Buddha Purnima today

Buddha Purnima, the most sacred festival of the Buddhists is being celebrated with much enthusiasm and solemn devotion across the country on Sunday.

History reveals that the emergence of Lord Buddha took place on this day 2,557 years ago. Prince Siddhartha Goutom was born on the full moon day at Lumbini of Nepal in 563 BC, attained supreme enlightenment after six years rigorous meditation at Bodhgoya as Buddha and passed away on the same day at Kushinagar, India, reports BSS.

To mark the day, country’s Buddhist community chalked out various programmes, including colourful processions and discussions.

On the occasion of the Buddha Purnima, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages and greeted the members of the Buddhist community as well as the countrymen.

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.

The Buddhist devotees are expected to offer various gift items, including fruits, flowers and candles, to statues of Lord Buddha throughout the day.

Marking the day, Bangladesh Buddhist Federation have arranged a daylong programme at the International Buddhist Monastery at Merul Badda in the city while Dharmarajik Buddha Mohabihar at Kamalapur will also celebrate the day through various programmes.

State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan MP, will join the celebration at International Buddhist Monastery at Merul Badda, Dhaka as the chief guest while Secretary of the President’s Office Sampad Barua, Awami League Office Secretary and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Barrister Biplab Barua, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D Haas and Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Professor Sudharshan Seneviratne will join the function as special guests.

Besides, the Purnima is also being celebrated in the Buddhist populated regions of Chattogram, Chattogram hill tract, Cumilla, Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali in a befitting manner.

Prayer meets, sermons on the life of Gautam Buddha, religious discourse, continuous recitation of Buddhist scriptures, group meditation, processions and worships of the statue of Buddha will be highlighted in the day’s long programmes.

The Purnima is being celebrated in the port city including Nandankanan Buddhist temple, Katalganj Nabapandit Vihar, Mugholtuli Shakymuni Shawshan Vihar at Agrabad, Purnachar International Buddhists Monasteries at Devpahar, Sarbajanina Bouddha Vihar at Momin road and Biswamoitry Buddha Vihar at Agrabad.

On the occasion, national and regional dailies have published different articles while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television (BTV) and private TV channels are broadcasting special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

The day is a public holiday.