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The Bodhi tree is a plant of the Moraceae family, with a straight trunk and gray bark. The crown is wavy and round with hanging aerial roots. Distributed in China: Bodhi tree [1] is a large evergreen tree belonging to the family Moraceae and Ficus genus. It is 25-35m high, with a huge crown and a diameter of up to 30m. The bark is yellow-white or gray, smooth or slightly ribbed, with a broad crown; the trunk is uneven. The branches have aerial roots, drooping like whiskers, most of the side branches expand to all sides, the crown is round or obovate, the branches and leaves are sparse, and the ground is covered with dense shade. Single leaves alternate, heart-shaped or triangular broadly ovate, with petiole, entire edge wavy, leathery, oval or triangular heart-shaped, smooth surface, long tail-like sharp apex, extended into a tail shape, wide wedge-shaped base It is shallow heart-shaped and has 8 to 10 pairs of lateral veins. Full edge or wavy; dark green, shiny, dust-free, and is regarded as a symbol of the holy tree. The leaves are beautiful in shape and are often used as subjects for poetry and painting. Geographical distribution
Spring is the right time for cuttings. Select last year's thick branches for cuttings. Before cutting, soak the base of the cuttings in water for 10 minutes or treat them with a rooting agent to promote root growth. Pruning can be done in winter to maintain the tree. Beautiful appearance.
Cultivation methods
The maintenance methods of Bodhi tree are basically the same as those of general flowers and trees, there is nothing special. The soil is required to be fertile, well-ventilated and sunny. Watering requires seeing dry and wet, and watering thoroughly at one time. Let it dry for two or three days in summer before watering; in winter, water it once a week, and repot potted plants once every two years. The soil quality can be raw field soil, leaf rot soil, or pine needle soil. It likes a warm, humid, sunny and well-ventilated environment, preferably fertile, loose, slightly acidic sandy loam soil. When the temperature is below 5°C in winter, there is no freezing damage and it is relatively cold-resistant. Commonly used for propagation by cuttings. The best time to take cuttings is from April to June. Select the top twigs, 20 cm long, leaving 2-3 leaves. Cut off the lower leaves. The cut should be flat. The cut often secretes white milk. Wash it off with warm water and dry it briefly. Cuttings can take root 30 days after cutting. Cultivation: Potted seedlings can be placed in a semi-shady place. When the plant height is 30 cm, they can be cultivated outdoors. The seedlings are repotted every spring, replenished with fresh fertile soil, and repotted in larger pots. Adult plants should be repotted every 2-3 years. Fertilize every 2 weeks during the growing season. In addition to normal watering in midsummer, more watering is required, and watering is gradually reduced in autumn and winter. Indoor cultivation in winter requires sufficient sunlight and ventilation. Pests and diseases: Black mold and leaf spot often occur. In the early stage of the disease, spray with 200 times Bordeaux mixture once every half month. Scale insects often infest the leaves and can be killed by spraying omethoate solution 1000 times. The main insect pests are the pityriasis and cotton-blowing scale insects. Both of these scale insects are sucking pests and have a wax film on their bodies, so general insecticides are not very effective. Use imidacloprid or imidacloprid improvers, such as Wanlihong, Dinghong, etc., the effect is better. If pests are found, spray them with Wanli Red diluted 3000 times to kill them. Application: Bodhi tree has beautiful appearance and gorgeous leaves. It is an evergreen landscape tree with slow growth and long life. Potted plants in the seedling stage are of great ornamental value and are often used to decorate living rooms and study rooms.
Use value
The trunk of the Bodhi tree is rich in magma, which can extract hard rubber; the flowers can be used as medicine, and have the effect of producing sweat and relieving fever. It is suitable as a street tree in temples, streets and parks. Tishu not only has a rich life experience, but also has a wide range of practical uses. It has a thick and majestic trunk and a canopy-like canopy. It can be used as a street tree or for ornamental purposes. The leaves are heart-shaped and have a slender front end like a tail. They are called "drip tip" in botany and are very beautiful. If you keep them for a long time, they are very beautiful. Soak it in cold springs and wash away the mesophyll, and you can get clear, transparent, mesh-like veins as thin as gauze, called "Bodhi yarn", which can be made into bookmarks to prevent insects; the branches are rich in white latex, which can be made into hard Gum; gargling with bark sap can cure toothache; the flowers are used as medicine to induce sweating, antipyretic and analgesic effects; aerial roots will grow on the branches, forming a "lone tree forest" landscape; in some places in India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar In some places, people cut off its aerial roots and used them as fodder for elephants.
