A delegation of Buddhist religious leaders today exchanged greetings with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the occasion of Probarona Purnima, one of the major religious festivals of the Buddhist community.
The meeting took place at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital, where the delegation highlighted the spiritual significance of Probarona Purnima and invited Professor Yunus to visit their Vihara (monastery).
During the discussion, the Buddhist leaders expressed deep gratitude to the Chief Adviser for allocating land in Uttara for the cremation of Buddhists in Dhaka — a longstanding demand of the community.
They remarked, “After informing the interim government, the cremation land was allocated within 10 days — a unique step in history. Earlier, families had to travel to Chittagong for funeral rites, but now there is a place for us in the capital even after death.”
The delegation also briefed Professor Yunus on preparations for this year’s Kathin Chibor Dan, another important Buddhist festival, and conveyed thanks to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs for their continued support.
In addition, they placed several demands, including government arrangements for pilgrimages and the establishment of a government-funded knowledge center named after renowned Buddhist scholar and philosopher Atish Dipankar.
The delegation included Principal of Dharmarajika Buddhist Mahavihar Buddhapriya Mahathera, Bangladesh Buddhist Federation General Secretary Bhikkhu Sunandapriya, Bhikkhu Kalyan Jyoti of the Hill Tracts Bhikkhu Sangha, Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust Vice Chairman Bhabesh Chakma, Bangladesh Buddhist Association (Dhaka region) General Secretary Swapan Barua Chowdhury, and several trustees including Professor Dr Sukomal Barua, Mong Hla Ching, Sushil Chandra Barua, Professor Bobby Barua, Rubel Barua, and Rajib Kanti Barua.
Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma were also present at the meeting.
MN/
