“Having gone on his almsround, the sage should then go to the forest, standing or taking a seat at the foot of a tree. The enlightened one, intent on jhana, should find delight in the forest, should practice jhana at the foot of a tree, attaining his own satisfaction.” The Buddha
(Source: Nalaka Sutta, Sutta Nipata.)
I have seen in other quotes the Buddha talked about meditation in the forest, specifically at the foot of a tree, and near/on the roots of a tree. I don’t understand the reasoning for this frequent recommendation referring to trees. Why? Thank you.
Sitting at the roots of trees to meditate was a tradition. I’d imagine it was so that the meditator wouldn’t cook under the hot Indian sun. Also, at that time most of India was forest except for the parts that had been cleared for towns and farming, so in referring to going to the forest the Buddha was saying “get away from people, to some quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.”