Edit the religious connotation of this paragraph
Explanation of the Bodhi tree
Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism believe that the Bodhi tree is sacred. The original name of the Bodhi tree in Sanskrit is "Pippala". It was named Bodhi tree (Sanskrit bodhivrksa) because the founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni, attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. "Bodhi" (Sanskrit bodhi) It means "enlightenment". Even to this day Hindu shads often meditate under the Bodhi tree.
A sacred Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, was planted in 288 BC. It is said to be derived from the Bodhi tree under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. It is the oldest artificially planted quilt with a definite age. plant. The Bodhi tree is the national tree of India and the county tree of Hualien, Taiwan. The word "Bodhi" is the transliteration of the ancient Indian language (i.e. Sanskrit) Bodhi, which means enlightenment and wisdom. It is used to refer to a person's sudden awakening, sudden enlightenment, sudden enlightenment, sudden enlightenment of the truth, and otherworldly realms. In English, the word "Bodhi tree" is peepul, Bo-Tree or Large-Tree, etc., all of which mean magnanimity, great compassion, discernment between good and evil, and awareness of the truth. In plant taxonomy, the Latin scientific name of the Bodhi tree is Ficus religosa, which means sacred religion. According to "Records of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty", after the Buddha became enlightened, he walked under the Bodhi tree for seven days, seeing different flowers and shining brightly. In order to repay the kindness of the tree, I did not leave my eyes temporarily, so I looked up. At this time, five hundred green birds flew in and circled the Bodhisattva three times. It was very extraordinary and made people and heaven happy. For this reason, believers often bring flowers and other items to offer offerings to the Buddha. The Buddha often went out to preach, and the believers sometimes failed to meet the Blessed One, and they were very disappointed. Later, Ananda told the Buddha about this. The Buddha said to Ananda: "There are three objects in the world that should be worshiped - Buddha's bone relics, Buddha statues and Bodhi tree. Worship the Bodhi tree. This is as great a merit as worshiping the Tathagata, because it Help me achieve Buddhahood." The Buddhist scholar who studied abroad said: "In Buddhism, the Bodhi tree is a sacred tree, because the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Therefore, worshiping the Bodhi tree has become a common practice. It has been passed down to this day." Refers to the trees where the Buddhas attained enlightenment. Also known as the Jue tree, Tao tree, Taoist tree, Buddha tree, and thinking tree. Volume 3 of the "Ten Abodes of Vipassa" lists the names of sixteen kinds of big trees that are regarded as Bodhi trees. Volume 5 of the same book also lists the bodhi trees of the past seven Buddhas. That is, the Buddha Vipasva is the Ashoka tree, the Buddha Vipa is the Kathari tree, the Buddha Vipa is the Sara tree, the Buddha of Detention is the Sara tree, the Buddha Kunagami is the Udumbara tree, and Kassapa The Buddha is the Nirvana tree, Sakyamuni Buddha is the Atastha tree, and Maitreya who will become enlightened in the future is the Naga tree (Longhua tree). There is another saying that the Bodhi tree of Vipassi Buddha is a Bodhisattva tree. The bodhi tree where Sakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment was the avattha tree. Regarding the condition of this tree when the Buddha attained enlightenment, the following description was given in the second volume of the "Sūtra of Practice" (Taisho 3.470a): "The land is flat, the surroundings are clear, the grass is soft, the springs are full of sweetness, and the flowers are fragrant. There is a tree in the middle of Jie, which is elegant and unique. The branches are arranged one after another, the leaves are added to each other, and the flowers are rich and colorful. It is like a Tianzhuang decoration. The sky flag is on the top of the tree. This is Yuan Ji and the king of all woods. ’ What the world calls the Bodhi tree refers to the Bodhi tree of Sakyamuni Buddha. This tree is also known as Pippala or Athutha tree. It is a type of fig tree in the Moraceae family, and its scientific name is Ficus Religiosa. It is abundant in central India and Bangladesh. It is an evergreen tree with lush foliage and tall pavilions, up to 25 feet in circumference. The bark is slightly smooth and gray. The leaves are alternate and have long stalks. The leaf body is four to seven inches long and three to more than four inches wide. The tip is Long and pointed, the leaves are hairless on both the surface and inside. The tops are particularly smooth and shiny, and the leaves have mesh-like veins. The flower bag is contained in a small pot-shaped receptacle. During the time of King Ashoka, the princess Sangha Mitta went to the place of enlightenment and broke off a Bodhi tree branch, sent it to Lion Island (Sri Lanka), and transplanted it to the city of Ayuradapura. This is one of the world's ancient trees seen in the ancient city of Ayuratopura on the island of Ceylon today, and it is famous for its record. In ancient times, the Bodhi tree at the place of enlightenment was repeatedly cut down by evil kings, but it is still flourishing today. According to Volume 10 of the Sutra of the Supreme King of Golden Light, the Bodhi tree has a guardian deity, who is called the Bodhi tree god. In addition, there is another kind of Bodhi tree, which is different from the Bodhi tree mentioned above. It is a deciduous tree with slightly smooth stems and one to two inches of leaves. The leaf edges are serrated, smooth on the top and white on the bottom. They are densely covered with fine hairs. The flowers are tucked from the leaves. The unique lanceolate involucre has a pedicel, and the front end of the pedicel is divided. Yellow-brown flowers bloom in July and produce round fruits that can be strung into rosary beads. In botany, it belongs to the family Fernaceae and is mostly produced in the mountains of northern China. According to legend, Japanese monk Eisai transplanted this tree back to Japan from the Song Dynasty.
