THE BODHI TREE - FIELD OF ENLIGHTENMENT

Participative Art Installation presented by Buddha's Light International Association of Victoria's Young Adult Division in conjunction with Nick Rennie, Happy Finish Designs

The Bodhi Tree, Ficus religiosa, is a sacred tree to the Buddhists.

The Buddha sat under its branches in meditation and achieved enlightenment. It is the oldest tree depicted in Indian art and literature and is said to be the mythical 'World Tree' or the 'Tree of Life'.

The tree itself has become an international symbol of the Buddha’s presence and an object of worship.

The Bodhi tree plays a very important role for Buddhists of all traditions, being a reminder and an inspiration, a symbol of peace, of Buddha’s enlightenment and of the ultimate potential that lies within us all.

The Bodhi Tree – Field of Enlightenment is a special participative project/installation which encompasses the attributes of the Bodhi tree and depicts the spread of the Dharma throughout the world.

Each leaf is designed to allow participants to write a special message/wish – their own hopes of enlightenment. The leaf is then attached to a special weighted wire base and placed in the centre of St Paul’s Court. As more people contribute their special messages, the field of leaves grows.

At the end of the project, the leaves will be collated and taken to the Fo Guang Shan Melbourne main temple for a blessing ceremony by the Venerables of Fo Guang Shan.

The Bodhi Tree - Field of Enlightenment

The Bodhi Tree – Field of Enlightenment has be realised in conjunction with Australian industrial designer, Nick Rennie of Happy Finish Designs.