The Oldest and Youngest Significant Tree

A ceremony to commemorate the inclusion of a rare sapling of the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree to the National Trust Register of Significant Trees was held at the Bendigo Great Stupa on March 22nd. This tree is a direct descendant of the scared Bodhi Tree located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka , regarded as the oldest cultivated tree in the world with a documented history of 2,800 years.

The Bodhi Tree and its’ Bendigo offspring is immensely significant to the Buddhist community and this has been formally recognised by the National Trust on our Register of Significant Trees. 

The Ficus religiosa (Bodhi Tree) has been classified at the state level of significance (T12567), and is simultaneously the youngest and oldest tree on our register, the Statement of Significance notes,

This Ficus religiosa is a direct descendant of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, which is itself a sapling of the original Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, India. This makes it part of a 2,300+ year old spiritual lineage. It is the only such descendant growing in public religious grounds in Australia, making it historically and culturally exceptional.
     

While other Ficus religiosa trees are widely found across South and Southeast Asia, and Northern Australia, most are not part of this sacred lineage.

This is the only Bodhi Tree in Australia known to be planted as part of an international religious and cultural ceremony attended by high-ranking Sri Lankan and Australian Dignitaries, and is a symbol of multicultural harmony and spiritual continuity at a national diplomatic level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The event was attended by Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, Chief Guardian of the Sacred Bodhi Tree and the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allen.

Addressing those gathered, NTAV CEO Collette Brennan spoke of the tree as a living symbol of peace, wisdom, and enduring cultural heritage. 

Feature Image: A ceremony held in Anuradhapura when the sacred sapling was sent to Bendigo. Credit: Deeptha Wickramaratna. Source: ABC

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  1. 1
    Lien Quach
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    May this youngest and oldest descendent from the original thousand of years sacred Bodhi Tree will continue to grow for thousand of years in this sacred land called Australia 🙏that will bring peace and blessings for all sentient beings to live in peace , harmony and kindness.

    May the sacred shades and leaves 🍁 that shed and fall will enlighten whoever come and sit under it with pure thoughts and prayers 🙏not only for themselves but for others in the world !
    Like the initial , original purpose of the Jade Buddha and the Stupa projects started in Millennium that I trusted and contributed with the two words at that time for ‘Universal Peace ‘ . That I was blessed and fortunate to be part of at the very beginning .

    I purely and sincerely hope and pray 🤲 🙏 that with this significant sacred Bodhi Tree will bring more peace , blessings and enlightenment to the world 🙏🤲like the Buddha once Sat under the Sacred Bodhi Tree and attained enlightenment !

    Thank you for sending through this significant information to me from trust advocate.org.au

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