Difference between revisions of "Ashoka tree"
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| − | ashoka tree | + | [[ashoka]] [[tree]] |
| − | [ | + | [[阿輸5樹]]・[[無憂樹]] (Skt; Jpn [[ashuka-ju]] or [[muu-ju]] ) [[Saraca asoca]] (the [[ashoka tree]]; lit., "[[sorrow-less]]") is a plant belonging to the Caesalpinioideae subfamily of the legume family.[1] It is an important [[tree]] in the {{Wiki|cultural}} [[traditions]] of the [[Indian]] subcontinent and adjacent areas. The [[ashoka tree]] is considered [[sacred]] throughout the [[Indian]] subcontinent, especially in [[India]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. This [[tree]] has many folklorical, [[religious]] and {{Wiki|literary}} associations in the region. Highly valued as well for its handsome [[appearance]] and the {{Wiki|color}} and abundance of its [[flowers]], the [[ashoka tree]] is often found in {{Wiki|royal}} palace compounds and [[gardens]] as well as close to [[temples]] throughout [[India]]. |
| − | Also, [[Asoka]] | + | The [[ashoka tree]] is closely associated with the [[yakshi]] [[mythological]] [[beings]]. One of the recurring [[elements]] in [[Indian]] [[art]], often found at gates of [[Buddhist]] and {{Wiki|Hindu temples}}, is the {{Wiki|sculpture}} of a [[yakshini]] with her foot on the trunk and her hands holding the branch of a flowering [[ashoka tree]]. As an artistic [[element]], often the [[tree]] and the [[yakshi]] are [[subject]] to heavy stylization. Some authors hold that the young girl at the foot of this [[tree]] is based on an {{Wiki|ancient}} [[tree]] [[deity]] related to {{Wiki|fertility}}. |
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| + | [[Yakshis]] under the [[ashoka tree]] were also important in early [[Buddhist]] monuments as a decorative [[element]] and are found in many {{Wiki|ancient}} [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|archaeological}} sites. With the passing of the centuries the [[yakshi]] under the [[ashoka tree]] became a standard decorative [[element]] of [[Hindu]] [[Indian]] {{Wiki|sculpture}} and was integrated into [[Indian]] [[temple]] architecture as [[salabhanjika]], because there is often a {{Wiki|confusion}} between the [[ashoka tree]] and the [[sal tree]] (Shorea robusta) in the {{Wiki|ancient}} {{Wiki|literature}} of the [[Indian]] subcontinent. | ||
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| + | This [[tree]] is also regarded with veneration in [[Jainism]]. In the [[Jain]] [[tradition]] [[Mahavira]] is said to have renounced the [[world]] under this kind of [[tree]] in [[Vaishali]]. | ||
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| + | In [[Hinduism]] the [[ashoka]] is considered a [[sacred]] [[tree]]. Not counting a multitude of local [[traditions]] connected to it, the [[ashoka tree]] is worshipped in [[Chaitra]], the first month of the [[Hindu]] [[calendar]]. It is also associated with [[Kamadeva]], the [[Hindu]] [[god]] of [[love]], who included an [[ashoka]] blossom among the five [[flowers]] in his quiver. Hence, the [[ashoka tree]] is often mentioned in classical [[Indian]] [[religious]] and amorous [[poetry]], having at least 16 different names in [[Sanskrit]] referring to the [[tree]] or its [[flowers]]. | ||
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| + | In [[Mahākāvya]], or [[Indian]] {{Wiki|epic}} [[poetry]], the [[ashoka tree]] is mentioned in the [[Ramayana]] in reference to the [[Ashoka Vatika]] ([[garden of ashoka trees]]) where [[Hanuman]] first meets [[Sita]]. | ||
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| + | Also, [[Asoka tree]] or [[sorrowless tree]]. A tall leguminous [[tree]] that produces [[beautiful]] orange- or scarlet-colored blossoms. It is found in [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]], and other tropical countries, and used as timber. The [[Sanskrit]] [[word]] [[ashoka]] is translated in {{Wiki|Chinese}} as "free from {{Wiki|distress}}," and thus the [[ashoka tree]] is often referred to as the sorrowless [[tree]]. [[Tradition]] has it that, when [[Maya]], [[Shakyamuni's]] mother, reached for a branch of this [[tree]] to pick its blossoms in the grove at [[Lumbini]], she gave [[birth]] to her son. For this [[reason]], in [[Buddhism]] the [[ashoka tree]] is considered [[sacred]], along with the [[Bodhi tree]] under which [[Shakyamuni]] [[attained]] [[Enlightenment]], and the [[sal tree]] representing his entrance into [[Nirvana]]. [[Shakyamuni]] [[died]] in a grove of [[sal trees]]. | ||
