Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist community, is being celebrated in the country on Saturday (May 18) amid festivity and different programmes.

Like elsewhere in the world, the Buddhist community in Bangladesh, celebrating the day with different programmes, including colorful processions, puja, sanghadan, discussions and cultural functions.

Lord Buddha was born on this day of full moon in 563 BC, attained enlightenment and passed away on the same day.

On 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 fellow citizens, reports BSS.

In his message, President Hamid said Buddha Purnima is a religious festival related to the birth and attaining enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha.

He said, Gautam Buddha always sought the welfare for humankind and he tried his best to make the whole world a peaceful and prosperous one.

The President said civilisation and culture of the Buddhists are profoundly integrated with the soil and the people of this country.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said overcoming all fears, greed and interest, Gautama Buddha had preached the messages of non-violence, friendship and compassion throughout his life for peace and welfare of mankind.

Establishing an ideal society though peace and harmony was his only objective, she added.

Mentioning that Bangladesh is a land of communal harmony, the prime minister hoped that the country’s Buddhist community, inspired by the ideals of Gautama Buddha, would reach themselves at a new height in their knowledge and skills.