Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c29.816

v2.c29.816

In the twelfth year of Asoka's reign the right branch of the Bodhi-tree was brought by Saṅghamittā to Anurādhapura and placed by Devānāmpiyatissa in the Mahāmeghavana. The Buddha, on his death-bed, had resolved five things, one being that the branch which should be taken to Ceylon should detach itself.¹⁴ From Gayā, the branch was taken to Pāṭaliputta, thence to Tāmalittī, where it was placed in a ship and taken to Jambukola, across the sea; finally it arrived at Anurādhapura, staying on the way at Tivakka. Those who assisted the king at the ceremony of the planting of the Tree were the nobles of Kājaragāma and of Candanagāma and of Tivakka. From the seeds of a fruit which grew on the tree sprang eight saplings, which were planted respectively at Jambukola, in the village of Tivakka, at Thūpārāma, at Issarasamaṇārāma, in the court of the Pathamacetiya, in Cetiyagiri, in Kājaragāma and in Candanagāma.¹⁵ Thirty-two other saplings, from four other fruits, were planted here and there at a distance of one yojana. Ceremonies were instituted in honour of the Tree, the supervision of which was given over to Bodhāhārakula, at the head of which were the eight ministers of Asoka who, led by Bodhigutta and Sumitta,¹⁶ were sent as escorts of the Tree. Revenues were provided for these celebrations.