Bodhirukkha

Bodhirukkha is a term used in Pali and Sinhala to refer to the sacred fig tree, Ficus religiosa, that is revered in Buddhism as the Bodhi tree, the tree of awakening. In Buddhist tradition the original Bodhi tree is believed to be the one under which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, in present-day India. Many temples and sites maintain bodhirukkha that are said to be descendants or cuttings from that sacred tree, reinforcing the symbol of enlightenment across Buddhist cultures.

The most widely known bodhirukkha outside India is the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. This sacred fig was brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE by Mahinda, a son of Emperor Ashoka, and planted in 288 BCE as a cutting from the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya. It is considered one of the oldest living human-planted trees and serves as a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists, attracting visitors throughout the year.

Botanically, Ficus religiosa is a large evergreen or semi-evergreen tree with a broad crown. Its leaves are distinctive, heart-shaped with a long, pointed tip, and it bears small figs. The tree often develops aerial roots and a sturdy trunk, and it thrives in tropical climates where it is commonly found in temple gardens and sacred groves.

Culturally, bodhirukkha symbolize the possibility of awakening and are central to Buddhist ritual and devotion. Offerings, prayers, circumambulation, and ceremonial care are common practices around these trees, and they are celebrated in various Buddhist festivals and observances that honor the enlightenment narrative.