Buddha Purnima Today

Buddha Purnima, the most sacred festival of the Buddhists is being celebrated on Sunday with much enthusiasm and solemn devotion across the country.

History reveals that the emergence of Lord Buddha took place on this day 2,557 years ago. Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born on the full moon day at Lumbini of Nepal in 563 BC, attained supreme enlightenment after six years of rigorous meditation at Bodhgoya as Buddha and passed away on the same day at Kushinagar, India.

To mark the day, country’s Buddhist community chalked out various programmes, including colourful processions and discussions.

On the occasion of the Buddha Purnima, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages and greeted the members of the Buddhist community as well as the countrymen.

The celebrations are usually heralded with lighting of lamps and hoisting of the national and religious flags atop all monasteries and chanting of sacred verses from the Tripitaka.

The Buddhist devotees are expected to offer various gift items, including fruits, flowers and candles, to statues of Lord Buddha throughout the day.

On the occasion, national and regional dailies published different articles while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television (BTV) and private TV channels broadcast special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

The day is a public holiday.