bodhi tree

Buddhist symbol of enlightenment. It is the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, where he preached his first sermon and set the wheel of dharma (religious teachings) in motion. A bodhi tree is often planted outside a Buddhist pagoda. In some areas, offerings are placed under it during worship. During the Theravāda Buddhist festival of Wesak, the bodhi tree is watered in commemoration of the Buddha's enlightenment.