Bodhi Mirror Stand
The Real Body of Master Huineng
These are the words of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng on Zen enlightenment, because his senior brother: the body is like a Bodhi tree, and the mind is like a Bodhi tree. Like a bright mirror, it should be wiped diligently at all times to prevent it from attracting dust. The Sixth Patriarch felt that his enlightenment of Zen was not complete, so he chanted: Bodhi has no tree, and the mirror is not a stand. There is nothing in the beginning, so how can it cause dust.
Literally speaking: the bodhi tree is empty, the mirror stand is empty, the body and mind are empty, and there is nothing in it. How can it cause dust? The Buddha said to me: There is dust in your heart. . I wiped hard. Buddha said: You are wrong, dust cannot be wiped off. So I peeled off my heart. The Buddha said again: You are wrong again. Dust is not dust at all. How can dust exist? I can't understand it. What does it mean? I think this is derived from the two gathas Shenxiu and Huineng. Shenxiu said: "The body is a bodhi tree, and the mind is like a mirror stand. I must brush it diligently at all times to prevent it from stirring up dust." Master Huineng's real body Huineng said: "The bodhi tree has no tree, and the mirror is not a stand. There is nothing in the first place. How can it be disturbed? Dust." Indeed, it is indeed difficult to understand these two gathas, and even to understand them correctly is not easy. Understanding is impenetrable... The body is like a bodhi tree, and the mind is like a bright mirror. Always brush it diligently to avoid dust. The body of all living beings is a tree of enlightened wisdom, and the mind of all living beings is like a bright mirror. It must be brushed and wiped constantly to prevent it from being contaminated by dirt and obscuring its bright nature. Bodhi has no tree, and the mirror is not a stand. There is nothing in the first place. Wherever there is dust, the enlightenment does not need the help of a tree (Note: Buddha enlightened under a tree). The stand does not exist in the first place (Note: The mirror is not a bright mirror. But quoting the Shenxiu poem above, which also refers to the platform) It was originally nothingness and nothing, what kind of dust would be stained there? Now I can only understand it literally, and I can’t understand it! The heart is essentially dust-free, and dust is the heart. If there is no intention and no dust, people will die. In fact, dust is outside, and the heart is inside. If you always brush it away, the heart will be pure and dust-free. Dust is inside, and the heart will be outside, always peel it off. There is no dust and no heart. There is dust in the heart, and the dust is the heart. Why fear the dust in the heart? If there is no dust, there is no heart. Just as Huineng said, the heart of a benevolent person is moved, and as Taoists say, Tao can be Tao but is not Tao. Their principles are the same. Buddhism emphasizes that all things are in the heart and pursues cultivation of the world. Taoism emphasizes being carefree and pursuing escapism. Buddhism wants to transcend this world. Taoism cultivates this world. When looking into its principles, it is all a kind of practice, and ultimately it is a kind of detachment, but it is not a deliberate pursuit of the purpose. People in the world have no definite law, and then they know the law; the world's affairs are still unfinished, so why not Let it go. Regarding things and all things in the world, you need a peaceful heart to face it all.
