BoC conducts sand strewing ceremony

The white-sand strewing ceremony at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Upper Maluwa and Lower Maluwa, Anuradhapura, was conducted under the patronage of the Bank of Ceylon (BoC) with the blessings and the guidance the Atamasthanadipathi of Anuradhapura, the Ven. Dr. Pallegama Siriniwasa Thera.

It was organised by the Bank's North Central Province Assistant General Manager H.M.P.B. Herath and staff. This act of devotion takes place annually with the participation of Board members and the management of BoC.

Chairman, Roland C. Perera was also present.

Thousands of Buddhists come to worship the Jaya Shri Maha Bodhi daily and this act will provide a cleaner environment. Changing sand in this manner is also considered to be beneficial to the roots of the sacred Bo Tree.

The sacred Jaya Shri Maha Bodhi is widely considered the world's oldest historically recorded important tree. Worshiped by Buddhists all over the world, the Jaya Shri Maha Bodhi was brought to Sri Lanka in 249 BC by Sangha Mitta Theri, the daughter of Emperor Asoka of India.

The Theri and the sapling were accorded royal honour and received with great reverence by King Devanampiyatissa who planted the sapling in the Mahamewna Uyana, Anuradhapura, the royal garden.

The chronicles of Sinhalese, known as the Mahawansa states that miracles occurred during the ceremony of planting the Jaya Shri Maha Bodhi sapling. Since then the Bodhi has been worshipped as one of the most sacred objects of Buddhist worship.