“Why do we have to worship the Bodhi tree?” I asked my master. I was ten years old little novice, and I was curious. I had a lot of questions in my mind, and I wanted to know everything. We were sweeping the compound. People were lighting candles, and incense sticks, offering flowers, and worshipping the Bodhi tree.
“To pay homage.” He simply answered and started sweeping again.
“Why do we have to pay homage to the tree?” I asked thoughtfully.
“Siddhartha attained enlightenment under this tree and became Buddha.” He tried to explain. “This marked the culmination of his quest for understanding the nature of existence, suffering, and the path to liberation.”
“It is just a tree, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but, as a result, the Bodhi Tree is revered as a symbol of enlightenment, awakening, and spiritual realization. Buddhists pay homage to the Bodhi Tree as a way of expressing reverence and gratitude for the Buddha's enlightenment and the teachings he subsequently shared with the world. It serves as a reminder of the potential for enlightenment within each individual and the importance of seeking the truth and liberation from suffering.”
I was listening to him carefully, and he continued.
“Visiting the Bodhi Tree and offering homage is also a common practice among Buddhists as part of pilgrimage or spiritual journey. It's seen as a way to connect with the historical roots of Buddhism and to draw inspiration from the Buddha's enlightenment experience. Additionally, the Bodhi Tree serves as a focal point for meditation and reflection for practitioners seeking deeper insight into the teachings of Buddhism.”
Now I am a philosophy student and a school teacher. I meet many types of students; some of them are very curious like me when I was young and a little novice monk. Satang is one of them. He is curious. He is thoughtful. He doesn’t believe in things easily. He likes to ask a lot of questions. He wants to know. He is very interested in astronomy, philosophy, and science. That is the one reason why I feel so connected to him when I teach. We talk and discuss so many things. We search for pictures and information on Google.
One of my favorite quotes from Henry Adams is “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
When I teach I do share with them the things I have learned. When I share I do learn the life.