Why people honour a tree
Buddhists do not generally worship a tree as a god. In most traditions, honouring a Bodhi tree is a way of paying respect to the awakening of the Buddha and to the teachings that came from it. The tree is treated as a reminder, a symbol and, in some communities, a living memorial. When people speak of its “power”, they usually mean the calm, merit or inspiration they associate with the site, and individuals differ in how they express this. Doctrinal views on merit also differ between schools.
The Bodhi tree is a pipal, a type of fig. Trees grown from cuttings or seedlings of older trees are planted in many temple grounds, and are cared for as sacred. The symbolism of such trees in art is covered in a separate article on Bodhi symbolism, and the specific tree at Bodh Gaya in another. This piece looks at what people do.
Bodhi Puja in Sri Lanka
Devotion at the Bodhi tree is especially visible in Theravada Sri Lanka, where the word puja means an act of reverence or offering. A Bodhi Puja is commonly described as a ceremony around a Bodhi tree, often within a temple compound, and it can be a small personal act or a larger organised event. What happens varies by temple, and what follows is a general picture rather than a fixed liturgy.
- Flowers and lamps. Worshippers lay flowers and light small oil lamps at the foot of the tree or on a surrounding platform.
- Pouring water. A well-known act is pouring water, sometimes scented, or milk, at the base of the tree. This is generally understood as an offering and as a way of caring for the tree.
- Chanting. Monks or laypeople may recite verses in Pali, the language of the Theravada texts, often including verses of homage to the Buddha.
- Circling the tree. Devotees often walk clockwise around the tree or its platform, a custom shared with stupas and temples and described in the article on circumambulation practice.
- Quiet sitting. Many people simply sit nearby and meditate or reflect.
In Sri Lanka, the Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura is a major focus for such devotion, as discussed in the article on that tree. Visitors there include lay pilgrims who come from across the country. Specific rules, such as dress and entry arrangements, are set locally.
Festivals and special days
Observances tend to gather around the main commemorative days. In Theravada communities these include the full-moon Poya days, which have their own article on Poya full moon days, and the great festival of Vesak, covered under Vesak festival. On these days temples are often busy, and Bodhi trees may be decorated with lights or cloth. Dates follow lunar calendars and change from year to year, so check current local calendars.
In the Zen tradition of Japan, the awakening is remembered around 8 December, often called Rohatsu, with intensive meditation in some monasteries. It is not exactly a tree ceremony, but it commemorates the same event. Practice differs by temple.
Beyond Sri Lanka
Customs vary widely.
- In Myanmar and Thailand, Bodhi trees are commonly found in temple grounds, and offerings of water and flowers are common, alongside local traditions of tying cloth or hanging banners.
- In India, at Bodh Gaya, people from many countries come to the tree. They may chant in their own languages, make prostrations or sit silently. Lay people from the local area also come.
- In Tibetan and Himalayan communities, the tree appears in paintings and in offerings related to the life of the Buddha, with practice depending on the community.
- In East Asia, Bodhi trees are less common as living specimens in cold climates, so other plants or images may stand in for the tree, and commemoration takes other forms.
These are general patterns, not rules. Communities differ, and no single form of practice is the correct one.
Merit, care and humility
Many Buddhists describe these acts in terms of merit, meaning wholesome action and its positive results, as well as gratitude and mindfulness. Others place more weight on the quiet contemplation the setting encourages. Explaining what happens is easy; judging what it does for any individual is not, and it is best to leave that to the people involved.
There is also a practical side. A Bodhi tree is a living plant, and many communities see caring for it as part of the practice. Water poured at the base nourishes it, but crowds can compact soil and damage roots, so many sites install platforms and barriers.
Joining respectfully
If you visit a Bodhi tree, a few guidelines apply almost everywhere:
- Dress modestly and remove shoes where asked.
- Do not pick leaves from the tree, break branches or climb on supports. Take only fallen leaves if local custom allows it.
- Follow the direction of movement of others, which is usually clockwise.
- Ask before taking photographs of people at prayer, and avoid flash.
- Offerings such as flowers or water are often welcome, though sites may regulate what can be left. Ask a caretaker if unsure.
- Be careful not to touch monks, especially women visitors, and avoid pointing your feet toward the tree or images.
Customs differ between countries and temples, so follow local guidance.