〔菩提樹之移植〕
Transplanting the Bodhi Tree
其時阿㝹羅夫人告王出家，王聞其語而如是告大德：「尊者！阿㝹羅夫人欲出家以使彼女等得度。」「大王！我等不許得度彼女，在波咤利弗城有我妹名僧伽蜜多，當招喚彼女。大王！於此島過去三佛之菩提樹仍存，赫灼而放光澤之吾等佛之菩提樹亦應安立此地。其故送如是傳言，彼僧伽蜜多當持來菩提樹。」「尊者！善哉！」以答應大德之語。與諸大臣協議之結果，向王之外甥阿栗咤言：「汝往波咤利弗城得與請來大菩提樹及尊者僧伽蜜多大德尼耶？」「王！若允許出家，我得如是為。」「應去，請來大德尼而可出家。」彼持王及大德之傳言，依大德之威力，乘船渡海一日即達閻浮俱羅港而到波咤利弗城。是時，阿㝹羅夫人與五百童女及五百之宮女共受十戒著袈裟衣，於近城及某處所造房舍定止所。
At that time, Queen Anula asked the king for permission to become a nun. Hearing her words, the king spoke to the great elder, saying: "Venerable Sir, Queen Anula wishes to renounce the world so that she and her companions may be ordained."
The elder replied: "Great King, we do not permit the ordination of women. But in the city of Pataliputta, there is my sister, a nun named Sanghamitta. She should be summoned. Great King, in this island, the Bodhi trees of the three past Buddhas still stand. It is fitting that the Bodhi tree of our Buddha, radiant and resplendent, should also be established here. Therefore, send a message to bring her here, and Sanghamitta will bring the Bodhi tree."
The king replied: "Venerable Sir, it is well." And he gave his consent to the elder's words.
After consulting with his ministers, the king said to his nephew, Prince Arittha: "Will you go to the city of Pataliputta and bring back the great Bodhi tree and the venerable nun Sanghamitta?"
Arittha replied: "O King, if I am permitted to become a monk, then I will do this."
The king said: "Go then, bring back the venerable nun, and you may be ordained."
Taking the messages of the king and the elder, and by the power of the elder, Arittha crossed the sea in a single day, arrived at the port of Jambukola, and reached the city of Pataliputta.
Meanwhile, Queen Anula, together with five hundred maidens and five hundred court ladies, had received the ten precepts, donned the yellow robes, and settled in dwellings built near the city.
阿栗咤其日往述傳言，如是向王言：「王！王之子摩哂陀大德如是言，王之舊知天愛帝須王兄弟之妃阿㝹羅夫人欲出家，為使彼出家，請派遣尊者僧伽蜜多大德尼及大菩提樹！」以告大德之傳言，而後到僧伽蜜多大德尼之處言：「尊者！尊者之兄摩哂陀大德遣我來尊者之處，因天愛帝須王兄弟之妃阿㝹羅夫人欲與五百童女、五百宮女俱出家，來而令彼女出家，尊者之兄摩哂陀大德派遣我。」彼女急急往王之處如是言：「大王！我兄摩哂陀大德如是來言，王之兄弟妃阿㝹羅夫人與五百童女及五百宮女欲俱出家，待我之來？大王！我應往銅鍱島。」王言：「然，我子摩哂陀大德、孫之修摩耶沙彌使往銅鍱島如斷我乎，不見彼等而起悲哀，見汝之臉即鎮靜，不可去。」「大王！兄之語也重，阿㝹羅剎帝利圍繞一千婦女，準備出家等待我甚切，大王！我往耶！」「然者，當持往大菩提樹。」「王之菩提樹在何處耶？」王且修摩那未來得舍利之前！既欲送菩提樹於楞伽島，以刀切斷為不相應，我應如何送往大菩提樹，不知其方法而尋問摩訶提婆大臣，彼曰：「王！有多賢明之比丘耶？」王聞是事供食物於比丘僧伽，於餐食之畢而問僧伽：「尊者！世尊之菩提樹應否往楞伽島耶？」僧伽推舉目犍連子帝須大德。大德言：「大王！大菩提樹應往楞伽島。」而語世尊之五大遺敕。五者何耶？