India, one of the most ancient civilizations in the world, is also known as the land of Buddha and Gandhi.  Buddhism spread far and wide from India, over the last two millennia, including to South Korea, which is home to over 12 million Buddhists. They regard India as their spiritual home. Every year, tens of thousands of Korean Buddhists travel to India, especially to Bodh Gaya, for pilgrimage.  Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, which is regarded as one of the most sacred sites by the believers. 

2.      As a special gesture of friendship and goodwill towards the people of Korea, Prime Minster of India Dr. Manmohan Singh offered to gift a sapling of the sacred Bodhi Tree to President Park Geun-hye during her state visit to India in January 2014.  She accepted the offer with pleasure. 

3.      The sapling arrived in Korea today.  It was carried from India by representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the Korea Forest Service. The sapling was duly received at the airport by Ambassador of India, Vishnu Prakash, Deputy Director General from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea Mr. JEONG Byeongwho & Director General from the Korean Forest Service Mr. LEE Chang-jae.  

4.      It would be temporarily housed at the Korea National Arboretum. In due course, it would be shifted to its permanent abode at a prominent Buddhist Temple in Korea to enable the believers to pay their respects. The Bodhi Tree would become yet another powerful symbol of India – Korea friendship and close people-to-people ties. 

Seoul

7 March 2014