Postage Stamp on Bodhi Tree: Sacred Symbol of Enlightenment in Buddhism

Bodhi Tree: The Tree of Enlightenment and Spiritual Awakening

The Bodhi Tree, a sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa), holds a revered place in Buddhist tradition. It was under this tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, that Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment around 500 BCE, becoming the Buddha. The word “Bodhi” means awakening or enlightenment, and the tree has since become a universal symbol of spiritual insight, peace, and liberation.
Historical Significance

The original Bodhi Tree stood at the Mahabodhi Temple, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to Buddhist texts, the Buddha meditated beneath it for 49 days, achieving profound realization. Emperor Ashoka, a devout Buddhist, visited the site in the 3rd century BCE and built a shrine and temple around the tree, promoting it as a pilgrimage center.

Over centuries, the tree faced destruction—once by Ashoka’s queen out of jealousy, and later by invaders. However, saplings from the original tree were preserved. One such sapling was taken to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, by Ashoka’s daughter Sanghamitta, where it still thrives as the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
Symbolism and Legacy

The Bodhi Tree represents: Enlightenment: The moment of awakening from ignorance.
Resilience: Despite repeated destruction, it continues to grow.
Peace and Shelter: A refuge for seekers of truth.

Today, the Bodhi Tree is a central pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide. Devotees meditate under its shade, tie prayer flags, and collect fallen leaves as sacred relics.

 

Trivia Points About the Bodhi Tree:

• Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.
• Located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India.
• The tree is a species of sacred fig (Ficus religiosa).
• Emperor Ashoka built the first temple around it.
• The original tree was destroyed multiple times.
• A sapling was planted in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, in 288 BCE.
• The Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The tree’s heart-shaped leaves are iconic in Buddhist art.
• Known as “Bo Tree” in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
• The site is one of the four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
• The tree is also revered in Hinduism and Jainism.
• The Bodhi Tree is a symbol of mindfulness and meditation.
• Pilgrims often meditate under its shade for spiritual clarity.
• The tree is featured in Buddhist flags and emblems.
• India Post issued a commemorative stamp in 1997.