INDIA:The descendant of the sacred tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment in eastern India more than 2,500 years ago, is afflicted by a mystery ailment that causes it to shed its leaves.
Many Buddhists believe the demise of the giant pepul or ficus religiosa "Bodhi tree" in Bihar state augurs ill for mankind and are desperate to ensure its longevity.
Located behind the Mahabodhi shrine, the 110-year- old tree, the sixth generation of the one under which Lord Buddha received the ultimate truth after 49 days of meditation, is sacred to millions of his Buddhist followers, who visit it on pilgrimage from around the world and buy its leaves for up to $10 each.
Over the past several weeks, however, the holy tree has begun dropping an unusually large amount of leaves, triggering fears that it may be dying.
Kashyap, a temple monk, said: "It [ the falling of leaves] began on full moon day last month and has become excessive. Since the time I have been here, it's for the first time that I am encountering such a problem with the faith tree of Buddhism."
Fellow monk Sangam declared that the reason for the falling leaves has not been ascertained adding that the tree might have been adversely affected by the unusually high summer temperatures this year.
The temple authorities are loath to discuss the problem afflicting the tree, which along with the Mahabodi temple has been declared a Unesco world heritage site.
Scientists have persuaded the authorities to dissuade pilgrims from lighting candles under the tree as this coated its leaves with carbon, impeding photosynthesis and hampering growth.
Buddha who was originally Siddartha Gutama, a 5th century BC prince in what is now Nepal, renounced his privileged existence after seeing the suffering of his people and became an ascetic.
At the age of 35 he began meditating in modern day Bihar under a pepul tree, vowing not to rise until he found the ultimate truth, which he did after 49 days. Thereafter he was known as the Buddha or the Awakened One.