Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c35.17

c35.17

*Bo-gaha, bō-tree (Ficus religiosa):* each of the Buddhas that have appeared on earth for the salvation of mankind attained enlightenment beneath a particular tree, afterwards held sacred to them. This crowning point in the life of Gotama Buddha was reached as he sat beneath a *Ficus religiosa*, hence called the *bō-tree*, or tree of wisdom. Of that victory, the *bō-tree* stands as a perpetual symbol in Buddhist art. At Anurādhapura, 2: jewelled, 5: in Kandy, 11: significance in Buddhism, 42, 98, 119: flower offerings, 137.