Dhaka: The Buddhists will celebrate their second largest religious festival, Prabarana Purnima, in the capital and across the country tomorrow with due solemnity and traditional enthusiasm. The festival, also known as Ashwini Purnima, marks the conclusion of the three-month-long seclusion of monks inside their monasteries for self-edification and atonement of their defilement.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Purnima follows a month-long preaching of sermons by Buddhist monks for the welfare of all beings and humankind, through a yellow robes offering ceremony that begins the day after the Purnima. Legend has it that Buddha once clipped strands of hair from his head, declaring that if he was destined to attain supreme wisdom and enlightenment, the hairs would rise instead of falling. This event is commemorated by releasing candle-lit air balloons made of colored paper into the sky, which is the festival’s chief attraction.
The Purnima will be celebrated in all monasteries, religious organization offices, and educational institutions through daylong programs. These will commence with the hoisting of national and religious flags at dawn and the chanting of verses from the sacred Tripitaka. Key activities include breaking of monks’ fasting, mass prayers, blood donation, Sangadana, discussions, panchashila, asthashila, and pradip puja.
In Dhaka, 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 Maitri Bhabona Kendra. In Chittagong, gatherings will occur at several 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 be offered in all monasteries, seeking peace and prosperity for the nation and global peace. Members of law enforcement agencies have been deployed around all temples in the city and districts to ensure the festival’s smooth celebration.