Buddha Purnima Being Celebrated

Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist community, is being celebrated throughout the country today (Wednesday).

Buddha Purnima marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. Buddha was born this day in 563 BC as Siddhartha Gautama in Kopilabostu on the foothill of the Himalayas.

He attained supreme enlightenment at the age of 35 and finally left for 'nirvana' at the age of 80 in 483 BC.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued different messages to the Buddhist community on the occasion.

In view of the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Hamid called on the Buddhists to observe their holy religious festival in their respective homes.

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, Buddha Purnima is being observed in a special way this year. "I urge all of the Buddhist community to enjoy their festival in their house," he said in a message.

In her message, the Prime Minister said the Buddhist leaders have a significant role in maintaining the communal harmony in the country.

She said the whole world is now in a crisis due to coronavirus outbreak, while the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as a pandemic.

Against the backdrop of the pandemic, Sheikh Hasina urged the Buddhist community to celebrate their largest religious festival avoiding mass gatherings.

Source: UNB