Desk Report:
This time, the Buddhist monastery of Cox’s Bazar celebrated Probarana Purnima by flying lanterns in the sky with the message ‘Free Palestine, Stop Genocide’. From Monday morning, 30 Buddhist monasteries in the district celebrated Shubh Probarana Purnima, one of the religious festivals of the Buddhist community, with religious solemnity and festive atmosphere.
On this occasion, Buddha Puja, Ashtasil Garhan, Maha Sanghadan and Dharma Sabha began in the morning at more than fifty Buddhist monasteries in the district, including the city’s Aggyamedha Bara Kang, the historical Rangkut Banashram Buddhist Monastery in Ramu, Kendriya Seema Maha Vihara, Ramu Maitree Vihara. In the evening, special prayers were offered for the happiness and prosperity of all beings in the world.
After that, colorful lantern festivals will be organized in the monasteries. This time, the organization of Probarana called for an end to the ongoing wars worldwide, including in Palestine.
The Big Lantern Festival is being held at Ramu Central Seema Mahavihara. Local artists have been making colorful lanterns here for a week.
Artist Jaya Barua said that one of the messages in this year’s Probarana is – free Palestine. In addition, special prayers have been offered for the happiness and peace of the world.
Convener of Cox’s Bazar Buddhist Protection Council, Pragyananda Bhikkhu, said, “The violation of humanity and the humanitarian disaster that has occurred in Gaza is something that the world is concerned about; we want the humanitarian disaster there to stop. Today, by hoisting the lantern, we want to give this message of peace to the world and the countrymen – not war, but peace in the world.”
Buddhist monks said that after the three-month rainy season from Ashadh Purnima to Ashwin Purnima, the monks take a new vow on this day through self-criticism and self-purification. In Buddhism, it is known as the ‘festival of restraint and purity’.
Meanwhile, the traditional Kalpajahaz floating festival will be held on the Bankkhali River at Cherangghata in Ramur tomorrow afternoon. Cox’s Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jasim Uddin Chowdhury said that police patrols and surveillance are in place to ensure smooth conduct of the Probarana Purnima festival.
