Staff Reporter:
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday extended warm felicitations to the Buddhist community in Bangladesh and around the world on the eve of this year’s Buddha Purnima.
“This year’s celebrations have come at a time when the teachings of Lord Buddha to foster peace, harmony and unity are more relevant than ever before,” he said.
On this auspicious occasion, Prof Yunus said, “I wish that our path forward as a humanity be lit with understanding, compassion and joy.”
Meanwhile, Buddhist religious leaders and the leaders of the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust met the chief adviser on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
During the meeting, they exchanged greetings with Prof Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna in the capital.
Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain was present on the occasion.
Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist community, will be celebrated across the country on Sunday.
Buddha Purnima marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha.
On this day in 563 BC, Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Kopilabostu at the foothill of the Himalayas.
He attained supreme enlightenment at the age of 35 and finally departed into ‘nirvana’ at the age of 80 in 483 BC.
The day is a public holiday
