Sacred Trees

K G H Munidasa

H F Macmillan, one time curator of the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, while discussing the subject of Sacred Trees has thus observed.

"Sacred Trees are not always those which serve useful purposes. On the contrary, utility would appear to be a disadvantage, for if intensely sacred, no part of the tree may be cut or utilized by its devotees."

As an example, Macmillan cites the case of the Bo-tree Ficus religiosa, most sacred tree in India and Sri Lanka, being venerated by Hindus and Buddhists alike. When a Bo-tree is in a threatening position, or a seedling grows spontaneously in the crevice of a building, bridge etc a non-Buddhist must be found to 'deal with the offending tree'. No devout Buddhist would knowingly harm even the smallest Bo-seedling.

Banyan Ficus benghalensis Nuga (Sin) and Ruk Horsfieldia iryaghedhi are revered by the average Buddhist as supposed abodes of celestial beings.

Lanka Ironwood Mesua ferrea Na (Sin), Sepalika or Night flowering Jasmine Nyctanthes arbor-tristis and Temple Trees, Plumeria acuminata Araliya (Sin) are trees generally planted near temples, their highly fragrant flowers being esteemed as temple offerings.

Buddhist temples

The Sal Tree Couroupita guianensis Sal (Sin) or Nagalinga Poomaran (Tam) is often planted near Buddhist temples. Though not generally be called beautiful it is a remarkably striking tree when in bloom. The four-six feet long woody racemes of large pink and white flowers crowd along the trunk from the base upward, giving the tree a glamorous look. Its popular English name Cannon-ball Tree is used in consequence of its large globular fruits.

The Sal tree is a native of Tropical South America and was naturalized in Sri Lanka (Peradeniya) in 1881.

The Flame of-the-Forest Butea monosperma Gas-Kela (Sin) or Parasu (Tam) is a beautiful tree especially sacred to the Brahmins. An erect tree with large leathery leaves it is indigenous to the dry forests regions of India, Sri Lanka and Burma. In the dry months the tree bears a profusion of crimson or orange-scarlet flowers, which are much used as votive offerings.

Another small tree, sacred to the Hindus generally all over India, is the Sami Tree (Sacred Tree) Prosopis spicigera. The Padri Tree Stereospermum xylocarpum is yet another sacred Indian tree.

Sacred to Hindus

A herbaceous perennial growing to a height of two-three feet and identified in our villages as Thalaa or Maduru-thala Ocimum sanctum is said to be the most Sacred Plant in the Hindu religion, being consequently grown near every Hindu home throughout India.

In parts of Africa spirits of ancestors are supposed to inhabit certain species of trees, which are held sacred and worshipped. The Sausage Tree Kigelia pinnata of Tropical Africa, with spreading branches and bearing curious gourd-like fruits, is venerated by the natives.

In similar manner, a handsome flowering tree indigenous to our dry zone jungles (Eastern Province) is said to be held sacred by the Lankan Veddas. Identified by the scientific name Sterculia colarata or Kenavila (Sin) or Malaiparuttu (Tam) it is said that these aboriginal peoples used to sing odes to it (Macmillan). Neem Tree, Margosa Azadirachta indica, Kohomba (Sin) is another common tree that should be regarded as sacred to the Hindus.

In China and Japan a certain shrub, known by the popular name of Nandin or Sacred Bamboo Nandina domestica is a sacred plant. This produces large panicles of creamy flowers, followed by red berries, which are much esteemed as temple offerings.