A sapling of the Sacred Sri Maha Bodhi was planted auspiciously at Frohnau Buddhist temple in Germany on 30 September 2018. The sacred sapling was presented to Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Germany Karunasena Hettiarachchi on 27 September 2018 by a delegation comprising senior Buddhist monks, including Ven. Dr. Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayaka Thero – Atamasthanadhipathi, Chief Sanghanayaka of Northcentral Province.
Senior Government officials, Trustees of the German Dharmaduta Society - Mr. Senaka Weeraratne and Mr. Ananda Wimaladharma and a large number of Sri Lankan and German Buddhists participated in the ceremony. The sacred Bo sapling was brought to the temple in a colorful procession, organized by the devotees.
After the alms giving ceremony, special religious observances were conducted to bless the President, Prime Minister and the people of Sri Lanka and Germany.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Hettiarachchi thanked all parties who assisted the Embassy in this meritorious act of bringing down the sacred sapling, especially the President of Sri Lanka. The Ambassador also thanked Mr. Asela Iddawela - Chairman of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau and Project Director of the Presidential Task Force on Prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease, and the representatives of the German Dharmaduta Society for their assistance.
As Sri Lanka and Germany celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations, the planting of the sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi in Frohnau Buddhist temple further strengthens the bilateral, religious and cultural ties between the two countries and also creates an opportunity for all Buddhists in Germany to pay their reverence to the sacred sapling.
