2,500-year-old Buddha tree still alive: scientists

Bodhi-tree can be more than 2500 years old.

KOLKATA, India, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The 2,500-year-old tree under which Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment is still alive and healthy, scientists said Thursday. The Bodhi tree is fully healthy, said Subhash Nautiyal, who along with his colleague, both scientists from Forest Research Institute in Dehradun India's northern state of Uttarakhand.

 

The Bodhi tree is located in Bodh Gaya in India's eastern state of Bihar, around 100 km from the state capital of Patna.

 

The scientists after examining the tree removed the cement slabs around its base and said, It will help the tree to receive water and nutrition in its roots.

 

The 1,500-year-old temple stands behind the sacred tree and a large number of tourists from all over the world particularly from Japan visit the site each year.

 

 

by (Beijing Time) Xinhua English
2012-07-19