Buddhists celebrate Pravarana Purnima

The Buddhist community of Bangladesh is celebrating their Holy Pravarana Purnima (fullmoon) today (Wednesday).

The people belonging to Buddhism commemorate their second largest religious festival through holding various ceremonies. It is also known as 'Ashwini Purnima'.

On this auspicious full moon day, the great man Tathagata Gautama Buddha descended to the Sankasya city of India after giving Abhidharma to his mother goddess in the heavens. He directed the monks to spread their religion in all directions for the happiness, peace and welfare of mankind. On the same day, his three-month living in the rainy season concluded.

This pravarana date comes at the end of the quarterly monsoon rituals with the revered monks' association. Pravarana is a sacramental of self-purification and rejection of evil and acceptance of truth and beauty. From the day after Pravarana Purnima, for a month, every Buddhist monastery in the country will have Holy Kathin Chibar Danotsab.

On the occasion of Prabarana Purnima, various religious programmes are taking place across the Buddhist temple across the country. On the occasion of the day, the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation has organised a day-long programme at Merul Badda International Buddhist Monastery in the capital and the Buddhist Krishi Prachar Sangha in the capital's Sabujbagh Dharmarajik Buddhist Maha Vihara.

The programmes include hoisting of national and religious flags, breaking the fast of the Bhikkhu Sangha, Prabhat-feri, recitation of Mangal-sutra, Buddha Puja, acceptance of Panchasila and Astanga Upasathasila, Mahasanghadan, Pindana to Bhikku Sangha, hospitality Buddhism, lighting, flying lanterns, etc.