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President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have greeted the Buddhist community members on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
Greeting the Buddhist community as well as the countrymen on the eve of the Buddha Purnima, President M Abdul Hamid called upon the Buddhists to celebrate their holy religious festival at their respective homes in view of the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, reports BSS.
Buddha Purnima, the greatest religious festival related to the birth and attaining enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha, will be celebrated in the country on Wednesday. Lord Buddha was born on this day of full moon in 563 BC, attained enlightenment and passed away on the same day.
“Due to the pandemic coronavirus outbreak worldwide, the Buddha Purnima is being celebrated in a different manner this year . . . I urge all of the Buddhist community to celebrate their festival staying at their respective homes,” the President said in a message on Tuesday.
President Hamid said Gautam Buddha used to seek the welfare of mankind always and he tried his best to make the whole world peaceful and prosperous.
He said Gautam Buddha disseminated the message of equity and friendship throughout his entire life to establish peace and harmony across the globe.
The head of the state said the ideals and philosophy of Buddha can play an important role in removing the degradation of moral values from the unstable and intolerant world as well as establishing peace in society.
He said the civilisation and culture of the Buddhists are profoundly integrated with the soil and the people of this country.
Noting that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, President Hamid hoped that the country’s Buddhist community would play a proper role in the development of Bangladesh upholding the ideals of Buddha.
In a separate message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Gautam Buddha had preached the messages of non-violence, friendship and compassion throughout his life for the peace and welfare of mankind.
Establishing an ideal society though peace and harmony was his only objective, the premier added.
Sheikh Hasina said all should follow the ideology and lessons of Buddha to prevent degradation of values and establish peace in the society.
Mentioning that Bangladesh is a land of communal harmony, she said people of all religions have long been practicing their respective religions here.
The prime minister said the Buddhist leaders have a significant role in maintaining the communal harmony in the country.
She said the whole world is now in a crisis due to coronavirus outbreak, while the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as a pandemic.
Against the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic, Sheikh Hasina urged the Buddhist community to celebrate their largest religious festival avoiding mass gatherings.