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Kalutara Bodhiya is a Bodhi tree (sacred fig) located in Kalutara, Western Province of Sri Lanka. Situated on the Galle Colombo main road, by the side of Kalu River just south to the Kalutara city, it is believed to be one of the 32 saplings of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.〔(【引用サイトリンク】 title=Kalutara Bodhiya )〕 A Buddhist temple Kalutara Viharaya and a modern Stupa, Kalutara Chaitya are located in close proximity to this sacred fig.〔(Kalutara Temple (Kalutara Bodiya) )〕 One of the most venerated religious place in Sri Lanka, hundreds of Buddhists visit this religious place daily.〔 ==History== Kalutara Bodhiya is an old Bodhi tree which is identified as one of the 32 saplings of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi which was planted during the reign of king Devanampiyatissa in the 2 century BC at Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.〔(Kaluthara Bodhi-Gateway To The South ), Angelfire.com〕 According to ancient chronicle Sinhala Bodhiwamsa 32 saplings of sacred figs, which were sprouted from Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi were planted in various parts of the country as instructed by Arahant Mahinda Thera. Further the chronicle states that this Bodhi tree existed intact till the 15th century AD. However it is said that the Buddhist public started to consider this place as a sacred place after a Pandyan prince named Wickrema Pandya planted a Bodhi tree at the Pahala Maluwa of the Kaluthara Bodhi premises in 1042 AD.〔 It is also said that Wickrema Pandya served as a viceroy in Kalutara area during that period. After the Portuguese took over the control of Maritime Provinces of Sri Lanka in 16 th century, the site of the Kalutara Bodhiya was converted in to a fort probably due to strategic importance of its location. After the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English who succeeded them as colonial rulers of Sri Lanka, also used Kalutara Bodhi premises for administrative and military purposes. During the 19 th century when the British government started to construct rail roads in Sri Lanka, it was decided to remove this Bodhi tree as it was obstructing the initial plans to build the Kalutara Railway bridge. But it was later decided to construct the bridge without harming the Bodhi tree, due to the protests made by the Buddhist public whom were lead by Sandanayake Upasaka, a Buddhist laymen in Kalutara area.〔(【引用サイトリンク】 title=Forgotten Heritage : Symbolic Kalutara Bodhiya )〕 The modern development of Kalutara Bodhiya as a religious place initiated when the Kalutara Buddhist Society was formed in 1931. The main objectives of this society were the welfare of the Buddhists and the development of Buddhism in Kalutara area. After Ceylon gained independence from Britain in 1948, the newly appointed government led by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. D. S. Senanayake on the request made by Sir. Cyrill de Soysa, took measures to remove other establishments from the area to keep Kalutara Bodhiya site only for religious purposes.〔〔(【引用サイトリンク】 title=Kalutara Bodhi Chaitya - 1974 )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Kalutara Bodhiya」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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