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The bodhi-tree planted by
Ānanda at the
entrance to Jetavana.
The people of Sāvatthi, led by
Anāthapindika, suggested to Ānanda that some place should be provided where they might offer flowers and
perfumes in the name of the Buddha, when the Buddha was away on his periodical
tours.
After consultation with the Buddha, Ānanda obtained, with
Moggallāna's
assistance, a fruit from the bodhi-tree at Gayā, and had it planted at the
gateway of Jetavana in the presence of a large and distinguished gathering,
including Pasenadi Kosala and
Visākhā.
The seed was planted by Anāthapindika in
a golden jar filled with fragrant earth. Immediately a sapling sprang up, fifty
cubits tall, with five branches, each fifty cubits long.
The king poured round
the tree perfumed water from eight hundred jars of gold and silver.
In order to
consecrate the new tree, the Buddha, at Ānanda's request, sat under it for one
night, in the rapture of samāpatti.
Because the tree was planted by Ānanda, it
became known as Ānandabodhi (J.iv.228-30).
Pilgrims who came to the Buddha at
Jetavana were in the habit of paying respect to the Ānandabodhi (J.ii.321).
The Paduma Jātaka and the
Kālingabodhi Jātaka were both preached in reference to
this bodhi-tree.

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