C32 



NOTE TO CHAPTEE II. 



THE SACRED BO-TREE. 



The follomng passages serving to indicate the prolonged 

 existence of the Bo-tree planted by Devenipiatissa, B.C. 288, 

 and to identify it with the tree still existing at Anarajapoora, 

 are extracted from the several historical works which treat of 

 Ceylon. 



B.C. 288. The tree was planted by Devenipiatissa. {3faha- 

 luanso, ch. xix. p. 121.) 



B.C. 161. The King Dutugaimimu "caused a splendid and 

 magnificent festival of offerings to the Bo-tree to 

 be celebrated." {Mahaiuanso, ch. xxvi. p. 165.) 



B.C. 136. The King Batiyatissa I., "in honour of the pre- 

 eminent Bo-tree, celebrated annually, without in- 

 termission, the solemn festival of watering it." 

 {Mahaiuanso, ch. xxxiv. p. 212. 



A. D. 62. "The King Waahsaba kept up an illumination of 

 one thousand lamps at the Chetiyo mountain at 

 the Thuparama, at the Mahathupo, and at the Bo- 

 tree." {Mahaiuanso, ch. xxxv. p. 221.) "He 

 also caused exquisite statues to be formed of the 

 four Buddhas of their exact stature, and built 

 an edifice to contain them near the delightful Bo- 

 tree." {Ibid,) 



A. T). 179. "The next king was called Koohoona Raja, wlio 

 caused a stone stair to be erected on the four 

 sides of the consecrated Bo-gaha tree." {Raja- 

 ratnacari, p. 60 ; Mahawanso, ch. xxxvi. p. 226.) 



A. D. 201. King Waira Tissa " caused to be formed two halls, 

 one at the INIalia wihara, and another on the south- 

 east side of the Bo-tree, and two metallic images, 

 for them." {Mahaivanso, ch. xxxvi. p. 226 ; Ra- 

 jaratnacari, p. 60.) 



