A group of Buddhist religious leaders met Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Sunday to exchange greetings on the occasion of Probarona Purnima, one of the community’s most important religious festivals.
During the meeting, the delegation explained the religious and cultural significance of Probarona Purnima and invited the chief adviser to visit their monasteries. They also expressed appreciation for the government’s decision to allocate land in Uttara for Buddhist cremation rites, reports BSS.
According to the leaders, the interim government acted within ten days of receiving their request, making it possible for the community to conduct last rites in the capital instead of travelling to Chattogram. “This has created a dignified place for our final journey in Dhaka,” they said.
The leaders also shared with Yunus the preparations for the upcoming Kathin Chibor Dan, another key Buddhist observance, and conveyed gratitude to both the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs for their ongoing support.
At the same time, they placed several demands before the Chief Adviser, including state assistance for religious pilgrimages and the establishment of a government-funded knowledge centre named after Atish Dipankar, the renowned Buddhist philosopher and teacher.
The delegation included Principal of Dharmarajika Buddhist Mahavihar Buddhapriya Mahathera, General Secretary of Bangladesh Buddhist Federation Bhikkhu Sunandapriya, Bhikkhu Kalyan Jyoti of the Hill Tracts Bhikkhu Sangha, Vice Chairman of Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust Bhabesh Chakma, and General Secretary of Bangladesh Buddhist Association (Dhaka region) Swapan Barua Chowdhury.
Trustees of the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust such as Professor Sukomal Barua, Mong Hla Ching, Sushil Chandra Barua, Professor Bobby Barua, Rubel Barua and Rajib Kanti Barua were also present.
Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma joined the occasion.
