Buddha Purnima today
President, PM greet Buddhists on the occasion, urging them to celebrate the day avoiding gathering
Buddha Purnima, marking the birth and death anniversary of Lord Buddha and his attaining enlightenment, will be observed today.
Greeting the Buddhist community as well as the country people on the occasion, President M Abdul Hamid on Tuesday called upon the Buddhists to celebrate their holy religious festival at their respective homes in view of the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
"Due to the pandemic coronavirus outbreak worldwide, the Buddha Purnima is being celebrated in a different manner this year . . . I urge all of the Buddhist community to celebrate their festival staying at their respective homes," he said in a message.
In a separate message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also greeted all including the Buddhist community members on their biggest religious festival Buddha Purnima.
She said Gautam Buddha had preached the messages of non-violence, friendship and compassion throughout his life for the peace and welfare of mankind.
Establishing an ideal society though peace and harmony was his only objective, the premier added.
Sheikh Hasina said all should follow the ideology and lessons of Buddha to prevent degradation of values and establish peace in the society.
She said the whole world was now in a crisis due to coronavirus outbreak, while the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as a pandemic.
Against the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic, Sheikh Hasina urged the Buddhist community to celebrate their largest religious festival avoiding mass gatherings.