往昔，世尊大般涅槃之臥於牀，遺敕：為安立大菩提樹於伽島阿育大王應取送往菩提樹，其時大菩提樹大之南枝自析當停住於金盆中，此為第一之遺敕。遺敕：停住時之大菩提樹應入於雪雲內，此為第二遺敕。遺敕：第七日由雪雲內降而停住於金盆，葉與果實應放六色之光輝，此為第三之遺敕。遺敕：塔園之舍利右鎖骨安置於堂宇內之日，當行一雙神變，此為第四之遺敕。遺敕：在楞伽島，當安置我陀那量之舍利於大佛殿時，佛陀之姿騰於虛空，應作一雙神變，此為第五之遺敕。王聞此等五大遺敕而起信心，由波咤利弗城至大菩提樹處，今檢分道路，為造黃金瓶，多運黃金。然，此問毘舍神洞察王之心中，化為金工匠之姿而立於前。王見彼：「言當取黃金造瓶。」「王！要知其寸尺。」「汝當知造。」「然，我造之。」取黃金已，其威神力以手碎之，令現出黃金之瓶。其周圍九肘，高五肘，直徑三肘，厚八指長，瓶口之周圍大如象鼻。其時以長度一由旬幅一由旬由大軍兵共出波咤利弗城，率聖眾到大菩提樹處。軍兵圍繞大菩提樹，在此揭舉幢幡，飾以種種之寶石，施種種之裝飾，覆種種之華，奏種種之妓樂而供養。王為一千之眾上首而伴諸大德，於全閻浮提受即位灌一千之王及自己隨菩提樹，立於大菩提樹之下瞻仰大菩提樹，大菩提樹之幹及除大南枝長度四肘之部分已不見其殘部。王見此神變生起歡喜心、語比丘僧伽：「尊者！我歡喜見此神變，以全閻浮提之領土供養大菩提樹。」對菩提樹行即位灌頂。由此供養香華，行三周之右繞禮，禮於八處，合掌捧立，行誓言欲取菩提樹，由地上造高臺至大菩提樹之南技止，令置黃金瓶於一切寶石所造之牀造上而昇寶玉之座，執黃金之畫筆，刻入於雄黃石而誓言曰：「若大菩提樹應安立於楞伽島，若是我佛教之信奉者，大菩提樹！應自立此黃金之瓶。」作誓言之同時，菩提樹枝由刻雄黃石之處折而滿薰泥之黃金瓶立於上空。其幹高十肘，每四肘有五大枝，裝飾五個之果實，又有小枝一千。其時，王由刻在根上部三指尺之處，今入一刻，由此忽生泡沫生出十支大根，由此各三指尺之上方刻入九個，由此各生十個之泡沫而生九支之根。最初十大支其長達四指尺，其他生如織成圖狀之羅網。王立於寶玉之牀座見如是神變，合掌發大聲，數千之比丘嘆賞：「善哉！」王之全軍舉叫喚，漂飛一萬布帛。最初於地上之諸神而至梵天界之諸神，舉聲：「善哉！」王見此神變，歡喜充滿肉身而不絕，合掌而立之間，大菩提樹持百根樹於黃金瓶中，十大根直下達黃金瓶之底，餘九十根漸次生長，含御薰泥於根而立。如是大菩提樹安立於黃金瓶時，大地震動，天鼓鳴於虛空，諸山舞蹈，諸神歡聲，夜叉嘻嘻笑，阿修羅唱讚歌，梵天拍手，雲霄雷鳴，四足獸吼，諸鳥囀聲，一切樂器鳴妙音，由地上至梵天界止徧成為囂囂震響。五枝各各由果實放六色之光明，如以全鐵圍山之寶玉桷覆而達梵天界。其剎那七日間大菩提樹入住於雪雲胎，任何人亦不能見大菩提樹。王由寶玉之牀座下來，七日間對大菩提樹行供養。第七日由一切方角之雪放六色之光明，入其大菩提樹雪雲散去而於清朗之鐵圍山上空，大菩提樹具足樹幹之大枝小枝，飾五個之果實知如止住黃金瓶。王見大菩提樹由此等之神變起大歡喜心：「於全閻浮提之領土，供養幼之大菩提樹。」於此授即位灌頂，七日間立於大菩提樹之處。大菩提樹在前迦提月自恣之最初日薄暮而止住於黃金瓶中。由此於雪胎中之七日間，即位灌頂過七日間而於黑牛月之布薩會，王一日而入波咤利弗城，於迦提月中白半月之初日，從大菩提樹置於東方大沙羅樹之下。令安置於黃瓶之日，在第十七日大菩提樹現幾多之新萌芽。見此而王歡喜，再以王位供養大菩提樹，授全閻浮提之即位灌頂。修摩那沙彌於迦提月滿月之日為取舍利往向大菩提樹行迦提月祭之供養。如是以金剛座奉載大菩提樹來止住於波咤利弗城，就大菩提樹如是言：「汝取大菩提樹。」彼女答：「善哉！」
Arittha went to the king the next day and delivered the message: "Your Majesty, your son, the Elder Mahinda, has sent word that his brother, King Tissa's wife, Lady Anula, wishes to become a nun. Please send the Venerable Nun Sanghamitta and the Great Bodhi Tree so that she may be ordained." After conveying this message, he went to Nun Sanghamitta and said, "Venerable one, your brother, the Elder Mahinda, sent me to you. The wife of King Tissa, Lady Anula, along with five hundred maidens and five hundred palace women, wishes to be ordained. Please come and ordain them."
She quickly went to the king and said, "Your Majesty! My brother, the Elder Mahinda, has sent word that your brother's wife, Lady Anula, along with five hundred maidens and five hundred palace women, wishes to be ordained. They await my arrival. I should go to the island of Tambapanni."
