If you need the text for Bana (preaching) or Pirith , you need the original version. For a bedtime story, the modern retelling is fine.
King Devanampiya Tissa wades into the water to receive the sapling. The text describes the "Seven Weeks of Miracles" where the newly planted tree produces flowers and fruits instantly. It also explains the placement of the Bodhi-pooja (tree shrine) and the establishment of the guard stones. sinhala bodhi wanshaya pdf
| Feature | Original Version (Purana) | Modern Retelling (Nuthana) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Archaic, formal, Pali-mixed | Simple, conversational Sinhala | | Length | ~150-200 pages | ~40-50 pages | | Audience | Scholars, monks, advanced learners | Children, general laypeople | | Download Rarity | Hard to find; large file size | Easy to find on blogspot/Google Drive | If you need the text for Bana (preaching)
The origins of the Bodhi tree under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The Arrival: The text describes the "Seven Weeks of Miracles"
The translation by Wijesinghe Gunasekara (published by M.D. Gunasena) is the most beginner-friendly. It has a glossary at the back explaining Pali terms like Samsara (cycle of rebirth) and Nirvana .
The journey of Sanghamitta Theri bringing the southern branch of the original tree to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa. The Rituals: