(BSS) – Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain has greeted the members of the Buddhist community on the occasion of the Kathin Chibor Dana (yellow robe offering ceremony), one of the major religious festival of the Buddhists.

“Buddhism is one of the oldest religions in Bangladesh. Gautam Buddha preached this religion more than 2,500 years ago. The writings of the 7th-century Chinese traveller and Buddhist monk Hiuen Tsang indicate that Gautam Buddha came to Bangla and preached the religion,” the adviser said in a message here today.

Therefore, Bangladesh is regarded as a sacred testimony of Buddhism, he said, adding, in the 7th century, more than 150,000 Buddhist monks lived in numerous monasteries located in Bihar, Karnasubarna, Tamralipta, Pundravardhana and Samatata.

The ruins of monasteries such as Nalanda Vihara in Bihar, Sompur Mahavihara in Paharpur, Shalvon in Mainamati and Vasu Vihara in Mahasthangar bear witness to the past glory of Buddhism, Dr Khalid said.

According to Buddhism and philosophy, he said, the ultimate goal of the Buddhist followers is to attain Nirvana.

The Four great Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path are the steps to attain Nirvana, the adviser said, adding, Buddhist monks renounce worldly life and immerse themselves in the pursuit of non-worldly, spiritual, and nirvana knowledge and meditation.

During this ceremony, the devotees offer new robes and other necessities to the monastic community, with a special emphasis on a robe that is woven, dyed, and stitched in a single day. The festival generates spiritual merit for the donors and fosters unity, devotion, and communal harmony within the Buddhist community.

They preach the Dharma that they have attained, realized, and attained for the happiness, peace, and welfare of many, he said.

On the other hand, Dr Khalid said, household Buddhists donate alms food, yellow robes, shelter, and medical supplies to the monks who have been ordained.

According to Buddhist scriptures, the donation of the Kathin Chibor is the best donation among such donations, he said, adding, therefore, after performing three-month long seclusion inside the monastery Buddhist monks celebrate the Kathin Chibor for one month at every monastery following the Prabarona Purnima .

“I welcome the initiative of the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust to organize a large-scale Kathin Chibor Dan this year and congratulate the officials of the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust and everyone involved in organizing the event,” Dr Khalid said.

“I firmly believe that this initiative will sharpen the religious consciousness of Buddhists and inspire them to unite and march the country forward,” he added.

The adviser wished the national Kathin Chibor Dan ritual as success with participation of all concerned, including Buddhist religious leaders and devotees .