The frail, remaining branches of the original tree are at left and now supported by metal props. The original tree grew from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment, which was brought to Sri Lanka by the nun, Therī Sanghamittā, daughter of the great Indian Buddhist Emperor Aśoka, whose son, the monk Mahinda (Mihindu) Thera, earlier had preached to the reigning king Tissa (later named Devānampiya Tissa) at Mihintalé near Anuradhapura and convinced him to become a follower of the Buddhist doctrine.
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