The king replied, "If my son, the Elder Mahinda, and my grandson, the novice Sumana, go to the island of Tambapanni, it would break my heart not to see them. But seeing your face would calm my sorrow. Please do not go."
She said, "Your Majesty, my brother's word is weighty. Lady Anula and a thousand women are ready and waiting for me. I must go."
"Then take the Great Bodhi Tree with you," the king said.
"Where is the Bodhi Tree of the king?" she asked.
Before the novice Sumana had obtained the relics, the king wished to send the Bodhi Tree to Lanka but found it improper to cut it with a knife. Unsure how to proceed, he consulted his minister, Mahādeva.
The minister said, "Your Majesty, are there not many wise monks?"
The king then offered food to the monastic community and, after the meal, asked them, "Venerable ones, should the Buddha's Bodhi Tree be sent to Lanka?"
The community recommended the Elder Moggaliputta-Tissa. He declared, "Your Majesty, the Great Bodhi Tree should go to Lanka," and then spoke of the Buddha's five great declarations. What were the five?
In the past, as the Buddha lay on his deathbed, he declared: "King Asoka should take and send the Bodhi Tree to establish it in Lanka. At that time, the great southern branch of the Bodhi Tree will break off by itself and rest in a golden bowl." This was the first declaration.
He declared: "When it rests, the Great Bodhi Tree should enter within a cloud of snow." This was the second declaration.
He declared: "On the seventh day, it will descend from the cloud of snow, rest in the golden bowl, and its leaves and fruits will radiate light in six colors." This was the third declaration.
He declared: "On the day the right collarbone relic is placed in the shrine at the Thūpārāma, the Buddha will perform a twin miracle." This was the fourth declaration.
He declared: "When the relic of my own size is placed in the Great Shrine in Lanka, the Buddha's form shall rise into the sky and perform a twin miracle." This was the fifth declaration.
Hearing these five declarations, the king was filled with faith. He journeyed from Pāṭaliputta to the Great Bodhi Tree, examined the roads, and had much gold brought to make a golden bowl.
Now, the deity Vissakamma, perceiving the king's intention, took the form of a goldsmith and stood before him. The king said, "Take this gold and make a bowl."
The deity asked, "Your Majesty, what size should it be?"
