Large Number of Buddhists Attend Ceremony The formal presentation and cerejmonious planting of a Bohdi sapling by the Venerable Bhikku Narada, Jof the Ceylon Buddhist Mission to) [China, at the Pure Karma Buddhist Society, 418 Hart Road, on Saturday latter noon, was attended by a large Jnumber of Buddhist monks, priests, Jand other devout followers" At the same time, a Buddhist library and Yeading room were declared open, Jand a farewell function to the Vene1 able Narada, who leaves for Java Jshortly, was held.
The sapling was taken from the Bodhi tree at Anuradhapura, Ceylon, Jwhich itself was planted in'307 B.C. }from a branch taken from the tree, under which Buddha is said to have received enlightenment, at Buddha JGaya. In a small earthen pot, the sapling brought by the Venerable 'Narada was then taken, under the cover of a gorgeous ceremonial umbrella, to the little temple in the 'Society's' grounds, and there placed before the altar, while the assembled }gathering chanted passages from the Sutras. The Venerable Narada then spoke, in English, of the history of the Bodhi tree in Ceylon, his speech being translated into Chinese. Ina [prominent position in the grounds, the bank of a shaded pond, the [sapling was planted within an Jelosure surrounded by a stone some 2 ft. high, and there homage was paid to it individually by the Jchiet "monks, who placed around 1t Jofterings of' flowers, while they bowed before it, and said short Over 2,000 Years Ago The history of the Bodhi tree, the Joldest historic tree in existence, has: been carefully preserved and handed [down through th In the year 307 BE, during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa of Ceylon, Prince 'Mahinda 'Thera, of India, arrived in the country with the message of 'Buddha. His mission was entirely successful, and he accordingly suggested to' his father, the Emperor JAsoka, that a token, in the form of fa branch from the sacred tree at [Buddha Gaya, be sent to Ceylon to bring that country's people in closer ouch with Buddha.
'A day was appointed, and a branch. [taken from the tree at an auspicious hour, being received by the Emperor, standing on a gold chair, who planted ft in a vase made of pure gold and failed with perfumed soil. It was Jentrusted to the Princess Ther}, who, escorted by a fleet of ships, sailed {for Ceylon. She was met on arrival fey the Ceylonese monarch, who. boarded the vessel and bore the branch on his head to the shore, de~ Positing it in a pavilion specially Jeonstructed for the occasion. Solemn jeeremonies in its honour were held, vast crowds coming from the furth-Jest points of the island with their Jofferings. On the eighth day after lig arrival, the branch was taken in huge procession to Anuradhapura, then the capital of the island, but now merely ruins, and planted in the spot where jit still fourishes, although the original tree at Buddha [Gaya has long since died.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.