Bodhi-puja (Salutation to the Bo-tree) and its Significance

Buddhists have three main symbols for the veneration of the Lord Buddha. With these three worshiping objects in a Buddhist temple only then it is considered as a complete temple. Temples with none of these three places for veneration are said to be incomplete. They are called  “Tividha-caitya” (three types of objects for worshiping), namely;

      

I.           Sārīrika-caitya (physical worshiping object; truth relics, hairs, etc.)

II.         Uddesika-caitya (object of worshiping; now days Buddha statues)

III.       P āribhogika-caitya (used worshiping object; Bo-tree, bowl, robe etc.)

These are the three main objects used as symbols to worship the Buddha. The Enlightened One realized the truth under the tree called ‘Assattana’. Soon after he attained Buddha-hood he was looking at it for seven days with un-blinking eyes with respect, to the tree which sheltered him. It was the first Bodhi-puja and since this veneration the tree ‘Assattana’ is named as ‘Bo-tree’. ‘Bo’ is the short form of the word ‘Bodhi’ (Buddha) which means Enlightenment, insight wisdom, awakening.

Once when the Buddha was not in the temple a number of people came to pay homage to him. But they left because of his absence in the temple. Venerable Ananda reported about this unhappiness. The Buddha then ordered Venerable Ananda to plant a sapling of Bo-tree at the temple so that people could venerate when he is not around, the same way as to the Buddha. This symbolism was later confirmed by the Buddha when he recommended the planting of the Bodhi-tree at Jetavana for worshiping and offerings during his absence.  Latter, this is known as Ananda-bodhi.

Offering, veneration and chanting under Bo-tree and feeding it with water, cleaning around, are more powerful blessings for everyone who have great devotion towards the Buddha. It is commonly observed in the Buddhist culture to have building protection wall with golden fence and Buddha statues around Bo-tree for its protection. This makes good understanding among Buddhists and non-Buddhists that the Buddha gained Enlightenment under the Bo-tree.   In fact, The Buddhists also have come to believe that even powerful deities inhabit the Bodhi-trees that receive worship.

You are able to accumulate many blessings by performing Bodh-puja and chanting under the Bodhi-tree. Some of them as follow;

       I.            Worshiping Triple Gem or Lord Buddha: Increase life span, pleasant body color, attain properties, gain luxury life & gain powers in this life and next life. Any unlucky person becomes lucky one, if he or she correctly worships Lord Buddha every day.

    II.            Offer flowers: Become popular and polite person to everyone in heaven & human world. Offer white flowers especially help to attain Divine-Eye. 

 III.            Offer bulbs & light lamps: Get Divine-Eye, and attains wisdom, radiate long body aura and attain healthy eyes.

  IV.            Offer fragrance & light incense sticks: Become popular and pleasant person with good precepts. Attain good Samadhi concentration in meditations. 

     V.            Offer water: Become leader with pleasant body color, long lifetime, luxury, followers, powers, and can satisfy all body pleasures or likenesses.

  VI.            Offer herbal drinks: Attain long lifetime, have body energy, wise, nice body color, earn followers, have luxury, get rid from enemies, get rid from natural disasters, get respect from others and get rid from losing of desired things.

VII.           Offer meals: Attain long lifetime, nice body color, gain luxury life, gain powers & wisdom.

VIII.        Offer porridge: Attain long lifetime, nice skin color, gain luxury life, gain powers, have healthy body, understand Dharma easily, wisdom & get every meals easily in anytime.

  IX.            Offer flags: Rebirth in higher societies among heaven or human world, can learn music or dance or other art related subjects easily & become popular person.

     X.            Offer five pleasant sounds: Can learn music or dance or other art subjects easily & become popular among heaven or human world.

  XI.            Cleaning areas in temples, stupas & Bodi trees: Rebirth with full healthy body & organs, get gold color skin, get soft skin, strong body, long life time, earn popularity, get rid from skin sicknesses, gods become attract to you, repel enemies and develop wisdom.