The king said, "Make it as you see fit."
"Very well, I will make it," the deity replied. Taking the gold, he crushed it with his hand by his divine power and produced a golden bowl. It was nine cubits around, five cubits high, three cubits in diameter, and eight fingers thick. The mouth of the bowl was as large as an elephant's trunk.
The king then left Pāṭaliputta with a great army extending a yojana in length and a yojana in width, and led the holy community to the Great Bodhi Tree. The army surrounded the tree. Banners were raised, precious gems adorned it, various decorations were made, many flowers were spread, and music played in offering.
The king, leading a thousand people and accompanied by the elders and one thousand princes consecrated over all of Jambudīpa, stood beneath the Great Bodhi Tree and gazed upon it. The trunk of the Great Bodhi Tree, except for four cubits where the great southern branch rose, was nowhere to be seen. Seeing this miracle, the king's heart filled with joy, and he said to the monastic community, "Venerable ones, I rejoice at this miracle. I offer the Great Bodhi Tree the territory of all Jambudīpa." He then performed the consecration over the Bodhi Tree.
After offering incense and flowers, he circumambulated it three times, paid respects in eight directions, and stood with palms pressed together. He made a vow to take the Bodhi Tree and had a platform built from the ground up to the southern branch. He placed the golden bowl upon a bed made of all precious gems and ascended the jeweled seat. Taking a golden brush and carving into vermilion stone, he vowed: "If the Great Bodhi Tree is to be established in Lanka, and if I am a devotee of the Buddha's teaching, O Great Bodhi Tree, let it stand in this golden bowl."
At the very moment of this vow, the branch of the Bodhi Tree broke away from the cut in the vermilion stone and stood in the golden bowl filled with fragrant mud. Its trunk was ten cubits high. From it, five great branches emerged at every four cubits, adorned with five fruits, and a thousand smaller branches. Then the king made one cut in the root region at the height of three fingers, and from it, ten great roots arose. Around each, at three fingers above, he made nine more cuts, and from these, ninety roots emerged. The first ten great roots reached four cubits in length, while the others wove into a net-like pattern.
Standing on the jeweled seat, the king saw this miracle. He pressed his palms together and cried out in a great voice. Thousands of monks praised, "Well done!" The king's entire army raised shouts, and ten thousand cloths were flung into the air. From the gods on earth to those in the Brahma realm, all cried, "Well done!"
Seeing this miracle, the king was filled with joy that overflowed his body. As he stood with palms pressed together, the Great Bodhi Tree, with its hundred roots, stood within the golden bowl. The ten great roots reached down to the bottom of the golden bowl, while the remaining ninety roots grew gradually, holding fragrant mud as they stood.
When the Great Bodhi Tree was thus established in the golden bowl, the earth trembled, heavenly drums sounded in the sky, mountains danced, gods rejoiced, yakshas laughed, asuras sang praises, Brahmās clapped their hands, clouds thundered, four-footed beasts roared, birds sang, and all musical instruments sounded sweetly. From the earth up to the Brahma realm, a great uproar resounded. Each of the five branches radiated light in six colors from their fruits, like a jeweled canopy covering the entire iron mountain range, reaching up to the Brahma realm.
For seven days, the Great Bodhi Tree remained within a cloud of snow. No one could see the Great Bodhi Tree. The king descended from the jeweled seat and for seven days made offerings to the Great Bodhi Tree. On the seventh day, the snow clouds parted from all directions, radiating light in six colors. The Great Bodhi Tree stood visible, with its trunk, great and lesser branches, adorned with five fruits, resting in the golden bowl.
Seeing these miracles, the king was overjoyed and vowed: "I offer the territory of all Jambudīpa to the young Bodhi Tree." He again performed the consecration and stood near the Bodhi Tree for seven days.
