[HonestSean]

True enough!

The original actually died as early as 3rd cent bc - poisoned by one of Asoka's own queens, out of spite! The present tree was planted by the British head of the Archaeological Survey of India - in the late 19th cent - and is a sapling of the Sri Lankan tree that was sent to sri lanka by asoka himself.

But it's not really a question of pedigree - rather, it's the place per se that seems to be so vibrationally loaded. The tree just naturally partakes of that vibration.

Past Buddhas are said to have gotten enlightenment in the same spot. And even during Buddha's life a second Bodhi tree was planted from a fruit of the original at the Jetavana monastery in Shravasti. Buddha was requested to meditate under it as he had on the night of his enlightenment to imbue it with the same power as the original. But he replied that no other place on earth could support him meditating to that extent.

So, good point - it is the place, not the tree, but that still in no way diminishes the power of the spot (or the tree!) - which is so patently obvious I think