Buddha Purnima celebrated

Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhists, was celebrated today (May 4) across the country with due religious fervour and zeal.

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

Lord Buddha was born on this day of the 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 Buddhist community 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 begin with the lighting of lamps and the hoisting of the national and religious flags atop all monasteries and the 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 Dhaka 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 members of the Buddhist community at Credential Hall of Bangabhaban in Dhaka today on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.

He hoped that the leaders of the Buddhist community would reflect the teachings of Mahamati Buddha in their own lives and encourage others to do so as well.
 
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)."
 
He also put emphasis on inspiring everyone to lead an honest and beautiful life, to do good deeds, and to be worthy citizens of the country.
 
On the occasion, the President and his wife, Dr Rebecca Sultana, exchanged greetings with the representatives of the Buddhist community.

The Buddhist religious leaders also greeted President Shahabuddin, also a valiant freedom fighter, by presenting a bouquet.
 
State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan, Deputy Sangoraj Venerable Dharmopriya Mohathero, President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry Kazi Enamul Hassan, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Chittagong (USTC) Professor Dr Pravat Chandra Barua, Vice-Chairman of Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust Supta Bhushan Barua, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Bangladesh Awami League Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Chief News Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Samir Kanti Barua and Secretary of the Trust Joydatta Barua, among others, were present.

Over 1,000 people, including over 800 invited guests, Buddhist community leaders, ambassadors, high commissioners and heads of different international agencies working in Bangladesh, attended the reception.
 
Sacred verses of the Tripitaka were chanted, and Buddhist religious songs were played through the sound system on this occasion.

A peace procession (Shanti Shova Jatra) and a harmony festival (Sampriti Uthshab) were organised by the Bangladesh Bouddha Sangskritik Parishad in front of the National Museum in Dhaka, marking the Buddha Purnima.

Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader attended the programme as the chief guest.

AL Office Secretary Biplab Barua, Buddhist leaders, and Thailand and Chinese embassy representatives were also present, among others, on the occasion, with Bangladesh Bouddha Sangskritik Parishad President Prof Dr Uttam Kumar Barua in the chair.

Later, a colourful procession, starting from Shahbagh, paraded through different streets and ended at the central Shaheed Minar.