Buddha Purnima today

Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist community, will be celebrated across the country today.

Buddha Purnima marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. On this day in 563 BC, Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Kopilabostu at the foothill of the Himalayas.

He attained supreme enlightenment at the age of 35 and finally departed into nirvana at the age of 80 in 483 BC.

The day is a public holiday.

On the occasion, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus greeted the members of the Buddhist community.

Buddhist religious leaders and the leaders of the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust yesterday met and exchanged greetings with the chief adviser on the occasion of Buddha Purnima at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain was present on the occasion.

On the eve of Buddha Purnima, Prof Yunus extended warm felicitations to the Buddhist community in Bangladesh and around the world today.

"This year's celebrations have come at a time when the teachings of Lord Buddha to foster peace, harmony, and unity are more relevant than ever before," he said in a message issued by the CA's Press Wing.

"On this auspicious occasion, I wish that our path forward as a humanity be lit with understanding, compassion, and joy," said the chief adviser.