Buddha Purnima, the most sacred and largest religious festival of the Buddhists, will be celebrated across the country with traditional enthusiasm and due religious fervour today.
It commemorates three important events taken place in the life of Buddha on the same day 鈥� the birth of Siddharta Gautama, his attainment of supreme enlightenment and his entry into Nirvana.
Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has extended greetings to all the Buddhists of the country on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
In a message, he has said that Bangladesh is a country of sectarian
harmony as people of all faiths, regardless of race, religion and caste, have been living together in this country for thousands of years.
This country is a safe haven for all people, regardless of religion and caste, he added.
鈥楾he great Gautam Buddha enlightened mankind by rising above greed and lust. Gautam Buddha preached the message of non-violence to establish peace and welfare among people,鈥� he said
Yunus said that his interim government was working to ensure the development and equal rights of all people regardless of race, religion, caste and group.
Following the ideals of Buddha can play a significant role in building a new Bangladesh free from violence, hatred and conflict, he observed.
Buddhists, along with followers of other religions, have been participating equally in the socio-economic progress of Bangladesh for many years, he mentioned.
He hoped that the Buddhist community of the country would play an effective role in transforming Bangladesh into a non-discriminatory country by cherishing the ideals of Gautam Buddha.
The chief adviser wished the overall success of all the programmes undertaken on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
Chattogram Hill Tracts affairs adviser Supradip Chakma has also urged the members of Buddhist community to be united with the bond of peace and harmony to create a social welfare society.
鈥業 am always sincere to work devotedly for welfare and development of the Buddhist community,鈥� he said while
addressing the devotees marking this year鈥檚 Buddha Purnima at Tabalchhari Ananda Bihar Multipurpose Hall in Rangamati on Saturday.
He also urged all to be devoted in good works saying every individual should involve in good work keeping them away from misdeeds.
Chakma raja Barrister Raja Debashish Ray inaugurated the programme while president of the Rangamati Baishakhi Purnima Udjapan Parishad Bhadanta Shraddhalangkar Mahathero was in the chair.