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The
coming of the Bodhi tree
Amidst the blessings of Emperor Asoka, Theri Sangamitta boarded
the ship, which the Lankan minister, Arittha too had embarked
on. There were also the people who belonged to 18 different castes,
based on the crafts they followed. The ship sailed along the river
Ganges and entered the sea. On the same day, the ship reached
Jambukola. Jambukola of ancient times is present Kankasanthurai,
in the Jaffna peninsula.
- The whole
of Lanka was preparing for great celebrations. Anuradhpura and
Jambukola were both highly decorated. The people had gathered
with so much devotion. A huge hall was erected on the shore of
Jambukola. It was named ‘Samudrasara’ Hall. King Devanampiya
Tissa occupied a special seat in the hall. All who gathered there
were focusing their attention on the sea, awaiting the arrival
of the Bodhi.
The entire crowd shouted out as they saw the ship approaching.
The king got up from his seat and walked towards the shore. In
the midst of cheers from all the onlookers, the ship was nearing
the shore. The king stepped into the water and walked as far as
the water reached his neck. He kept the Bodhi on his head and
walked back ashore.
- There was
non-stop cheering. The king entered the hall and placed the Bodhi
in the special place arranged for it. The people gathered around
to pay their respects to the Bodhi. The king and Theri Sangamitta
, then led the procession carrying the Bodhi. On either side of
the route, there stood thousands of people, paying respects to
the Bodhi.
- The procession
carrying the Bodhi had to cover a long route to satisfy the crowds
gathered along the way. After reaching Anuradhapura, it was planted
in the Mahamevna Park. Endless were the devotees who came to worship
the Bodhi. Queen Anula obtained ordination from Theri Sangamitta.
She became the first Buddhist nun (bikkhuni) of Lanka.
-
 King
Devanam-piya Tissa started building temples for the Buddhist nuns.
A special temple was built for Theri Sangamitta. Meanwhile minister
Arittha too entered the Order of Monks. According to the Mahavamsa,
eight shoots had sprung up from the Bodhi.
- Jambukola
Pattana, Thivakka, Isurumuniya, the court of the first stupa,
Sigiriya, Kataragama, Thuparama and Chandanagama are the eight
places where the shoots were planted. It is in the eighteenth
year of Emperor Asoka’s rule, that the Bodhi was brought
to Sri Lanka. Twelve years later, his chief queen, Asandimitta
passed away.
- Emperor
Asoka was deeply moved by the death of his queen. He did a lot
of meritorious activities and conferred merit on her. After some
time, Asoka raised Nissarakka to the rank of queen. She was very
pretty and much younger to him. The emperor could not enjoy life
with her. He became unhappy. He spent most of his time paying
obeisance to the Bodhi.
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