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.
