POBNEWS24, Dhaka July 11, 2025 : The Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha in association with the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), celebrated Ashadhi Purnima on Thursday, 10 July 2025, at the Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery premises in Dhaka.
Sharing the blessings on the occasion, Most Venerable Buddhapriya Mahathero, President of Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha said that the sacred significance of Ashadhi Purnima, marking the day when Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath, thus initiating the Dhammachakkapavattana, or the Turning of the Wheel of Dharma. He noted that this day also marks the beginning of Varsha Vassa, the traditional monastic retreat during the rainy season. According to press release.
In his address, High Commissioner Shri Pranay Verma underlined the shared Buddhist heritage of India and Bangladesh, with India being the land of the Buddha’s enlightenment, first sermon, and Mahaparinirvana, and Bangladesh being home to Buddhist leaders like Lord Atisha. He reaffirmed that India remains deeply committed to promoting the teachings of Lord Buddha and supporting Buddhist heritage through collaborative efforts in conserving Buddhist artefacts, supporting monastic education, and fostering cultural understanding. Through its flagship initiatives of the Buddhist Circuit, the Indian government facilitates pilgrims to visit sacred Buddhist sites in India — from Lumbini to Bodh Gaya, from Sarnath to Kushinagar — retracing the footsteps of the Lord Buddha.
Also present at the occasion were Mr. Ranjit Kumar Barua and Venerable Swarupananda Bhikku, Vice-Presidents of the Sangha. The program was attended by youth delegates, monks, artists, academics,diplomats, and Budhist community members in large numbers.
The evening began with the traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness and the awakening of wisdom. This was followed by sacred chanting from the Tripitaka, led by Venerable Anandamitra Mahathero, invoking peace and spiritual reflection.
A short documentary film titled “The Way of Buddha” was screened, offering a visual journey through the life, teachings, and global impact of the Buddha.
The program concluded with a performance called “Buddha – The Enlightened One”, choreographed and performed by Mr. Anisul Islam Hero, the Director of Srishti Cultutal Centre and a remowned ICCR alumnus. A celebrated classical dancer trained in Bharatanatyam under the ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara’ system in India, Mr. Hero has performed on prestigious international platforms including the International Summer Ballet Seminar in Austria and dance education initiatives in Japan, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Australia. He is also known for using dance as a medium for social awareness and education, particularly in the field of HIV/AIDS advocacy. His performance, along with his dedicated team, received resounding applause for its artistic portrayal of the Buddha’s journey to enlightenment.
The Ashadhi Purnima celebration reaffirmed the enduring relevance of the Buddha’s message of peace, compassion, and inner transformation, and stood as a testament to the deep and abiding cultural ties between India and Bangladesh.
