On the occasion of Prabarana Purnima, a delegation of Buddhist religious leaders exchanged greetings with the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The meeting was held on Sunday (October 5) at the state guesthouse Jamuna.
Highlighting the spiritual significance of Prabarana Purnima, the Buddhist leaders extended their greetings and congratulations to the Chief Adviser and also invited him to visit Buddhist monasteries. They expressed special gratitude to the Chief Adviser for allocating land in Uttara, Dhaka, for Buddhist funeral rites. They said, previously, Buddhist families in Dhaka had to travel long distances, especially to Chattogram, for funerals, but this allocation marks a historic step.
During the meeting, the leaders also briefed the Chief Adviser on preparations for this year’s Kathin Chibor Daan festival. In addition, they raised several demands, including government support for pilgrimage arrangements, and the establishment of a research and knowledge center in the name of the great Buddhist scholar and philosopher Atish Dipankar.
Among those present were the Principal of Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery, Ven. Buddhapriya Mahathera; Secretary General of Bangladesh Buddhist Federation, Ven. Sunandapriya; Ven. Kalyan Jyoti of Parbatya Bhikkhu Sangha; Vice Chairman of Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust, Bhavesh Chakma; and several senior members of the Buddhist community.
Also present were the Adviser on Religious Affairs, Dr. A. F. M. Khalid Hossain, and the Adviser on Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Supradeep Chakma.