As a mark of friendship between Sri Lanka and Australia, a sapling of the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was ceremonially planted at the Bodhi Dhamma Buddhist Vihara in Bendigo, Australia on 09 June 2024. The Guardian of the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Atamasthanadhipathi, Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero led the religious blessings and observances during the ceremony.
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake graced this historic occasion accompanied by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Australia Chitranganee Wagiswara and Consul General of Sri Lanka to South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria Sandith Samarasinghe.
Minister Wickramanayake was invited as the Chief Guest of the event by the Bodhi Dhamma Buddhist Vihara, which had initiated the proceedings to bring down the sapling to Australia.
Highlighting the importance of the event as a testament to the strong bilateral relations between the two countries, the event was also attended by several high-level dignitaries, including Victorian Premier MP Jacinta Allan, Victorian Parliamentary Speaker Maree Edwards, Federal Parliament Member for Bendigo Lisa Chester, other senior ministers, members of Parliament and regional representatives.
Ms. Allan, who is also the MP for Bendigo East, expressed pride that her constituency would be home to a sapling of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi. She also expressed confidence that it would inspire generations with its message of connection and community, as it has inspired generations before.
In his official message for the occasion, Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese welcomed the sacred Bodhi tree as a gift to the Buddhist community in Australia, and to Australians as a whole. While recognizing the enduring contribution of the Buddhist community to a multicultural nation, he expressed his hope that, as the Bodhi tree thrives in the warmth of Australian soil, so would the Buddhist values of respect and kindness flourish in the community.
More than 1500 members of the public both Buddhists and non-Buddhists from all over Australia attended the event, including individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
The sapling, which was originally been brought to Australia in 2019, had since been under the care of scientists of the Australian Department of Agriculture, till it reached the size and strength to be planted in the soil.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Melbourne
03 July 2024
