The ceremony of consecration of a sapling of Holy Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya took place at Kanha Shanti Vanam, the world’s largest meditation centre, located on the outskirts of Hyderabad, India on 27th of September 2024. The event coincided with the birth anniversary of Rev. Daaji, Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission, signifying a convergence of traditions dedicated to inner peace and collective consciousness.
Geshe Damdul Dorji , representing His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Ven. Khemachara Thero, Deputy Secretary General of International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), Dr. Damenda Porage, Global Dhamma Secretary of IBC (from Sri Lanka), Dr. Shermila Milroy, Secretary, Sri Lankan Tibetan Buddhist Brotherhood Society (Sri Lanka) and Dhamma Secretary of IBC, graced the occasion as esteemed guests. Buddhist monks from Gaya, Sri Lanka, and various other locations joined the consecration ceremony, which was witnessed by approximately 60,000 Heartfulness practitioners both in person and virtually.
Dr. Damenda Porage addressing the gathering, remarked the importance of bringing a sapling from the Holy Bodhi Tree from Bodhgaya. In addition, he said that “The descendent from the holy Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya is coming to Heartfulness. This Bodhi tree is considered the tree of awakening under which the Buddha attained his enlightenment in the fifth century BC. For us in Sri Lanka, it is very holy because we received a descendent of the holy tree in 239 BC from the daughter of Emperor Ashoka. Pujya Daaji brought the holy tree to this land, and it is a great blessing for all of us who have gathered here. This holy tree is a wishing tree. Millions of people go to Bodh Gaya and Sri Lanka, and this is a very significant moment for all of us.”
Young ordinance from the Mahabodhi Buddha Vihara in Hyderabad and approximately 60,000 Heartfulness practitioners both in person and virtually attended the event.