bo tree

9.9

A large holy fig tree that Buddhists honour because the Buddha sat under it and became enlightened

noun
/boʊ tri/

Literature

: árbol bodhi

Many visitors come to see the sacred bo tree where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.

Examples

Beyond that, and leaving aside the specific content of the politicians' statements, at least two of the formal events at the opening ceremony—the flying of the Buddhist flag and the planting of the bo-tree—unambiguously defined the occasion as one of Buddhist celebration.

Academic text (1990)
The planting of the bo-tree re-established the sanctity of a place that, as the ancient rock inscription proved, had once been devoted to Buddhist worship.

Academic text (1990)
The monks gathered under the ancient bo tree to meditate and pay their respects.
The large bo tree in the temple courtyard is a symbol of peace and spirituality for the community.

Synonyms

Ficus religiosa

vsbo tree

Specialized

9.9

A large fig tree from India with heart-shaped leaves often seen as sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism

is the familiar sacred name used in religious contexts rather than scientific naming

sacred fig

vsbo tree

Indian

8.7

A large fig tree from India that people in Buddhism and Hinduism consider holy

emphasizes its special importance in Buddhism rather than both religions

pipul

vsbo tree

Indian

9.9

A large fig tree from India and Southeast Asia that is sacred to Buddhists and gives much shade

is identified by religious reverence and not by the absence of prop roots

pipal

vsbo tree

Indian

9.9

A large fig tree from India considered sacred in Buddhism

is used mainly for its sacred identity rather than botanical naming

pipal tree

vsbo tree

Indian

9.3

A large fig tree from India often grown near temples and respected in Buddhism

focuses on religious reverence rather than botanical root structure

peepul

vsbo tree

Indian

9.9

A large fig tree native to India that is sacred to Buddhists and Hindus

highlights special Buddhist reverence rather than equal importance in both religions

bodhi

vsbo tree

Specialized

9.6

A sacred fig tree where the Buddha reached awakening

is the general sacred species not only the single famous tree

Surface Forms

bo tree singular

bo trees plural

Morphology

bo + tree

Although 'tree' is transparent, 'bo' is not a normal English lexical item and does not independently convey 'sacred fig' to a B1 learner; the phrase is a lexicalized cultural/proper name (a loanword referring to the Bodhi tree). Because the meaning depends on specific cultural or lexical knowledge rather than compositional combination of known English words, it is not derivable by learners who only know the constituent forms.

Etymology

Bo tree: The name bo tree comes from the old word 'Bodhi', which means 'awakening' or 'enlightenment'. The Buddha is said to have sat under a sacred fig tree and become enlightened, so people call that kind of tree a bo tree and treat it as holy.