Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhists, was celebrated on Thursday 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 MerulBadda 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)."
He also put emphasis on inspiring everyone to lead an honest and beautiful life, to do good deeds and be worthy citizens of the country.
On the occasion, the President and his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana exchanged greetings with the representatives of Buddhist community.
The Buddhist religious leaders also greeted President Shahabuddin, also a valiant Freedom Fighter, by presenting a bouquet.
State Minister for Religious Affairs MdFaridulHaque Khan, Deputy Sangoraj Venerable DharmopriyaMohathero, President's Office Secretary SampadBarua, Secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry KaziEnamul Hassan, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Chittagong (USTC) Professor DrPravat Chandra Barua, Vice-Chairman of Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust SuptaBhushanBarua, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Bangladesh Awami League Office Secretary Barrister BiplabBarua, Chief News Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha(BSS) Samir KantiBarua and Secretary of the Trust JoydattaBarua, among others, were present.
Over one thousand people, including over eight hundred invited guests, Buddhist community leaders, ambassadors, high commissioners and heads of different international agencies working in Bangladesh attended the reception.
Chanting of sacred verses of the Tripitaka and Buddhists religious
songs were also played through the sound system on the occasion.
A peace procession (Shanti Shovajatra) and a harmony festival (SampritiUthshab) were organized by the Bangladesh BouddhaSangskritikParishad in front of the National Museum here marking the Buddha Purnima.
Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister ObaidulQuader attended the programme as the chief guest.
AL Office Secretary BiplabBarua, Buddhist leaders and Thailand and Chinese embassy representatives were also present, among others, on the occasion with Bangladesh BouddhaSangskritikParishad President Prof DrUttam Kumar Barua in the chair.
Later, a colorful procession, started from Shahbagh, paraded different streets and ended at the central Shaheed Minar.
