JAYA SHRI MAHA BODHI

(SACRED BODHI TREE IN SRI LANKA)

Jaya Shri Maha Bodhi Tree is situated in Anuradhapura, which is the capital city of North Central Province of Sri Lanka.  It is said to be the southern branch of the Shri Maha Bodhi at Buddhagya, India, which is known as the oldest tree in the world.  It is, also, known as the "Sacred Bodhi Tree", under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.  Some says that this is a sapling of sacred Jaya Shri Maha Bodhi of Buddha Gaya in India.  Whatever, it is belonging to the Sacred Bodhi Tree, under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. 

After Arahath Mahinda, who was the son of King Asoka, then emperor of India, brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka from India, King Devanampiyatissa requested King Asoka to send some sacred treasure of Lord Buddha from India, under Arahath Mahinda's advice.  So, the King Asoka sent his daughter, Sangamitta Therani, who is the sister of  Mahinda with the branch of Shri Maha Bodhi Tree to Sri Lanka by a beautiful ship.  She has been first landed at  "Mathagal", a village situated in the Jaffna Peninsula and handed - over the plant to King Devanampiyatissa.   

This sapling planted in the "Mahamewna Park" in Anuradhapura by the King Devanampiyatissa, while chanting "seth pirith" by the Buddhist Monks, with a great ceremony, in the presence of large number of assemblage with royal guests.  This sapling was planted in Anuradhapura 247 years before Christ was born and on an "Uduvap Full Moon Poya Day" in the month of December.  This was planted in the 3rd century B.C.   It was planted on a high terrace of 6.5 meters from the ground and surrounded by railings to protect from wild elephants.  It is recorded in the ancient Pali and Sinhala Books that eight seedlings from this tree were planted in eight selected places in Sri Lanka and one at the "Dambakola Patuna", where Sri Sangamitta Thera landed with this plant.  

Several Kings in Sri Lanka took several steps of protection of this Sacred Tree, by putting up a wall and a water canal around it.  At present, the canal is not to be seen, but there is a Golden Fence around the Sacred Tree.  Other fig trees also give the full security to this Sacred Tree, by storms and other animals, such as monkey, bats, etc.  

This Sacred Tree "the Shri Maha Bodhi" in Anuradhapura is known as the oldest tree in the world, with a recorded history of 2260 years. This Sacred Tree is very worthy and a leading light to Buddhists in Sri Lanka and all around the world.  We can be proud, as a nation that the oldest tree is situated in our country - Sri Lanka.  

It had some illnesses some years back and then government has taken immediate measures to treat the sacred tree by the foreign phytologists.  This Sacred Tree is a Great Mature Giant for our nation and the country.  It is like the heart of Buddhists.  Buddhists are keeping Bodhi poojas, offering milk rice, worshiping with flowers, oil lamps, making vows and telling all of their enormous problems to this sacred tree, as if telling to an existing Lord Buddha.  They make several wishes under this Sacred Tree, with a belief that their wishes will be fulfilled.  There are a plenty of worshipers are going there through - out the year and observing precept (Atasil) on the full moon poya days here.  This Sacred Tree is very famous all over the planet.   It is our - Sri Lankans duty and responsibility to protect this dignitary tree for the future!  

Long Life JAYA SHRI MAHA BODHI !!!   

**Abstracted some phrases from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaya_Sri_Maha-Bodhi and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangamitta and Junior Observer of 15th December, 2015.

- Mrs. Shrimal C. Wickremasinghe - 

Young Age

Young age is also a marvelous age in the life.  Youngsters are full of strength, energy and courage.  They try to explore the world with eagerness and with enthusiasm.  Their hearts are full of love.  They can award a lot of things to the world by learning and gaining experience. 

They should listen to their parents, elders and the society.  They can make a huge change in the planet.  They should not go after wrong.  They should try to be honest, faithful and dutiful.  They are the future of the world. 

The adults should not find wrong in their activities always.  They should not be criticized and their actions should be welcome and if there are any mistakes, they should be taught correctness of their activities. 

Young blood is aggressive.  But, it can be calm by loving them and welcome them, as they are into the society.  Like adults, they do not have much experience in life, but nowadays, they are the genius of the current world and new fields like technology, computing and science.  So, adults should learn from them the new fields and must teach them the value of the good behaviour.  Also, they should be taught and made them listen to the adults and make the world better by learning from the adults' life experience ! 

We must understand the needs of the young.  We must convince them that they are part of the world and they are the leaders of the world tomorrow.  We must make them to understand their position in the present context properly and accurately.  Afterwards, we should give them remarkable roles for them to achieve their goals.  Young are the strength of one's nation and country.   Likewise, every country must have a good and better young people to make their country a rose garden, without hassle, war and unnecessary battles. 

HAPPY YOUNG AGE !!!


- Mrs. Shrimal Champika Wickremasinghe - 

SMALL AGE

Small age is the fantastic age in one's life.  There is no any responsibility.  Everyone pass the small age and come to young age and olden age.  When you arrive the old age only, you realize how fun was the small age.

When we were small, we had a fine time.  We were like free birds.  We ran after butterflies.  We danced like life never ends and time will never pass - away.  Parents provided all we need and we only had to consume whatever they give to us.  We had to go to school in a certain age and read.  We thought in that time, it was the difficult period.  But, when you reach to the olden age, you know the value of the small age.  

Our parents, adults and all the other people loves children.  They admire what we do and act. Children are the angles in this world.  They love everyone and each other.  They do not have any grudges against anybody.  Their minds are very beautiful, mild and pure like flowers.  They love drawing, dancing and music.  They love to play immensely.  

Sometimes, children teach good things to the adults.  They teach adults to keep away the anger and hatred from one's life.  They teach adults to make friends, amidst the differences of religion, race and creed.  Their hearts are full of love and kindness.  They have pure and open minds.  They never treat people according to their financial situations.  

It is our duty to help them to carry - on their good behaviour through-out their lives.  Also, we must support them to keep - up their love and kindness along their path. We must teach them that there is no difference in between races and all are human beings.  Therefore, every one should be treated in the same equal way.  

Adults have to help small ones to keep - up happiness and joy through - out their way of lives.  We have to help them to understand and face ups and downs in the life in a positive mood.  Then they should have sense of humour along their lives.  It will help them enormously in their long run.  We must think of contributing best things to their small age to make them happy, as that age will never come in their lives again.  It is our - adults' duty and responsibility to provide a peaceful and loving atmosphere for small ones to enjoy their precious small age!!!

Happy Small Age!!!  

- Mrs. Shrimal C. Wickremasinghe -