[Intro]
In ancient days beneath the sky,
When Buddha Vipassī's teachings shone,
A monk brought flowers with devotion,
And watered the Bodhi tree alone.
[Verse 1]
A handful of flowers, a vessel of water,
A simple offering from a faithful heart.
Beneath the tree of sacred wisdom,
He honored the path that sets us apart.
The Buddha found the way to freedom,
And showed all beings how to be free.
He conquered craving and delusion,
And taught the truth for humanity.
[Chorus]
Water the Bodhi, let wisdom grow,
Plant seeds of kindness wherever you go.
Flowers may fade and seasons may change,
But Dhamma's light will always remain.
Water the Bodhi within your heart,
Let faith and wisdom become your art.
With virtue and mindfulness every day,
Walk on the path to the peaceful way.
[Verse 2]
Ninety-one aeons passed before us,
Yet wholesome deeds were not in vain.
Through many lives of faith and effort,
The seeds of wisdom still remained.
In Gotama Buddha's time he entered,
The path of truth with a peaceful mind.
Before too long, he reached liberation,
Leaving all defilements behind.
[Bridge]
The Bodhi tree reminds us of awakening,
The Four Noble Truths reveal the way.
Do not stop at flowers and offerings,
Practice the Dhamma every day.
[Final Chorus]
Water the Bodhi, let wisdom grow,
Plant seeds of kindness wherever you go.
Flowers may fade and seasons may change,
But Dhamma's light will always remain.
Water the Bodhi within your heart,
Let faith and wisdom become your art.
With virtue and mindfulness every day,
Walk on the path to the peaceful way.
[Outro]
Water the tree and let it flourish,
Water the heart with wisdom bright.
Honor the Buddha through your practice,
And walk toward freedom's light.
The Story of Bodhisiñcaka Thera: The Merit of Watering the Bodhi Tree
Buddhist News and Dhamma Commentary | Tipitaka Volume 32, Khuddaka Nikāya, Apadāna, Timirapupphiya Vagga, Discourse 89
1. Background and Historical Account
The Bodhisiñcaka Thera Apadāna tells the story of a monk who accumulated merit through worshipping and watering the Bodhi tree during the time of Buddha Vipassī.
According to the Pali Canon, Volume 32, Discourse 91, a celebration was held in honor of the Great Bodhi Tree associated with the Blessed One, Buddha Vipassī.
At that time, the future Bodhisiñcaka Thera was a monk. He brought flowers, known as Kosuma flowers, to offer in worship and poured water onto the Bodhi tree.
While performing this act, he reflected upon the Buddha's supreme qualities:
"The Blessed One has attained liberation and will lead all beings toward liberation. The Blessed One has extinguished defilements and will guide all beings toward their own extinguishing of defilements."
These words express his understanding of the Buddha's wisdom and great compassion. The Buddha had discovered the path to freedom from suffering and taught that path for the benefit of all living beings.
The elder stated that this wholesome deed had occurred ninety-one aeons before the present aeon. Through this merit, he declared that he had never experienced an unfortunate destination.
He also mentioned that during the thirty-third aeon before the present one, there were eight universal monarchs bearing the name Udakāsejana, as recorded in his verses.
Eventually, he attained the Four Analytical Knowledges, the Eight Liberations, and the Six Higher Knowledges. He declared that he had completed his duties under the Buddha's teaching.
2. Biography According to the Commentary
The commentary provides additional details about his past lives and his final life during the dispensation of Gotama Buddha.
During the time of Buddha Vipassī
Bodhisiñcaka Thera had accumulated wholesome merits under previous Buddhas over many lifetimes, preparing the conditions for his eventual attainment of Nibbāna.
During the time of Buddha Vipassī, he was born into a respectable family and entered the monastic order.
He conducted himself properly as a monk and contributed to the flourishing of the Buddha's teaching through his disciplined conduct.
One day, he saw many people worshipping the Bodhi tree. He therefore arranged for flowers and fragrant offerings to be brought and used in worship.
Through this wholesome action, he was reborn in heavenly realms and enjoyed the celestial happiness of all six sensual heavenly planes.
During the time of Gotama Buddha
During the dispensation of Gotama Buddha, he was born into a respectable family.
As he grew older, he developed faith in the Buddha's teaching and renounced worldly life to become a monk.
According to the commentary, he attained arahantship not long after ordination.
After attaining arahantship, he enjoyed the happiness associated with the fruits of meditative absorption.
He subsequently recollected his previous wholesome actions and experienced great joy. He then proclaimed his past deeds through the verses of the Bodhisiñcaka Thera Apadāna.
The commentary also explains the significance of the term Mahābodhi, connecting it with the four stages of path knowledge and the Buddha's realization of the Four Noble Truths.
Thus, the Bodhi tree is not merely a tree. It is a powerful symbol associated with the Buddha's enlightenment and supreme wisdom.
3. Six Important Dhamma Lessons
1. Gratitude and appreciation
Worshipping the Bodhi tree represents remembrance of the Buddha's wisdom and compassion. We should also remember those who have benefited us and respond with wholesome actions.
2. Faith supported by wisdom
The elder did not merely water the tree. He reflected upon the Buddha's liberation and his teaching that leads all beings toward freedom from suffering.
3. Reverence and worship
Offering flowers and watering the Bodhi tree demonstrate respect. The highest form of worship, however, is practicing the Buddha's teaching.
4. Heedfulness
Watering a tree requires consistency and care. Similarly, spiritual development requires continuous effort and mindfulness.
5. Loving-kindness and compassion
The elder's words reflect the Buddha's great compassion and his intention to guide all beings toward liberation.
6. Wisdom and liberation
Worship can inspire faith, but the ultimate goal is to develop wisdom, understand the Four Noble Truths, and eliminate all mental defilements.
4. Spiritual Attainments
The elder declared that he had realized three groups of extraordinary attainments:
The Four Analytical Knowledges: understanding of meaning, Dhamma, language, and analytical insight.
The Eight Liberations: eight forms of mental liberation.
The Six Higher Knowledges: supernatural powers, divine hearing, knowledge of others' minds, recollection of past lives, divine vision, and the destruction of mental defilements.
These attainments demonstrate his spiritual accomplishment, particularly the destruction of the mental taints through the knowledge of their complete eradication.
5. Conclusion
The story of Bodhisiñcaka Thera teaches us about the value of faith, reverence, and the cultivation of wholesome actions.
A monk once offered flowers and watered the Bodhi tree during the time of Buddha Vipassī. Through this act of devotion and the accumulation of spiritual qualities, he eventually attained arahantship during the time of Gotama Buddha.
The story reminds us that worship should not remain merely a ritual. It should inspire us to develop wisdom, compassion, discipline, and understanding.
The central message: Watering the Bodhi tree preserves a symbol of enlightenment. Watering the Bodhi tree within our hearts means cultivating faith, morality, concentration, and wisdom until suffering comes to an end.
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