The Great Bodhi Tree had settled into the golden bowl on the first day of the Pavāraṇā festival in the month of Kattika, at dusk. After spending seven days within the snow-cloud, and after seven days of consecration, on the Observance day of the dark fortnight, the king entered Pāṭaliputta for one day. On the first day of the bright fortnight of Kattika, he placed the Great Bodhi Tree beneath the great sāla tree in the east. On the seventeenth day after it was placed in the golden bowl, many new sprouts appeared on the Great Bodhi Tree. Seeing this, the king rejoiced and again offered the kingship to the Bodhi Tree, performing the consecration of all Jambudīpa.
On the full-moon day of Kattika, the novice Sumana, journeying to obtain the relics, made offerings at the Kattika festival to the Great Bodhi Tree. Then, bearing the Bodhi Tree upon the diamond seat, he brought it to Pāṭaliputta and said to the Bodhi Tree, "Take the Great Bodhi Tree."
She replied, "Well done."
王為護衛大菩提樹，與十八部之天神、八部之大臣、八部之婆羅門、八部之豪族、八部之番人、八部之達羅奢族、八部之迦憐迦族，為灌水而供與八個黃金瓶，八個之銀器，如是與隨從者與大菩提樹，使此在恒河乘船，王自己由城市出，過銀奢多義，漸次進行七日間，到陀摩利提港。其途上，天、龍、人間向大菩提樹行盛大之供養。王亦於海岸七日間立大菩提樹於全閻浮提授大王位。於此三次於閻浮提行授與王權。如是供養大王權，在摩迦尸羅月之第一日，阿育法王捧大菩提樹入於水中及頸，此安置於船中。僧伽蜜多大德尼與隨行者共乘船，向阿栗咤大臣如是言：「我三次於全閻浮提以王位供養大菩提樹，入水及頸，此以贈我友，彼亦應如是供養大菩提樹。」如是與友傳言：「然，大菩提樹放十力赫灼之光明而去。」悲泣合掌，流淚而立。大菩提乘船，船看見大王由出不遠之海面，大海一由旬之間風浪平靜，生五色蓮華之果實，虛空與起天之伎樂，住於空、水、陸、樹木諸天神開摧極盛大之供養會。僧伽蜜多化為金翅鳥形，於諸族受之威脅者，可驚之諸龍王來而見此威光，請大德尼從大菩提樹運去龍宮，七日間以供養龍王之位，再安置於船。其日船到達閻浮俱羅港。阿育大王與大菩提樹離別苦而痛心，涕泣只要視力所及而觀望，然後而還。
The king, to safeguard the great Bodhi tree, offered water from eight golden pitchers and eight silver vessels, accompanied by eighteen divisions of celestial beings, eight divisions of ministers, eight divisions of brahmins, eight divisions of nobles, eight divisions of guards, eight divisions of Dravida clans, and eight divisions of Kalinka clans. Thus, with his retinue and the great Bodhi tree, he placed it on a vessel to sail on the Ganges. The king himself, leaving the city, passed through the Silver Gate and journeyed gradually for seven days until he reached the Dhamalittha port. Along the way, heavenly beings, nagas, and humans paid grand homage to the great Bodhi tree. The king also, for seven days on the seashore, consecrated the great Bodhi tree with royal sovereignty over all Jambudipa. Three times in this manner he bestowed royal sovereignty on Jambudipa. Thus, having honored it with royal sovereignty, on the first day of the month of Maggasira, King Asoka, the Dharma ruler, carried the great Bodhi tree into the water up to his neck and placed it on the ship. The great elder nun Sangamitta, boarding the ship with her retinue, spoke to Minister Alitta: "Three times I have offered royal sovereignty to the great Bodhi tree across all Jambudipa, and entering the water up to my neck, I give this as a gift to my friend; let him likewise honor the great Bodhi tree." Thus she sent word to her friend, saying: "Yes, the great Bodhi tree departs, radiating the brilliant light of the Ten Powers." She stood weeping, with palms joined, tears flowing. As the great Bodhi tree sailed, and the ship was seen not far from where the king had set out, the sea became calm for a league, bearing fruits of five-colored lotuses. In the sky, celestial music arose, and gods dwelling in space, water, land, and trees held an exceedingly grand offering festival. Sangamitta, assuming the form of a golden-winged garuda, appeared before the fearsome naga kings who threatened various clans. Beholding her radiant power, they entreated the great elder nun to take the great Bodhi tree to the naga realm, honoring it with naga kingship for seven days, and then placed it back on the ship. On that day, the ship arrived at the Jambukola port. King Asoka, tormented by the pain of parting from the great Bodhi tree, wept and gazed as long as his sight could reach, and then returned.
