Buddhists celebrate biggest festival
Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist community, is being celebrated across the country with traditional enthusiasm and solemn devotion on Thursday.
As per the belief of the Buddhists, the emergence of Lord Buddha took place on this day 2,556 years ago.
The community has chalked out various programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner. The day is a public holiday.
The day’s programmes started with hoisting of the national and religious flags atop all monasteries at dawn and chanting of sacred verses from the Tripitaka.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in separate messages, greeted the Buddhists as well as the countrymen on the eve of the day.
In his message, the president said Gautam Buddha, the proponent of Buddhism, is the symbol of peace and humanity.
His (Buddha’s) efforts for creation of friendship among the people and love for creatures inspire all in building an ideal and knowledge-based society, Hamid added.
Hasina, in her message, said Gautam Buddha used to foster equality, friendship, sacrifice, mercy and non-violence throughout his life. He preached the message of peace.
She called upon all to work together for nation building being inspired by the message of peace preached by Gautam Buddha.
Buddhist Federation has also arranged a daylong programme at International Buddhist Temple at Merul Badda in the capital.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels are broadcasting special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
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