Encyclopedia > Bodhi tree
Bodhi tree
| Bodhi | ||||||||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial nomenclature | ||||||||||||||
| Ficus religiosa | ||||||||||||||
| Ref: ITIS 506545 (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=506545) |
The Bodhi (or short Bo) or Peepul tree (Ficus religiosa), is a fig species and the sacred tree for Buddhists.
The most famous Bodhi tree is located about 60 miles from Patna in the Indian state of Bihar, under which Gautama Buddha, spiritual teacher and founder of Buddhism, arrived at Bodhi (lit. (supreme) knowledge, Enlightenment).
The tree is a frequent tourist destination for pilgrims since it is next to the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, one of four holy sites to Buddhists. It was while meditating under this tree (mentioned as Assattha in the Tipitaka) that Siddhartha Gautama achieved Nirvana. Therefore, the sacred Bo-tree or tree of wisdom is considered sacred and symbolic to Buddhists.
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