天愛帝須大王亦從修摩那沙彌之語，摩迦尸羅月之初日以來，由城之北門至閻浮俱羅港清掃嚴飾道路，由城出之日在城北門近處，是否可在海岸立家？依大德之神力放其威光由大海而近岸，見大菩提樹出來而大歡喜，令全道路散五色之華，各處設置華供養所。一日而達閻浮俱羅港，一切伎樂所圍繞供華香而入水中至頭頸：「然，十力光明赫灼大菩提樹到來。」歡喜而起信心以捧大菩提樹，安住於頭上圍繞大菩提樹漸到達，與十六人之貴族共由海中徒涉而來，菩提樹立海岸，於三日間全銅鍱島供養王位，令十六人之貴族執政治。第四日奉載大菩提樹行大供養漸到達阿㝹羅陀城。在阿㝹羅陀城亦行大法會，第十四日黃昏，大菩提樹由城之北門進入，經由城之中央而出城之南門，隔城南門五百弓之處，此處吾等之正等覺者坐入滅盡定，又過去三佛曾在此入禪定而坐。又鳩留孫佛之立摩訶尸利菩提樹、俱那含佛之宇頓婆羅菩提樹、迦葉佛之尼具盧達菩提樹。在大雲園林之提羅迦樹之處，依修摩那沙彌之語，開拓新土地於王城門之樓閣處，令安立大菩提樹。何以故？來圍繞菩提樹此之十六人貴族，著王之裝束，王著門衛之服，十六人之貴族，取大菩提樹置於此地。大菩提樹是否將彼等之手離去，即騰上高達八十肘之虛空而放六色之光明。赫灼之光明徧於全島，上入梵天界。見大菩提樹之神變，一萬人起信心，於次第獲得知見，得阿羅漢果而出家。至日落止大菩提樹立於虛空，日沒赤牛星落在地上，菩提樹之安住時共至水際大地震動。大菩提樹安住後，再七日間止住於雪胎，去了此世界不能見之處。第七日天空雲晴。六色之光明徧照。大菩提樹之幹及枝出現五個之果實。摩哂陀大德、僧伽蜜多大德尼、王并其從者共往大菩提樹之處，全島之住民來會者次第增加其數。彼等之間親眼看到北枝一果熟而離枝，大德手出伸出，果實即安住大德之手。大德：「大王！應植之。」而授王。王取而散布如黃金瓶蜜之土壤，盛有薰香之泥土，植大菩提樹，以此令立其座。一切人在見之間生長四手尺八根之小菩提樹。王見此神變，於八根之小菩提樹供蓋白傘而王位灌頂。由大菩提樹之到來之時，一菩提樹最初止住植於閻浮提羅港，一樹於達瓦迦婆羅門村之入口、一樹於塔園、一樹於他化自在天寺、一樹於第一支帝耶處、一樹於支帝耶山、一樹於樓醯那地方之迦多羅村、一樹於移植樓醯那地方之旃檀村。由其他四個之種子三十二根幼菩提樹植於周圍一由旬之園。如是子孫相傳為徧島住民之利益安穩，安立十力者法幢之大菩提樹。阿㝹羅夫人與五百人之童女及五百之宮女等一千人婦人俱於僧伽蜜多大德尼之處出家，不久與從者共得阿羅漢果。王之外甥阿栗咤亦與五百男俱於大德之處出家，不久與從者共得阿羅漢果。
King Devānampiyatissa, following the words of the novice Sumana, from the first day of the month of Māgasira, had the road from the city’s north gate to the port of Jambukola cleared and decorated. When the day came for the great bodhi tree to leave the city, the king wondered, “Can we set up a home near the north gate by the sea?” Then, by the power of the elder, the tree’s radiant glory spread from the great ocean toward the shore. Seeing the great bodhi tree emerging, the king was overjoyed. He had the entire road strewn with flowers of five colors and set up offerings of blossoms at various places. In a single day, he reached the port of Jambukola, surrounded by all kinds of music, and offered flowers and incense as he entered the water up to his neck, thinking, “Indeed, the great bodhi tree of the Ten-powered One, blazing with light, has arrived.” Filled with joy and faith, he lifted the great bodhi tree, placed it upon his head, and, encircling it, gradually advanced. Together with sixteen nobles, he waded from the sea, and the bodhi tree was set upon the shore. For three days, offerings were made over the whole island of Tambapaṇṇi as if to a king, while the sixteen nobles were entrusted with governance. On the fourth day, they loaded the great bodhi tree and, with great offerings, gradually reached Anurādhapura. There, too, a great festival was held. On the evening of the fourteenth day, the great bodhi tree entered through the city’s north gate, passed through the center of the city, and left by the south gate. Five hundred bow-lengths beyond the south gate lay the place where our Fully Enlightened One had sat in the attainment of cessation, and where the three past Buddhas had also sat in meditation. There, too, stood the Mahāśrī bodhi tree of Kakusandha Buddha, the Uddumbara bodhi tree of Koṇāgamana Buddha, and the Nigrodha bodhi tree of Kassapa Buddha. Near the Tiroka tree in the Mahāmeghavana garden, following the words of the novice