The Buddhists will celebrate their second largest religious festival Prabarana Purnima in the city as elsewhere across the country on Sunday.
The festival is also known as Ashwini Purnima which marks the conclusion of the three-month-long seclusion of the monks inside their monasteries for self-edification and atonement of their defilement.
The Purnima follows the month-long preaching of sermons by the Buddhist monks for the welfare of every being and the whole of humankind through a month-long yellow robe offering ceremony that begins on the day after the Purnima, according to BSS.
Marking the festival and on the occasion of the month-long Kathin Chibar Dan (Yellow Robe Offering Ceremony), President M Abdul Hamid on Saturday greeted the Buddhists.
President Abdul Hamid, in a message, conveyed greetings to the members of the Buddhist community and said Gautom Buddha, throughout his life, preached the eternal message of equality, friendship, compassion, peace and humanity in building a peaceful world.
“Buddha's non-violent words and love of life are still widely admired around the world. His ideal of sacrifice is full of humanity,” the head of the state added.
The essence of Buddhism can play an important role in establishing world peace, Abdul Hamid said.
Terming 'Chibar' as an outfit worn by Buddhist monks, he said, adding that the 'Kathin Chibar Dan' is called the best donation (Dan-Sreshtho).
With the participation of Buddhists, this 'Kathin Chibar Dan' festival builds unity, solidarity and harmony among all, he said.
He said that from thousands of years, Buddhist tradition is blended with the soil and people of Bangladesh.
The President described Bangladesh as a country of communal harmony and urged the people of all communities to play their respective roles to expedite the pace of national development and progress.
Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust Vice Chairman Supta Bhushan Barua said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion has donated Tk 20 million as a special grant.
Besides, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has distributed 500 kilogrammes of rice government enlisted each monastery in the country.
The Purnima will be celebrated in all monasteries, respective offices of religious organisations and educational institutions through daylong programmes.
In the capital, the main religious congregations will be held at Dharmarajik Bouddha Bihar, Kamalapur, International Buddhist Monastery at Merul Badda, Kalachandpur Bouddha Bihar, Uttara Bouddha Bihar, Adibashi Bouddha Temple at Mirpur and Ashulia Bodhigyan Maithree Bhabona Kendra.
In Chittagong, the religious congregations will be held at different temples, including Nandankanan Buddhist Temple, Katalganj Nabapandit Bihar, Shakkymuni Mohasashan Bouddha Bihar at Agrabad, Purnachar International Buddhists Monastery at Debpahar and Sarbajanin Bouddha Bihar at Momin road.
Special prayers will also be held in all monasteries seeking peace and prosperity of the nation as well as global peace.
Members of law enforcement agencies have been deployed in and around all temples in the city and districts for a smooth celebration of the festival.