:. BOPATHA ASAPUWA .:


	The sacred Sri Maha Bodhi Tree The most ancient tree which bears a long continued History is the sacred Jayasiri Bo Tree. The Gautame Samyak Sambuddha attained the four Noble truths by deep wisdom from enliving under a banyan tree. It named Jayasiri Maha Bodhi became blessed and sacred after the deep development offering of the mental powers of Lord Budddha focused on selflessness and aimed at the annunciation of others. This sacred tree was venerated by our Lord Buddha even during his life time. Also the same tree was blessed a second time by his offering an off-shoot to the Jethawanaramaya by Mugalan thera, instructed by Ananda thera. This tree got its name “Ananda Maha Bodhi”. There after during the reign of king Dharmasoka, his Daughter Sangamitha Thera transferred a sapling from the south branch of the Jayasiri Maha Bodhi to Anradhapura during the period of King Devanampiyatissa, named “Sri Maha Bodhi”.

King Devanampiyatissa planted five saplings which sprouted from its branches and from each of the resultant Bo-Trees eight saplings each were taken and planted around the Holycity which is Anuradhapura, and in other places within the island of Sri Lanka. As such the spirit of the Dhamma was distributed by this means as a sacred and holy article for-ever. By creating a respectful and sacred art the Natural Bo-Leaves emanating from the Jayasiri Maha Bodhi, we the members of “Bopatha Asapuwa” bring forward for your great honor and worship.


Introducing the Creation

Natural Sacred Leap	Treated Sacred Leap


Sri Lanka Buddhist Ethical Art
	This Bo leaf is a product of the sapling of the sacred Anuradhapura Bo Tree. It was brought to Sri Lanka from Buddha Gaya, India by Sangamitta Theraniya the daughter of king Dharmasoka, in the 3rd century BC. This Bo-leaf art was created with due care and respect. It has been made holy by the intricate workmanship and devotion granted to it.


	The Archat Seevali Thera – An Honored Receptor Seevali Thera, one of the chief disciples of the eighty in the Buddhist sphere who attained sivpasa ie. Food, clothing, shelter and medical facilities. His picture or statue is seen in every house, trade stall and work place. The invoking and use of the “seevali dehena” seevali yantraya(Talisman), and the seevali piritha (chanting), is very efficacious.

	The Sri Maha Bodhi This is an off-shoot of the thriceblesse Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi of India, blessed by his own development of mental faculties, sacrifice and charity. It was planted in Mahamewna Park at Anuradhapura, during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, in 246 B.C. Being the most ancient and venerated item, exiting, it belongs to the family of banyan tress, emits the largest amount of water vapour to the atmosphere. The skeletal structure is on the underside on the leaf and its shape is peculiar and not found anywhere else. It grows in the tropical zonal areas and dose not thrive in cool climates.

	The Samadhi statue at Anuradhapura It is a statue hewed of rock. The sculptors made these to enhance the qualities of Lord Buddha such as, his eighty physical properties and many more sub-qualities were depicted by them to give a thrust to the mental development and piety of the devotees.

	The Sri Dalada Maligawa – Kandy The repository of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Budha in kandy which is honored the world over, was constructed by king wimaladharmasuriya in 1590 AD, which is set within the panoramic view of the central mountains. In honor of this Tooth Relic a procession is held annually during the month of “Esala”. (Esala falls within the period July-August)

	Sacred Tooth Relic The sacred tooth relic of the left jaw of the Buddha was sent to Anuradhapura by Hemamala (accompanied by her husband), the daughter of King Guhaseeva duringthe reign of King Sri Megawarna, (301-328 AD). The king being its curator the relic was venerated at Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Gampola, Kotte, and finally at Kandy, where it is duly respected and venerated to this day.

	The Buddha in squatting posture The bent left leg is positioned over the right leg. This posture is called “Veerasana”, which is rampant and special in status throughout Sri Lanka.

	The eight – path cycle with the Abaya hand posture Sabbapapassa akaranam Kusalassa upasampada sachitta pariyo dapanam Etam Buddha sasanam Dhamma padaya The complete preaching of Lord Buddha is represented in the above teaching.

	Blessing of the Triple Gem After the advent of mihindu thera the first chetiya was – the thuparamaya at Anuradhapura. Being one of the eighty shrines the relic of the right-jaw of the Buddha is deposited there.

	The Holy face of the Lord Buddha The holy face is a realistic construction of the sculptor depicting the endless kindness of Lord Buddha.

	The Dhamma for emancipation The sculpture following the traditions of sariputa and gandharwa is depicted in this creation, which is a special product of ‘Bopatha Asapuwa’.

	Seevali Maha Thera The workmanship depicting the Seevali Maha Thera is for the Veneration of Buddhist devotees.

	The sign of the Eight-path cycle To make the sign an emblem meaningful which depicts the eight-fold paths of the Dhamma. This creation is a special product of ‘Bopatha Asapuwa’.

	Hakisoma Buddha of Japan This is the first depiction of a replica of Japanese Buddha statue on a sacred bo-leaf by ‘Bopatha Asapuwa’.

	Golden Temple – Japan It is a replica of the shrine of the golden temple of Japan. It is a contribution to the international pilgrimage of devotees, by ‘Bopatha Asapuwa’.

	The person who remains in the Dhamma is protected by it shows a colorful Buddha statue. It depicts the sculpture of the Gandara tradition. Another product of ‘Bopatha Asapuwa’ provides a colorful workmanship.

	‘Budu sasuna Babalewa’ May the rays of the sasana spread It is a chetiya being a prominent construction symbolizing the Buddha sasana. A product of ‘Bopatha Asapuwa’.

	A colorless statue of the Buddha depicting no less quality. This is a creation of ‘Bopatha Asapuwa’ to show that the qualities of the Buddha’s replica does not diminish though the work is colorless.

	Book of chants, thread capsule and relic repository. The following items represent the Sri Lankan traditional chanting of seth pirith. I.e. the ola manuscripts containing the Tri-pitaka, the book of chants, the capsule of thread and the relic with its repository. As such this picture provides an insight to the Dhamma.

	Avalokeshwara bodhisattva statue – Anuradhapura The statue of the bodhisattva is of bronze. The sculptor, by it shows the following qualities of the Buddha. I.e. immense kindness. It is one of the rare statues in the world that show the placement of the left hand on the ground and the right and depicting a sign(Vitharka Mudrawa)

	Gong – shaped cheiya This is a replica of one of the famous chetiya that store the physical relics of Lord Buddha. It is a memorable construction of the sasana.

	Aggo hamasmi lokassa This creation depicts the leadership, semiority and respect, which the Buddha mentioned. He says “This is my last birth to the world”. The Gautama Buddha.

	The construction depicting the Abhaya sign This is for the disbursement of peace to the world. A creation depicting the said stance by “Bopatha Asapuwa”.

	Prosperous Talisman This talisman is a replica of the true formula present on the wall of the sacred tooth relic temple at Kandy. It is a format presenting the effects of the triple gem and begins with the sound ‘Sa’ and ends with the same sound. Keeping it in your presence makes you prosperous.

	The Buddhist Flag This was accepted and approved by the world Buddhist conference (WBC) in 1950 AD. The six colors are constituted as follows: blue, yellow, red, white, magenta and a sixth color. The 6th color is the equal. Parts of the first five colors divided into five strips horizontally. For every Buddhist festival thus flag is used and honored.

BOPATH ASAPUWA