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PRESIDENT-PM-PURNIMA
President, PM greet people on Buddha Purnima
Dhaka, May 17, 2019 (BSS) – President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina today extended greetings to the members of the Buddhist community on
their biggest religious festival – Buddha Purnima – celebrating the birth
anniversary of Gautam Buddha.
In separate messages, they wished peace, happiness and prosperity for all
and success of the programmes marking the occasion.
In his message, President Hamid said Buddha Purnima is a holy religious
festival related to the birth and attaining enlightenment and death of
Gautama Buddha.
He said Gautam Buddha always sought the welfare for mankind and he tried
his best to make the whole world a peaceful and prosperous one.
The President said Buddha disseminated the message of equity and friendship
during his entire life to establish peace and harmony in the world.
He said the ideals and philosophy of Buddha can play an important role in
establishing peace in society, removing unrest and intolerance from the world
and saving people from moral degradation.
He said the civilisation and culture of the Buddhists are profoundly
integrated with the soil and the people of this country.
Noting that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, Abdul Hamid hoped
that the country’s Buddhist community would play an important role in the
development of Bangladesh upholding the ideals of Buddha.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said overcoming all fears,
greed and interest, Gautam Buddha had preached the messages of non-violence,
friendship and compassion thought out 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 said people of all religions have been practicing their respective
religions here without facing any obstruction.
She hoped that the country’s Buddhist community, inspired by the ideals of
Gautama Buddha, will reach themselves at new height in their knowledge and
skills.
“With the united efforts from all, we would be able to build a non-
communal, hunger-free and prosperous Sonar Bangla as dreamt by the greatest
Bangalee of all time and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman,” Hasina said.
Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist community,
will be celebrated in the country tomorrow amid festivity and different
programmes.
Like elsewhere in the world, the Buddhist community in Bangladesh, has
chalked out different programmes, including colorful processions, puja,
sanghadan, discussions and cultural functions, to mark the day in a befitting
manner.
Lord Buddha was born on this day of full moon in 563 BC, attained
enlightenment and passed away on the same day.
BSS/PR/MRI/RY/1833 hrs