Bodhi has no tree
Shenxiu (606?-706), whose common surname was Li, was from the Wei family in Bianzhou (now the Wei family in Henan). He became a monk at the end of the Sui Dynasty. Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty was ordained in Luoyang during his Wude years. When he was fifty years old, he succeeded Hongren, the fifth ancestor of Zen Buddhism. After six years, he was promoted to the rank of senior monk. After Hong Ren died, he moved to Yuquan Temple in Dangyang Mountain, Jiangling, and founded the Northern sect of Zen Buddhism. His posthumous title is Zen Master Datong. In the early years of the Tang Dynasty, he had a conversation with his senior brother Hui Neng and wrote a poem: The body is like a Bodhi tree, and the heart is like a mirror stand, brushing it diligently at all times to avoid dust. It means: The body is the root of enlightenment (Bodhi means enlightenment. In the past, Sakyamuni attained enlightenment and became a Buddha under the Bibolao tree, and later generations called this tree the Bodhi tree). The mind is like a bright mirror, capable of illuminating all things. When the object image comes, the mirror does not increase; when the object image goes away, the mirror does not decrease. The words "body" and "mind" here are actually intertextual and have the same meaning. They are just arranged to conform to the syntax of the poem. Hui Neng (later known as the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism) wrote this poem: Bodhi has no tree, and the mirror is not a stand. There is nothing in the beginning, so how can it cause dust. It has been widely circulated, so many people in later generations believe that there is no bodhi tree in the world. In fact, people misunderstood his original intention. The bodhi tree not only exists, but also known as the thinking tree, it is a large evergreen tree of the genus Moraceae. The poem "Bodhi has no tree" written by Hui Neng is probably an extension of the Buddhist theory "the four elements are empty"!
The story of enlightenment
The bodhi tree seems to be born with a deep connection with Buddhism. According to legend, more than 2,500 years ago, the Buddha Sakyamuni was originally Kapila in northern India. Gautama Siddhartha, the prince of Wei Kingdom (now in Nepal), when he was young, in order to get rid of the suffering of birth, old age, illness and death and save the suffering sentient beings, he resolutely gave up inheriting the throne and comfortable royal life, became a monk and practiced spiritual practice, and sought the true meaning of life. . After many years of practice, I meditated under the Bodhi tree for forty-nine days. I defeated all kinds of evil temptations, observed the emptiness of the dependent origin of all dharmas in the original nature, and realized the three clarities and the four truths, achieving the supreme enlightenment. , when the sky is about to dawn and the morning star rises, he achieves great enlightenment and finally becomes a Buddha. Therefore, later Buddhism has always regarded the bodhi tree as a sacred tree, and India has designated it as the national tree. Buddhist disciples regard the bodhi tree as a sacred tree. The Buddha Sakyamuni attained enlightenment and became a Buddha under the Bodhi tree, and then attained nirvana and ascended to heaven under the Bodhi tree. Countless Bodhi trees can be seen everywhere in the Mogao Grottoes murals.
The tallest are the two trees on the north wall of Cave 17 (Sutra Collection Cave). They have lush branches and leaves, strong and knotted trees, and twining vines, resembling the common local poplar trees. Why do Buddhists worship the bodhi tree? The Bodhi Tree of Wisdom
[4] A long time ago, there was a Bibolo tree on the bank of the Ganges River that was about a hundred feet tall, thick, with tender green leaves and evergreen in winter and summer. This tree can cover the sun in summer, wind in winter, and rain in the shade. Pedestrians going east and west often rest under the trees. After Sakyamuni became a monk, he practiced hard on the Bodhi Vajra lotus throne under the Bibolo tree, and finally attained enlightenment. The tree was renamed "Bodhi Tree". Although this big tree cannot speak or walk, it has the aura of human affection. Every year on the day when Tathagata Buddha enters Nirvana, all the leaves on the trees fall off, and water drops still fall on the branches, like tears. Gentlemen from all over the world and bhikkhus from all over the world came here to offer sacrifices. Thousands of people played music, danced, offered flowers, burned incense, kowtowed, and chanted sutras and scrolls under the trees, day and night. Many people wash the tree body with perfume and water the roots with milk. On the second day, the leaves grew again, fresher and greener. When Ashoka first came to the throne, he was arrogant and tyrannical, and did not believe in Buddhism. Ordered the entire country to destroy various relics of Buddha. The Bodhi tree, which is most worshiped by Buddhists, bears the brunt. King Ashoka thought: To destroy Buddhism, the bodhi tree with spiritual auspiciousness must be cut down. So, he personally led the princes, ministers, soldiers and soldiers to come in a mighty manner to cut down the wood. The soldiers, armed with sharp axes, took turns going into battle, and it took them a long time to chop down the tree. At night, they lit fires, danced, sang, and drank to celebrate. Unexpectedly, early the