The Hindu : Front Page : Sri Lanka to give India Maha Bodhi tree sapling

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Friday, Apr 30, 2010
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Sri Lanka to give India Maha Bodhi tree sapling

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: To mark the 2,600th Buddha Jayanti, Sri Lanka will present India a sapling of the Maha Bodhi tree, under which Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment.

The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree at Anuradhapura town and is said to be a sapling of the historical Bodhi tree. It is the oldest recorded tree in the world.

According to a statement by the government, a 10-member Indian delegation is currently at Anuradhapura to receive the sapling. It will be planted in the new Buddha Udyana being created in Patna to commemorate 2,600 years of the Sambuddha Jayanthi.

The delegation is expected to brief the Sri Lankan government on the Sambuddha Jayanthi celebrations to be held there for a whole year.

Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha paid a courtesy call on the newly appointed Prime Minister, D.M. Jayaratne.

“The High Commissioner noted the close and friendly relations between India and Sri Lanka,” the Indian mission said in a statement.

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