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Buddhists across Bangladesh, including in the capital, will celebrate their second-largest religious festival, Prabarana Purnima, tomorrow with due solemnity and traditional enthusiasm.
Also known as Ashwini Purnima, the festival marks the end of the three-month retreat observed by Buddhist monks in monasteries for spiritual development, self-discipline and atonement.
The occasion is followed by the month-long Kathina Chibar Dana ceremony, during which devotees offer yellow robes to Buddhist monks. The monks also deliver sermons praying for the welfare of all living beings and the peace and well-being of humanity.
According to Buddhist tradition, the festival is associated with the story of Gautama Buddha’s hair. Legend has it that Buddha once clipped strands of hair from his head and declared that if he was destined to attain supreme wisdom and enlightenment, the strands would rise rather than fall. The hair is said to have risen, symbolising his spiritual destiny.
One of the main attractions of the festival is the release of fanush, or candle-lit balloons made of coloured paper, into the autumn sky in the evening.
The festival will be observed at monasteries, offices of Buddhist religious organisations and educational institutions through daylong programmes.
The day’s activities will begin at dawn with the hoisting of national and religious flags atop monasteries, followed by the recitation of verses from the sacred Tripitaka.
The programmes will include the conclusion of the monks’ retreat, mass prayers, blood donation, Sangadana, discussions, observance of Panchashila and Asthashila, and Pradip Puja.
In the capital, major religious gatherings will be held at Dharmarajik Bouddha Bihar in Kamalapur, the International Buddhist Monastery in Merul Badda, Kalachandpur Bouddha Bihar, Uttara Bouddha Bihar, Adibashi Sakkyamuni Bouddha Bihar in Mirpur and Ashulia Bodhigyan Maitri Bhabona Kendra.
In Chattogram, devotees will gather at several temples, including Nandankanan Buddhist Temple, Katalganj Nabapandit Bihar, Shakkymuni Mohashashan Bouddha Bihar in Agrabad, Purnachar International Buddhist Monastery in Debpahar and Sarbajanin Bouddha Bihar on Momin Road.
Special prayers will be offered at monasteries across the country for national peace and prosperity and global harmony.
Law enforcement personnel have been deployed in and around temples in the capital and other districts to ensure the peaceful celebration of the festival.
