Buddha Purnima celebrated

BSS :
Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhists, was celebrated today across the country with due religious fervor and zeal.

Like elsewhere in the world, the Buddhists in Bangladesh, chalked out different programmes, including colorful processions, puja, sanghadan, discussions and cultural functions, to mark the day.

Lord Buddha was born on this day of full moon in 563 BC, attained enlightenment and passed away on the same day.

Marking the day, Buddhist devotees offered various gift items, including fruits, flowers and candles, to statues of Lord Buddha throughout the day.

On the occasion of the Buddha Purnima, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages and greeted the members of the Buddhists as well as the countrymen.

Leaders of different political and socio-cultural organisations also greeted the Buddhists on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.

The celebrations usually herald with lighting of lamps and hoisting of the national and religious flags atop all monasteries and chanting of sacred verses from the Tripitaka.

Marking the day, Bangladesh Buddhist Federation arranged daylong programmes at the International Buddhist Monastery at Merul Badda in the city.

On the occasion, national and regional dailies published different articles while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television (BTV) and private TV channels broadcast special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. The day was a public holiday.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin hosted a reception for the Buddhists community members at Credential Hall of Bangabhaban here today on the occasion of the Buddha Purnima.

The leaders of the Buddhist community must reflect the teachings of Mahamati Buddha in their own lives and encourage others to do so as well, he hoped Congratulating the Buddhists in Bangladesh and elsewhere across the world, the President said, “Bangladesh soil and people are mingled with ancient Buddhist monasteries, including many 1000-year-old Buddha Bihars (Buddhist temples).”