ZCZC
BSS-47
PURNIMA-CTG
Buddhists celebrate Modhu Purnima in Ctg
CHATTOGRAM, Sept 24, 2018 (BSS) – The Buddhists in Chattogram celebrated
one of their major religious festivals “Modhu Purnima” in the city as
elsewhere in the country today with solemn devotion and traditional
enthusiasm.
The Buddhists in Bangladesh, especially in the region of Chattogram and
three hill districts celebrate the day as Honey Full Moon Festival or Honey-
offering Festival on the day of the full moon in the month of September.
Madhu Purnima, one of the scared festivals is celebrated on the day of the
full moon in Bangla month Bhadra, in commemoration of the service and support
rendered by the animals of the Parilyeyo forest, India to Buddha.
According to legend, a monkey and an elephant named Parileyyaka fed Buddha
during this time, the elephant bringing fruit and the monkey bringing a
honeycomb.
The monkey was so excited when the Buddha accepted his gift that he began
leaping from tree to tree and finally fell to his death. However, he was
immediately reborn in Tavatimsa as a result of his generosity.
The day’s programmes heralded with hoisting of the national and religious
flags atop all monasteries, chanting of the sacred verses from the Tripitaka.
Breaking of fasting by the monks, discussion meetings, offering of honey,
blood donation and illumination in the evening in all monasteries are other
highlights of the programmes.
In the city, main religious congregations were held at Nandankanon
Buddhist Temple, Katalganj Navapandit Vihar, Purnachar International Buddhist
Monastery at Devpahar, Mughaltuli Saikkymuni Shoshan Vihar, Agrabad and
Chandgaon Biswamoitri Vihar.
In Nandankan monastery, the mass prayer was conducted by its chief abbot Dr
Gyanasree Moathera . To mark the day, local dailies brought out some articles
while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television, Chittagong centres aired
special programmes highlighting importance of the festival.
Besides, special prayers seeking continued peace and progress of the
nation as well as global peace were also offered in all monasteries.
BSS/SKB/FI/ 2130 hrs