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.sgilibrary.org/search_dict.php www.sgilibrary.org] | [http://www.sgilibrary.org/search_dict.php www.sgilibrary.org] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
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| + | [[Category:India]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Maya (Buddhas mother)]] | ||
Latest revision as of 03:33, 2 April 2014
ashoka tree
阿輸5樹・無憂樹 (Skt; Jpn ashuka-ju or muu-ju ) Saraca asoca (the ashoka tree; lit., "sorrow-less") is a plant belonging to the Caesalpinioideae subfamily of the legume family.[1] It is an important tree in the cultural traditions of the Indian subcontinent and adjacent areas. The ashoka tree is considered sacred throughout the Indian subcontinent, especially in India and Sri Lanka. This tree has many folklorical, religious and literary associations in the region. Highly valued as well for its handsome appearance and the color and abundance of its flowers, the ashoka tree is often found in royal palace compounds and gardens as well as close to temples throughout India.
The ashoka tree is closely associated with the yakshi mythological beings. One of the recurring elements in Indian art, often found at gates of Buddhist and Hindu temples, is the sculpture of a yakshini with her foot on the trunk and her hands holding the branch of a flowering ashoka tree. As an artistic element, often the tree and the yakshi are subject to heavy stylization. Some authors hold that the young girl at the foot of this tree is based on an ancient tree deity related to fertility.
Yakshis under the ashoka tree were also important in early Buddhist monuments as a decorative element and are found in many ancient Buddhist archaeological sites. With the passing of the centuries the yakshi under the ashoka tree became a standard decorative element of Hindu Indian sculpture and was integrated into Indian temple architecture as salabhanjika, because there is often a confusion between the ashoka tree and the sal tree (Shorea robusta) in the ancient literature of the Indian subcontinent.
This tree is also regarded with veneration in Jainism. In the Jain tradition Mahavira is said to have renounced the world under this kind of tree in Vaishali.
In Hinduism the ashoka is considered a sacred tree. Not counting a multitude of local traditions connected to it, the ashoka tree is worshipped in Chaitra, the first month of the Hindu calendar. It is also associated with Kamadeva, the Hindu god of love, who included an ashoka blossom among the five flowers in his quiver. Hence, the ashoka tree is often mentioned in classical Indian religious and amorous poetry, having at least 16 different names in Sanskrit referring to the tree or its flowers.
In Mahākāvya, or Indian epic poetry, the ashoka tree is mentioned in the Ramayana in reference to the Ashoka Vatika (garden of ashoka trees) where Hanuman first meets Sita.
Also, Asoka tree or sorrowless tree. A tall leguminous tree that produces beautiful orange- or scarlet-colored blossoms. It is found in India, Sri Lanka, and other tropical countries, and used as timber. The Sanskrit word ashoka is translated in Chinese as "free from distress," and thus the ashoka tree is often referred to as the sorrowless tree. Tradition has it that, when Maya, Shakyamuni's mother, reached for a branch of this tree to pick its blossoms in the grove at Lumbini, she gave birth to her son. For this reason, in Buddhism the ashoka tree is considered sacred, along with the Bodhi tree under which Shakyamuni attained Enlightenment, and the sal tree representing his entrance into Nirvana. Shakyamuni died in a grove of sal trees.
