Established in the 1st century BC as the capital of Sri Lanka at the time when Buddhism from India spread southwards, Anuradhapura is home to the Sri Maha Bodhi tree – the oldest known uncloned tree in the world with a definite date of planting. This tree was planted in 249 BC from a cutting from the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya in India under which the Buddha found enlightenment, and which was brought to Sri Lanka by the daughter of Emperor Ashoka.This large bo or bodhi tree is closely guarded and protected by a shrine built all around it.
On the evening that I went to see the tree there were hundreds of visitors -mostly Buddhist monks, nuns and civilians. I offered the pink lotus flowers I had bought outside and added them to the heaps of water lily, lotus and jasmine blooms already there. There was a special feeling in being so close to one of Buddhism’s oldest legacies. Amidst the quiet hum of chanting and praying I walked around the circular path trying to take in the significance of this experience. I couldn’t help but send up my own fervent prayers, earnestly believing that the collective vibrations of this peaceful and positive moment were undoubtedly impacting the vibrations of the larger universe in some way.
Not wanting to leave but having to – such are the pressures we bring upon ourselves when we deal with deadlines and the time-money equation – I walked to the beautiful temple that stood close to the tree, the Ruwanwelisaya which is another very sacred site in Anuradhapura. This stupa is an incredibly tall monument, standing at 300 ft (92 m) and with a circumference of 950 ft (292 m). I stood below it and marveled at the enormity and perfection of the simple yet massive white dome that towered above me. It was dusk and the evening prayers were in session and once again the peaceful chanting of the monk rendered a meditative stance in those who were present. There was an almost involuntary willingness on my part to set aside thoughts of my material life in this material world, allowing my mind to dwell upon the hardest question we choose to ignore - was I doing with my life what I was supposed to be doing with it in regard to its relationship with the universe?