next morning, two more big trees grew on the bare tree stumps. When the breeze blows, the leaves snap. Ashoka became angry and thought that the Bodhi tree was laughing at him. The soldiers cut down the tree again and dug out the roots. And the roots. The stems, branches, and leaves were chopped into pieces, piled together, and set on fire. In an instant, smoke billowed and flames shot into the sky. The fire rides on the wind, making the stele crackle and burn more and more. None of the Buddhist disciples dared to come near, they could only watch from a distance, with their hearts twisting and tears streaming down their faces. After an hour and a quarter, the fire gradually weakened, and suddenly two bodhi trees grew out of the fire. The stems were as white as jade, and the leaves were as green as emerald, exuding an intoxicating fragrance. The aroma hits your nostrils and refreshes your soul. King Asoka and the soldiers felt refreshed and energetic. The fire gradually extinguished, and the bodhi tree grew taller and taller. King Ashoka saw the magic of the tree with his own eyes and suddenly realized that the power of the Buddha is miraculous and the Buddha's miracles are extremely difficult to destroy. He felt very guilty and regretted that he should not have listened to the heretics and the princess's slander to cut down the bodhi tree. Determined to change his past mistakes and serve the Buddha wholeheartedly from now on. He ordered people to bring a hundred buckets of sweet milk and put them on the roots of the trees, making the two bodhi trees grow taller, taller, and lusher. As long as people take a circle under the tree, their pain will disappear and they will feel relaxed and happy. King Asoka abandoned evil and embraced good, placed an incense table under the tree, and personally burned incense to worship the sacred tree. Many eminent monks were also invited to play drums and chimes under the tree, hold a Dharma gathering, and lecture on Buddhist scriptures. He was so mesmerized that he did not return to the palace for half a month. Besides, the princess has believed in heretics since she was a child. This time Asoka destroyed the Buddhist relics, it was she who repeatedly incited him. However, the king had been out of office for more than half a month, and he was very anxious as he waited and expected not to come back. She was afraid that if the king believed in Buddhism, she would fall out of favor. He hurriedly sent people to invite King Ashoka to return to the palace. He sent someone back on Pegasus and reported to the princess: The king cut down the tree, and the sacred tree came back to life after death. The king converted to Buddhism, worshiped Buddhism under the tree, and did not return to the palace for three months. When the princess heard this, she was so angry that she fainted. After the servant woke up, he thought that the reason why the king did not return for three months was because of the Bodhi tree. If you don't get rid of the demon tree, it will be difficult to get rid of the root of my heart! He took ten strong men with him and secretly chopped down the Bodhi tree in the dead of night. Early that morning, King Ashoka came to worship under the tree. When he saw that the tree had been cut down again, he couldn't help but feel angry. He was about to order the murderer to be traced, but then he thought: Didn't he cut down this tree too? Although I believe in Buddhism, there are still people who do not believe in Buddhism. They didn't realize it yet, so they did such stupid things. We can't blame them because they don't know the power of Buddha yet. Only by resurrecting the Bodhi tree can they be inspired to repent. So King Ayou and the monks knelt down in front of the tree with pious intentions and prayed, asking the tree god to appear again. He also ordered a hundred barrels of milk to be brought in and watered on the roots of the tree. Soon, new shoots sprouted from the stump. When the sun went down, it grew into two towering trees. King Ashoka respected the Bodhi tree even more. He was afraid that someone would steal the sacred tree again, so he asked craftsmen to build a stone wall about five feet high to protect the bodhi tree.
Since then, although the Bodhi tree has withstood countless violent storms, severe cold and heat, it still has dancing leaves and mottled shadows, and is worshiped by Buddhists. Xuanzang, the eminent monk of the Tang Dynasty, visited these two Bodhi trees in person when he was studying for Buddhist scriptures in India.
Introduction of the Bodhi tree
The Bodhi tree belongs to the same tree species as the yellow oak tree in the Sichuan Basin of my country. In Buddhism, the yellow oak tree is also called the bodhi tree, and the evergreen tree like that in India The Bodhi tree does not exist in our country. According to research, the bodhi tree was originally introduced with the introduction of Buddhism. According to historical records, in the first year of Tianjian of Emperor Wu of Liang Dynasty (AD 502), the monk Zhiyao Tripitaka brought back Bodhi trees from Xizhu (India) and planted them with his own hands at Wangyuan Temple in Guangzhou (later the temple was renamed Guangxiao Temple). . Since then, the bodhi tree began to appear in our country, and it has been widely spread in temples in various southern provinces and regions. Today, there are still three ancient bodhi trees that are more than 300 years old in Haiyi Temple in Guangzhou.
