Burma . substantial masonry it is a frequent adjunct of the temples. The Bo tree {Bawdi-biii), together with the rest of Ave. ficus family, is sacred to the Hindu. The Bo is a variety of the pipal {ficjis religiose/), a deciduous ficus with long copper-coloured acumina to the leaves. It is sacred to the Buddhists because it was while resting under the shade of a Bo tree at Gdya in Bahar, 600 years before Christ, that Gawdama realised the vanity of the ceremonial and ascetic systems, resisted temptation, and attained to supreme enlightenment, which, as Buddha, it became his mission to impart to
Burma . substantial masonry it is a frequent adjunct of the temples. The Bo tree {Bawdi-biii), together with the rest of Ave. ficus family, is sacred to the Hindu. The Bo is a variety of the pipal {ficjis religiose/), a deciduous ficus with long copper-coloured acumina to the leaves. It is sacred to the Buddhists because it was while resting under the shade of a Bo tree at Gdya in Bahar, 600 years before Christ, that Gawdama realised the vanity of the ceremonial and ascetic systems, resisted temptation, and attained to supreme enlightenment, which, as Buddha, it became his mission to impart to mankind. The Bo tree is to Buddhists what the Cross is to Christians (Bigandet). The original Mahd-bodi was piously tended while Buddhism flourished in India, and trees propagated from it were planted by Buddhist pilgrims. Such a tree is the historical Bo tree at Anuradhapiira in Ceylon, planted in 245 and still flourishing. Young plants cultivated from this tree are brought home to 32. bawdi INFERIOR RELIGIOUS ORDERS 39 spy ^H 83. DAUTOHA YATHE. Burma by pilgrims. Dried and gilt leaves arealso brought as relics. The seeds of the tropical^cus species germinate in the fork of some othertree or in a cranny of masonry and flourish insuch mould as they find. The roots developthick bands which dislodge the masonry, but,interlacing in all directions, hold the loosematerial together while the tree hves ; or else,when the host is another tree, strangle it andtake its place (Nos. 7y, 245, 321). The yahdn are not the only religious celi-bates of Burma. Several other classes followthis way of life, observing many or few rules,according to their own choice. Nearest to theyahdn are the yatM. They depend chiefly onalms, but cultivate gardens for appeal for alms is mute, they accept themin money as well as in kind, and they lay upa store for actual needs. They take food in theforenoon only. Ihe. yathe, who are few in num-ber, live in forest caves or in derelict s
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