Bangladesh
Buddha Purnima Bangladesh to observe Buddha Purnima today
Dhaka: The Buddhist community of Bangladesh is celebrating Buddha Purnima on Sunday.
Gautama Buddha's appearance, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana, the preacher of the non-violent message 'Let all the creatures of the world be happy' - this day is intertwined with the Buddha's full moon.
Gautam Buddha's happy birth, enlightenment and attainment of Nirvana is the main religious festival of the Buddhist community. It is known as Buddhapurnima to all Buddhists in the world.
According to Buddhism, Mahamati Gautama Buddha appeared on this day two and a half thousand years ago today. As he was born, attained enlightenment and fell in love on the day of Baishakhi Purnima, it (Baishakhi Purnima) was given another name 'Buddha Purnima'.
It is known from Buddhist literature that when Bodhisattva was in heaven in the name of Santosh Kumar after fulfilling all the paramis in his previous life, the gods requested him to be born in the human race to liberate the world and find the path of Nirvana of gods and human beings. At the request of the deities, the Bodhisattva, considering all aspects, took a vow in the mother's womb in a dream on an Asadhi full moon and was born on the next auspicious Baishakhi full moon.
He was born in the open sky in the shade of the willow tree of Lumbini Kanan. He did not have any distinction of caste, class and tribe. He knew man as human and animal as animal, and he realized the pain that was in his being. That is why he said, ‘Sabeb satta bhavantu sukhitatta’ let all the creatures of the world be happy.
At the beginning of the national holiday, the Buddhist community organizes peace processions and day-long lighting of lamps, worship and prayers in Buddhist monasteries and temples. On this occasion, Buddha Puja, lighting of lamps, peace procession, religious discussion meeting, morning ferry, gathering prayer, discussion meeting and Buddha Puja will be held in Buddhist monasteries across the country including the capital. Special prayers will be offered for the overall peace and well-being of the human race.
On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a separate message today extended heartfelt greetings to all including the Buddhist community.
