なぜ燃やされ破壊されたのか？1000年のバニヤンの巨樹
なぜ燃やされ破壊されたのか？
1000年のバニヤンの巨樹
One day around in 2003, I just could not believe what I had heard, when I first learned that the huge Banyan tree got burnt and perished. I thought it was a mistake and such a thing would never ever happen.
I somehow thought that particularly this gigantic Banyan tree which was also called as Buddha tree will live forever there. During the time when I lived in Sector E/7 of Islamabad city since 1997 for three and half years, this Big Banyan tree in the woods nearby had become the very support of our souls and spirit.
This sense of deep reverence towards the gigantic Banyan tree and the nature behind comes out of respect for nature which we share in common not only among Japanese, Asians but people all over the world.
Every time I see this huge Banyan tree, I felt as if I was meeting a very close friend of mine and actually was conversing with the tree. It is not only for me but for those countless number of small animals such as lizards and squirrels, the tree was a peaceful place to stay.
After hearing the shocking news about the fate of this tree, I rushed to it. And what was in front me I found was the painful remains of the tree burnt black and completely destroyed. For a few minutes, I could not find any word to utt er.
The black remains of the Banyan tree looked like as if it was raising both the hands towards the sky, to cry out the voice of last moment in pain. Obviously the tree did not want to die. And it must have suffered in agony during it got burnt.
It reminded me of the similar situation when an atomic bomb was dropped at my native place, Hiroshima, and more than two hundreds thousands of people killed and injured. I was further shocked to hear from my friend that the tree was not burnt by the natural cause such as thunder but was burnt by people on purpose.
The huge flame encompassed the tree, I was told. It made me so sad and moreover was terrified. A few months before, a lot of people got killed in villages in Afghanistan by American bombing. And so, did the flame of revenge get transferred to this Banyan tree, then? Nature is never responsible for the human mistakes and sins. Nature is what we have to treasure and maintain. It had been alive for more than 1000 years and its trunk was as big as twelve adults stretching their arms together to hold the trunk.
When the whole world is trying their best to sustain the nature and natural heritage, why could not we protect this Banyan tree, one of the greatest natural heritages of Pakistan? Somebody saw the flame when a fire was put on the Banyan tree. And he said the tree was writhed and turned in a huge flame in the dark night. As I imagine that moment of the tree in flame, I had but to sink deep in sadness. I suppose this inscrutable grief was shared by all the people who loved this tree beyond any differencies of the cultures and values.
As I was walking besides the painful remains of the burnt tree, there I found a small young bud coming up. It also resembled the people of Hiroshima standing up again, after all the loss and misery of atomic bomb damage. Now I offer my prayers to the tree, and my deep gratitude for the support the tree had provided for our souls and spirit.
Oh, the great Banyan tree!
You have, for more than 1000 years of time, stretched the branches and roots wide and provided us with such wonderful natue. You have watched through our history and environment sometimes with a critical and supportive eyes on us human beings.
Thank you from bottom of our hearts! But now, you had to fall and be damaged completely, because of our extremely foolish civilization of human beings. We deeply apologize for not being able to protect you.
Oh, our Banyan Tree, May you rest peacefully and eternally. I offer you my deep gratitude and sorrow to you. And the young bud of Banyan! Please try to grow big. Please remind us and made us realize that human beings could live together with the spirit of peace, tolerance, and the mutual understanding.
And make us realize not to destroy the natue and the world. Young bud of Banyan!
Grow big for the future of children in Pakistan and the world
who will grow big along
with young bud growth.
11 May 200
by Tajima
