikkhunī, traveled to Sri Lanka to establish the Bhikkhunī Sangha and brought this Bodhi branch with her, planting it in Anuradhapura. Throughout more than two millennia, the tree has withstood the test of time and is revered as the Sri Maha Bodhi—the Auspicious Great Bodhi Tree—becoming a sacred national treasure of Sri Lanka.
At this sacred site, our delegation respectfully paid homage to the Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thero, Chief Custodian of the Eight Sacred Sites in Anuradhapura, Chief Sanghanāyaka of the Nuwara Kalaviya region, and Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Stupa. We humbly presented our aspiration to build the Dhammacetiya Complex and earnestly requested to receive a Bodhi tree sapling propagated from the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. After listening attentively, the Venerable
Elder expressed deep joy and appreciation for our noble aspiration and the mission to propagate the Dhamma.
The Venerable Elder expounded:
“Since the time of the Buddha, the Dhamma has been transmitted orally, then inscribed on palm leaves, printed in books, stored in machines and digital networks… yet all these are subject to impermanence. Now, a young Bhikkhu has made a solemn vow to establish a stupa complex inscribed with the scriptures on stone and metal, returning to the ancient tradition. This is an extraordinary endeavor, a most precious way of preserving the Dhamma that few have ever considered.”
The Venerable Elder emphasized that engraving the scriptures in ten languages representing Buddhist nations is an immense undertaking—one that requires the utmost care and precision, allowing no room for error. With great compassion, he offered his heartfelt blessings and praise, fully supporting the endeavor from the depths of his heart, and prayed that this noble aspiration would soon be brought to perfect fulfillment.
The Government and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Society also joyfully pledged their support and respectfully offered a Bodhi tree sapling propagated from the original sacred Bodhi Tree, to be enshrined at the Dhammacetiya in Texas, USA. The presence of the Bodhi Tree is like having the living presence of the Buddha. Paying homage to the Bodhi Tree is akin to paying homage to the Blessed One. The planting of this sacred Bodhi Tree within the Dhammacetiya Complex is a rare and profoundly meaningful event, worthy of the highest reverence.
Immediately following was the ceremonial procession to receive the Bodhi sapling, conducted in the presence of the Sangha, government representatives, and a group known as the Master of Rituals—ritual specialists responsible for formally informing the Devas and guardian spirits about the act of propagation and the offering of the sacred Bodhi branch. After the blessing ceremony, the Bodhi sapling was reverently presented to the monastic inner circle and then formally handed over to the designated recipient.
In the presence of a large gathering of monks and lay devotees, the sacred Bodhi sapling was ceremoniously handed over from Bhante Medhankara and Bhante Siriratana to Venerable Paññākāra Tuệ Nhân, who had made the heartfelt vow to receive and escort the tree to be planted at the Dhammacetiya Complex. Accompanying this sacred mission were the Most Venerable Ratanaguṇa Bửu Đức and the Most Venerable Wimalakitti.
That sacred moment stirred deep emotion in the hearts of the delegation, while countless Sri Lankan devotees were moved with profound reverence. The Bodhi tree was solemnly escorted into the inner sanctum of the Sanghanāyaka Thero’s residence, each step taken with serenity and purity. The air resounded with drums and trumpets, blending with chants of blessing and the joyful participation of the lay community. From young children to the elderly, everyone longed to touch the Bodhi tree, as if reaching out to touch the very body of the Buddha.
At last, the Most Venerable Sanghanāyaka Thero personally handed the sacred Bodhi tree to our humble teacher and disciples. From hand to hand, from heart to heart, the Bodhi tree was passed on, a living symbol of the Dhamma being transmitted from one generation to the next. Our hearts blossomed like flowers. Our minds radiated bright like the morning sun.
We humbly express our deepest gratitude for this sacred and auspicious occasion.
May the Devas and all beings rejoice in the merit we have been so fortunate to receive today.
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!
Part 2
That same afternoon, the delegation paid respects to the Mahanayaka Thero and the Nayaka Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter and presented the purpose of the visit. The Venerable Theros listened with delight and offered their blessings for the project. The Mahanayaka Thero graciously accepted the invitation to attend next year’s Grand Ceremony.
The outcome regarding the request to receive Sacred Relics will be announced at a later time.
#buddhism #tangkinhthanhdien #buocchanhanhgia #sbsstupas #dhammacetiya #chuahuongdao #sutuenhan #pannakara #srilanka #relics