Around 300 pilgrims arrived from Buddhist Town in Hesperia California on June 5 for a chance to see the Holy Vajra Poles and participate in the Dharma Assembly of the Bodhi Tree Blessing Ceremony conducted by Ven. Bodagama Chandima and his delegation of monks from Sri Lanka. He also presented us with one of the Gold Stupas that had been exhibited at Buddhist Town the previous day.
The video still needs editing, but I wanted to share with you the joy and devotion of all who came from Asia and America and the dedication of the many who helped to create the event. They were not disappointed. The Holy Vajra Poles shook and that is also shown. I heard that another tree rained nectar, but have yet to know which one. The mulberry tree that first gave us nectar when the nuns from Heartwood Refuge Monastery did their solitary retreat here was also raining nectar again and I am told it was very fragrant. You can also hear a bit of Ven. Chandima’s beautiful chanting with the other Theravada monks the Pali suttas to bless the Bodhi Tree and all present. I only wish we had recorded more. We were blessed.
The Bodhi Tree came from Sri Lanka, from the great Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura that was a descendent of the original Bodhi Tree under which Shakyamuni Buddha became enlightened. The daughter of Emperor Asoka had brought it there in 288 BCE. Ven. Chandima has promised to bring other Holy Bodhi Trees to Buddhist Town when he develops his Sri Lankan Center and Stupa there. I want to add a special thanks to Bhikkhu Gunaratana who gifted us with this Bodhi Tree over ten years ago.
You may have noticed the paintings of three of the Four Heavenly Kings in the entrance to the temple in the video. They are not finished yet and I have much to do on the fourth painting AND they will be graced by the Buddha Master’s beautiful Yun frames when they are finished, but I wanted them here to grace the Buddha Hall for this event.
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