Talking about Bodhi in Wind and Rain
Times are like water. More than two thousand years have passed. The Bodhi tree where Buddha "enlightened" has withstood countless ups and downs and has a mythical experience. It is recognized in the Buddhist community as a symbol of "great enlightenment". Chen Shuaifo, chairman of the Chinese Feng Shui Association, led a delegation to visit here in 2003. There are still four Bodhi leaves on display in the Putuo Mountain Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall in Zhejiang, my country. It is said that they were picked from this tree, so they have always been regarded as treasures by people. cherish. In 1954, former Indian Prime Minister Nehru visited China and brought a sapling grown from a branch of this tree and presented it to our country's leaders, Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai, to show the support of the people of China and India. friendship. Premier Zhou transferred this bodhi sapling, which represents friendship, to the Beijing Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for care. The leaders and employees of the botanical garden attached great importance to it and carefully maintained it to make it grow well and have lush branches and leaves. Whenever eminent monks from home and abroad come to visit, the bodhi tree in the botanical garden will be invited out to accept the worship of the eminent monks. During the turmoil of the "Cultural Revolution", the botanical garden was accused of "feuding capital to repair" and "flowering grass and flowers". The organization was abolished and the people were dispersed. The bodhi tree was also forced to leave the botanical garden and became homeless. Fortunately, some thoughtful people hid it quietly and managed it carefully to survive the disaster. Ten years after the catastrophe, the leaders and staff of the botanical garden searched for the bodhi tree everywhere. They visited dozens of garden units and finally found it after many twists and turns. At present, after careful maintenance by the staff of the Botanic Garden, this bodhi tree is growing well, with luxuriant branches and leaves, and is thriving. It seems to symbolize the eternal shine of the "Five Principles of Peaceful International Relations" and the everlasting friendship between the peoples of China and India.
Bodhi Tree of the Dai Nationality
All the Dai people in Xishuangbanna believe in Hinayana Buddhism and have great respect and piety for the bodhi tree. Many bodhi trees are planted near almost every village and temple. If a family's population is unstable, pigs and chickens die from swine fever, and the grain harvest fails, some Bodhi trees should be planted near villages and temples to pray for the Buddha's blessing. Every Buddhist festival, men and women of faith tie strings to the trunk of the Bodhi tree, offer tributes, and worship. The Dai people can cut down any tree, but the Bodhi tree must never be cut down. Even the dead branches and leaves of the Bodhi tree cannot be used as firewood. Cutting down the Bodhi tree is disrespectful to the Buddha and is a sin. Before liberation, there was a law enacted by the feudal lords of the Dai people: "If the bodhi tree is cut down, the children will be punished as temple slaves." In the literature and art of the Dai people, the bodhi tree is a symbol of holiness, auspiciousness and nobility. During weddings, singers always sing: "Today is the day when Bodhisattva ascends to heaven." In love songs, girls sing to their beloved boyfriends: "You are a tall bodhi tree" or "You are like a bodhi tree with lush branches and leaves", etc. In addition, in the proverbs of the Dai people, there are phrases such as "Don't abandon your parents and don't cut down the bodhi tree." In Xishuangbanna, bodhi trees can be seen everywhere, but two of them are particularly worth mentioning. One plant is in Mandah Village, Menglong Town, Jinghong City, with a diameter at breast height of nearly 2 meters. The bodhi trees that people usually see have green branches and green leaves, but this bodhi tree not only grows green branches and green leaves, but also grows a kind of white branches, which are as white as frost and snow, without any green color, and they grow every year. Only one or two branches will grow at a time, never exceeding the limit. According to local folklore, when the Buddha Sakyamuni traveled to preach, he took a rest under this bodhi tree. Therefore, the tree grew white branches in return for the Buddha's love. The local Dai people regard this tree as a "sacred tree" and build brick walls around it to protect it. Every year when the tree grows white branches, worshipers and visitors come in an endless stream.
Another tree is located next to Manting Park on the outskirts of Jinghong City. The trunk is so thick that it would take five adults to open their arms to surround it. It is said that the tree is more than 800 years old, but it still grows vigorously and has shady branches and leaves. It is said that this tree and a Bodhi tree of the same age in Thailand are "brother trees". They were planted by two close friends who were on the throne of China and Thailand at that time. These two close friends turned out to be ordinary people with ambitions. After hard work and hard work, they won the throne in Thailand and Xishuangbanna respectively. The Thai king came to Xishuangbanna to plant the bodhi tree with his own hands. The king of Xishuangbanna also went to Thailand to plant a bodhi tree. A Bodhi tree. Their common wish is for the two bodhi trees to grow together, so that the people of China and Thailand can live in peace and harmony forever, and their friendship will last forever. To this day, the Dai people in Xishuangbanna still cherish this bodhi tree very much.
