Rangamati:Buddhists in Bangladesh are celebrating Prabarana Purnima, a major religious festival, with prayers, religious rituals, and colorful festivities. The festival, observed on Sunday, aims to promote peace, harmony, and universal friendship among all living beings.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the festival marks the conclusion of the three-month-long Buddhist Lent, known as Vassa, during which Buddhist monks practice seclusion for self-edification and atonement. As part of the celebration, Buddhists release lighted balloons, known as Phanus Baji, in the evening to symbolize the tress of hair that Buddha threw into the air upon renouncing the world, which Buddhists believe ascended into the sky.
The festival, also referred to as Ashwini Purnima, includes the preaching of sermons by Buddhist monks for the welfare of all beings. In Rangamati, thousands of devotees gathered at the historic Rajban Bihar and other monasteries to offer prayers and partake in rituals, hoping for a society free from evil and injustice.
Various religious activities such as Buddha statue offerings, Sangha Dana, Ashta Pariskara Dana, the offering of a thousand lamps, and Chimitong Puja were held on the Bihar premises. Devotees also observed the Five Precepts and the Eight Precepts, expressing joy in participating in the celebrations.
To ensure a peaceful festival, the local administration and law enforcement implemented security measures, deploying additional police personnel at key monasteries. The day's events will culminate in the afternoon with the release of colorful sky lanterns.
Following Prabarana Purnima, the month-long Kathin Chibar Dan festival, involving the offering of robes to Buddhist monks, will commence at Buddhist monasteries across the Chittagong Hill Tracts starting Monday.