Today, people all around the nation celebrated Buddha Purnima, the biggest and most revered holy holiday for Buddhists, with great zeal and religious devotion.
In separate statements, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and President Mohammed Shahabuddin welcomed both the Buddhist community and their fellow citizens on this holy day.
On the eve of the celebration, President Mohammed Shahabuddin wrote, “On the occasion of the holy Buddha Purnima, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and great passing away of the Lord Gautama Buddha, I extend my heartfelt greetings and felicitations to the Buddhist community both at home and abroad.”
Throughout his life, he preached the ideals of non-violence, equality, friendship and compassion for the welfare of mankind, with the ultimate aim of establishing an ideal society based on peace and harmony, President’s greeting message reads.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, in the greeting note, emphasized equal rights, security and communal harmony.
“Religion belongs to individuals, but the right to security belongs to everyone,” he said.
According to the premier, the nation is still a “bright example of communal harmony,” where people of all religions have long lived in peace and respect for one another.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television (BTV), and private TV channels aired special programs emphasizing the significance of the day, and national and regional publications carried special stories commemorating the occasion.
At daybreak, sacred lines from the Tripitaka were chanted, and national and religious flags were raised atop all of the nation’s monasteries.
Paying tribute, devotees offered various items to statues of Lord Buddha since the morning of the day.
Key celebration events of the day include discussions, meditation, blood donation, offerings of pindadan to monks, feeding the destitute and releasing candled-balloons in the sky.
The Bangladesh Buddhist Federation (BBF) and Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha held talks and peace processions on the day.
However, because of the region’s relatively strong Buddhist population, Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarban celebrate the day in distinct ways.
Buddhist monasteries in Khagrachhari observed Buddha Purnima with all-day devotional ceremonies.
Praying for peace and prosperity, devotees took part in Sangha dana, Buddha puja, and other rituals. Many people participated in a vibrant peace procession that marched through the town and ended at the Janabal Buddhist Monastery.
In Rangamati, the festival was celebrated with equal enthusiasm, featuring large processions from Maitri Vihara and Zilla Parishad premises.
Buddhist-devotees engaged in rituals like Panchashil, Ashtashil, and charitable activities, marking the significance of Buddha Purnima, which commemorates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing.
Besides, Buddha Purnima was also celebrated in Buddhist-populated regions of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Cumilla, Barguna, Rangpur and Sylhet accordingly.
The Buddha Purnima, designated as International Vesak Day in 2000 by the United Nations, commemorates three important events that took place in the life of Buddha on the same day — the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, his attainment of supreme enlightenment and his entry into Nirvana, the sublime cessation of all longing. The day is a public holiday.
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