BO-TREE

bo-tree, or bodhi-tree, the name given by the buddhists of india and ceylon to the pipul or sacred wild fig (_ficus religiosa_). it is regarded as sacred, and one at least is planted near each temple. these are traditionally supposed to be derived from the original one, the bodhi-tree of buddhist annals, beneath which the buddha is traditionally supposed to have attained perfect knowledge. the bo-tree at the ruined city of anuradhapura, 80 m. north of kandy, grown from a branch of the parent-tree sent to ceylon from india by king asoka in the 3rd century