Bangladesh

Buddha Purnima celebrated with peace processions, worship, prayers Buddha Purnima
Photo: Collected

Buddha Purnima celebrated with peace processions, worship, prayers

Bangladesh Live News | @banglalivenews | 05 May 2023, 06:31 pm

Dhaka, May 5: The Buddhist community celebrated their main religious festival Buddha Purnima on Thursday with peace processions, lighting of lamps at Buddhist monasteries and viharas, pujas, prayers, discussions and processions.

Buddha Purnima is celebrated by Buddhist devotees to commemorate the appearance, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha, the preacher of the non-violent message of 'May all beings in the world be happy'.

At the beginning of this national holiday, the Buddhist community organizes peace processions and day-long lamp lighting, worship and prayers in Buddhist monasteries and temples.

On this occasion, Buddha Puja, lamp lighting, peace procession, religious discussion meeting, Prabhat Feri, congregational prayer, discussion meeting and Buddha Puja were held in Buddhist Viharas across the country including the capital. Special prayers are also held for all-round peace and well-being of mankind. Bangladesh Buddhist Federation conducts various programs throughout the day at the International Buddhist Monastery at Merul Badda in the capital. The program of the day started with hoisting of national and religious flags in the morning.

Baisakhi Purnima is the main religious festival of the Buddhist community, which celebrates Gautama Buddha's auspicious birth, enlightenment and nirvana. It is known as Buddhapurnima to all Buddhists of the world. According to Buddhism, Mahamati Gautama Buddha appeared on this day two and a half thousand years ago. As his birth, Bodhilav and Mahaprayana took place on the day of Vaishakhi Purnima, it (Baishakhi Purnima) is given another name as 'Buddha Purnima'.

Meanwhile, President Md. Shahabuddin exchanged greetings with Buddhist leaders on the occasion of 'Happy Buddha Purnima 2023' at Banga Bhavan's Credential Hall. His wife Dr. Rebeka Sultana was present at this time.

On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, the Bangladesh Buddhist Cultural Council organized a peace procession and harmony festival in front of the National Museum on Thursday morning. General Secretary of Awami League and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader spoke as the chief guest.