Edit this paragraph: The Bodhi tree in India
The national tree of India
After arriving in India, I heard people talking about the Bodhi tree. Indians always have a fondness for the Bodhi tree. A kind of respect. The Bodhi tree is the national tree of India. In India, a country rich in plant germplasm resources, there are 17,500 species of higher plants. To be crowned India's national tree, one must be outstanding. After learning more about it, I learned that the Bodhi tree does have an extraordinary life experience and background.
[5] The humanistic background is unparalleled
India is the birthplace of Buddhism. Legend has it that more than 2,500 years ago, Buddha Sakyamuni was still the young prince Gautama Siddhartha of the Kapilavastu Kingdom in northern India. In order to get rid of the suffering of reincarnation and save the suffering sentient beings, he resolutely gave up inheriting the throne and comfortable royal life, became a monk and practiced spiritual practice, to seek the true meaning of life. After many years of practice, he once sat in meditation under the bodhi tree for 7 days and 7 nights, overcoming all kinds of evil temptations. When the sky was about to dawn and the morning star rose, he finally achieved great enlightenment and became a Buddha. The word "Bodhi" is the transliteration of the ancient Indian language (i.e. Sanskrit) Bodhi, which means enlightenment and wisdom. It is used to refer to people waking up from a dream, suddenly enlightened, enlightened to the truth, and reached an otherworldly state. Since Buddha "enlightened enlightenment" under this tree, this tree was called the Bodhi tree. With the introduction of Buddhism into our country, the bodhi tree also has a profound influence in our country. In the early years of the Tang Dynasty, the monk Shenxiu had a dialogue with his senior brother Hui Neng and wrote a poem: "The body is a Bodhi tree, and the heart is like a mirror. I always brush it diligently to avoid dust." After reading it, Huineng wrote a poem: "The Bodhi tree has no tree. A bright mirror is not a platform. There is nothing in the first place, so how can it cause dust?" The conversation between these two brothers expressing their feelings through objects and discussing Tao through objects spread widely, and also made the Bodhi tree famous. More than two thousand years have passed. The Bodhi tree where Buddha "enlightened" has withstood countless ups and downs and has had mythical experiences. It is recognized in the Buddhist world as a symbol of "great enlightenment". In 1954, former Indian Prime Minister Nehru visited China and brought a sapling grown from a branch of this tree and presented it to our country's leaders, Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai, to show the support of the people of China and India. friendship. Premier Zhou transferred the bodhi tree, which represents friendship, to the Beijing Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for conservation. The leaders and employees of the botanical garden attach great importance to it and carefully maintain it to make it grow strong and have lush branches and leaves. Whenever eminent monks from home and abroad come to visit, the bodhi tree in the botanical garden will be paid homage by the eminent monks. This bodhi tree has also become a symbol of friendship between the people of China and India.
The mystery is deeply rooted in people's hearts
According to Hinduism, the Bodhi tree is an incarnation of Vishnu, one of the three main gods of Hinduism. Therefore, it has a particularly important religious overtones. Hinduism also believes that the Bodhi tree is the place where gods live. Vishnu and his wife, the goddess Lakshmi, live in the Bodhi tree on the dark night of the first day of every month. Vishnu lives in the roots, Lakshmi lives in the trunk, Narayan lives in the branches, King Hari lives in the leaves, and all the gods live in the fruit of the Bodhi tree. Hindus believe that the bodhi tree embodies various virtues and has the ability to make people realize their wishes and free themselves from guilt. Many Hindu women believe that praying to the Bodhi tree regularly, watering the Bodhi tree regularly, and walking around the Bodhi tree can be blessed with good children, especially sons. This is because doing so will please the gods who live in the trees and grant these wishes to come to fruition. In order to realize wishes, there is also a habit of wrapping strings around the trunk of the tree. When you see circles of strings wrapped around the bodhi tree trunk, you know that this is the result of the believers' prayers. It is said that pouring a little oil on the roots of the tree on Saturday, and then lighting an oil lamp next to it, will help get rid of various difficulties. Wrapping a String for Prayer The bark of the Bodhi tree is used in religious ceremonies.
