Difference between revisions of "Ashoka tree"
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
<poem> | <poem> | ||
[[ashoka]] [[tree]] | [[ashoka]] [[tree]] | ||
| − | [ | + | [[阿輸5樹]]・[[無憂樹]] (Skt; Jpn [[ashuka-ju]] or [[muu-ju]] ) |
| − | Also, [[Asoka | + | 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}} | ||
Revision as of 10:30, 1 October 2013
ashoka tree
阿輸5樹・無憂樹 (Skt; Jpn ashuka-ju or muu-ju )
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.