Sumana, new land was cleared, and at the gateway of the royal palace, the great bodhi tree was established. Why? The sixteen nobles who had come to surround the bodhi tree wore royal attire, while the king wore the garb of a gatekeeper. The sixteen nobles took the great bodhi tree and placed it upon that spot. Did the great bodhi tree leave their hands? It rose into the sky to a height of eighty cubits and emitted light of six colors. Its brilliant radiance spread over the entire island and ascended even to the Brahmā realm. Seeing this miracle of the great bodhi tree, ten thousand people gained faith, and in due course attained insight, renounced the world, and realized the fruit of arhatship. Until sunset, the great bodhi tree remained in the sky. When the sun set and the star Rohiṇī arose, it descended to the earth. At the moment the bodhi tree settled, the earth trembled to the water’s edge. After the great bodhi tree had settled, it remained hidden for seven days in the snowy womb, passing beyond the sight of this world. On the seventh day, the sky cleared. The six-colored radiance shone everywhere. Five fruits appeared on the trunk and branches of the great bodhi tree. The elder Mahinda, the nun Saṅghamittā, the king, and his followers together approached the great bodhi tree, and the people of the whole island gathered in ever-increasing numbers. Among them, they saw with their own eyes a fruit on the northern branch ripen and detach from the branch. The elder extended his hand, and the fruit settled in his palm. The elder said, “Great king, this should be planted,” and gave it to the king. The king took it and scattered it upon soil like gold, mixed with honey and fragrant earth, and planted the great bodhi tree, thereby establishing its seat. In the sight of all, eight young bodhi trees grew four hand-spans tall. Seeing this miracle, the king offered white umbrellas to the eight young trees and performed the ceremony of royal consecration over them. From the time the great bodhi tree arrived: one tree was first planted at the port of Jambukola, one at the entrance of the Brāhmaṇa village of Tivakka, one at the Cetiyagiri monastery, one at the temple of Paranimmitavasavatti, one at the first cetiya, one at Cetiyagiri mountain, one at the village of Kaddara in the Rohaṇa district, and one transplanted at the village of Candana in the Rohaṇa district. From the other four seeds, thirty-two young bodhi trees were planted in a garden surrounding an area of one yojana. Thus, passed down from generation to generation, for the welfare and happiness of the island’s inhabitants, the great bodhi tree, banner of the Dharma of the Ten-powered One, was established. Queen Anulā, with five hundred maidens and five hundred palace women—a thousand women in all—renounced the world under the nun Saṅghamittā, and soon, together with her followers, attained arhatship. The king’s nephew Arittha, with five hundred men, also renounced under the elder, and soon, together with his followers, attained arhatship.