Sacred Sri Lanka tree out of the woods in Taiwan

A sapling from a Sri Lankan bodhi tree deeply revered by Buddhists has at last made it into Taiwan after being rejected by quarantine authorities for fear of parasites.

The sapling from the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi, believed to be descended from the bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment, was detained at customs due to regulations forbidding imports of Sri Lanka bodhi trees with roots, Reuters reported.

Taiwan's Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society, which received the sapling as a gift from the Sri Lankan Government, said it was treated by a renowned tree surgeon, flown overseas and then sent back to Taiwan for a second try. "The treatment was acceptable to the Bureau of Agriculture," said Ling Jiou Mountain spokeswoman Jean Chiou. "It went to Hong Kong and then came in successfully."

Chiou said the sapling, which was escorted by a Sri Lankan Member of Parliament and two monks, is scheduled to be planted on Sunday at a ceremony with Vice President Annette Lu in attendance.

The Ling Jiou Mountain Society was given the saplings after its founder received an award from Sri Lanka for the advancement of Buddhism.