The leaves of the Bodhi tree are auspicious and used as decoration on special occasions. The Bodhi tree is tough, impervious to pests and diseases, and purifies the air, so it is considered sacred. There is a very magical phenomenon that you will feel cool under the shade of the lime tree in summer, but you will feel warm under the shade of the lime tree in winter. Practitioners must ensure that there is at least one bodhi tree within the temple. They believe that before sunrise, the shadow of poverty falls over the Bodhi tree, but after sunrise, Goddess Lakshmi takes over. Therefore, it is forbidden to pray to the Bodhi tree before sunrise. In their eyes, cutting down or destroying a Bodhi tree is tantamount to murdering a Brahmin. Its own advantages stand out Botanically speaking, the Bodhi tree is an evergreen tree of the Moraceae family, with a height of up to 15 meters and a diameter of up to 2 meters. The trunk is uneven, the branches are luxuriant, and the crown is wide. The Bodhi tree has a strong vitality. I saw it growing out of the hollows of other tree trunks and out of the cracks in the masonry. It was equally vibrant, green and tall. The leaves of the bodhi tree are heart-shaped, and the front end suddenly becomes slender like a tail. It is called the "drip tip" and is very handsome. If it is made into a specimen, the clear, transparent, gauze-like network of leaf veins is called "bodhi gauze". ", someone painted a Buddha image on it, and it became a cherished token by Buddhists. The Bodhi tree not only has a rich history, but also has a wide range of practical uses. Its branches are rich in white latex, which can be used to make hard gum; gargling with the bark juice can cure toothache; its flowers are used as medicine to induce sweating, antipyretic and analgesic effects. . Bodhi seeds can not only be used as medicinal materials, but were also the earliest material used for Buddhist beads. I met a businessman selling bodhi seed beads in Patna, the hometown of Buddha. He told me that bodhi seed beads are classified into categories. According to the markings on their bodies, they are divided into types from one eye to five eyes. The five-eyed ones are the most precious. He took out a string of Bodhi beads from a small box and told me that each Bodhi seed on this string has five eyes, so the price of this string of beads is US$120.
Edit this paragraph for medicinal uses
The Bodhi tree not only has a rich life experience, but also has a wide range of practical uses. It has a thick and majestic trunk and a canopy-like canopy. It can be used as a street tree or for ornamental purposes. The leaves are heart-shaped and have a slender front end like a tail. They are called "drip tip" in botany and are very beautiful. If you keep them for a long time, they are very beautiful. Soak it in cold springs and wash away the mesophyll, and you can get clear, transparent, mesh-like veins as thin as gauze, called "Bodhi yarn", which can be made into bookmarks to prevent insects; the branches are rich in white latex, which can be made into hard Gum; gargling with bark sap can cure toothache; the flowers are used as medicine to induce sweating, antipyretic and analgesic effects; aerial roots will grow on the branches, forming a "lone tree forest" landscape; in some places in India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar In some places, people cut off its aerial roots and used them as fodder for elephants. Bodhi tree
The roots and leaves of Bodhi tree are used as medicine. Harvest in summer and autumn, dry in the sun, or harvest as needed. Meridian distribution of nature and flavor Root: slightly pungent, cool. Leaves: astringent, flat. Indications: Root: dispelling wind and removing dampness, clearing away heat and detoxifying. Used for rheumatic bone pain, colds, tonsillitis, and conjunctivitis. Leaves: Reduce swelling and relieve pain. External use to treat bruises, swelling and pain. Usage: 5 to 8 qian; appropriate amount of leaves for external use, mash and apply to the affected area.
Edit this mythological story
According to legend, when Sakyamuni Buddha was meditating under the Bodhi tree, the Bodhi tree god used the leaves to protect Sakyamuni Buddha from wind and rain. He practiced Taoism with peace of mind, hence his name. She is considered the earliest protector of Buddhism. In Buddhist temples, her image is characterized by holding a branch in both hands and dressed like a young woman. The original name of the bodhi tree is the Bibhara tree. This tree is an evergreen tree with oval leaves and yellow-white stems. The flowers are hidden in the receptacle and the tree seeds can be used as prayer beads. Because it is a sacred tree of Buddhism, believers in Southeast Asian Buddhist countries often burn incense and scatter flowers, worship around the tree, and follow customs.
Cultivation methods
Cutting is often used for propagation. The best time to take cuttings is from April to June. Select the top shoots, 20 cm long, leaving 2-3 leaves. Cut off the lower leaves. The cuts should be flat. The cuts often secrete white latex. Wash it off with warm water and dry it briefly. Cuttings can take root 30 days after cutting. Cultivation: Potted seedlings can be placed in a semi-shady place. When the plant height is 30 cm, they can be cultivated outdoors. The seedlings are repotted every spring, replenished with fresh fertile soil, and repotted in larger pots. Adult plants should be repotted every 2-3 years. Fertilize every 2 weeks during the growing season. In addition to normal watering in midsummer, more watering is required, and watering is gradually reduced in autumn and winter. Indoor cultivation in winter requires sufficient sunlight and ventilation.