The Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha, in association with the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), celebrated Ashadhi Purnima on Thursday at the Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery in the capital, highlighting the shared spiritual heritage of Bangladesh and India.
Marking the sacred day when Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath—known as Dhammachakkapavattana or the Turning of the Wheel of Dharma—Ashadhi Purnima also signifies the beginning of Varsha Vassa, the traditional monastic retreat during the rainy season.
Sharing blessings on the occasion, Most Venerable Buddhapriya Mahathero, President of the Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha, emphasised the profound significance of the day in the Buddhist calendar and its timeless call for peace and spiritual discipline.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma addressed the gathering and underlined the deep-rooted Buddhist ties between the two countries. “India, being the land of the Buddha’s enlightenment, first sermon, and Mahaparinirvana, and Bangladesh being home to great Buddhist leaders such as Lord Atisha, reflect a shared spiritual legacy,” he said.
He added that India remains committed to preserving and promoting Buddhist teachings and heritage through initiatives such as the Buddhist Circuit, which allows pilgrims to retrace the Buddha’s footsteps from Lumbini to Bodh Gaya, Sarnath to Kushinagar. He also spoke about India’s support for monastic education and conservation of Buddhist artefacts.
Vice-Presidents of the Sangha, Ranjit Kumar Barua and Venerable Swarupananda Bhikkhu, were also present at the event, which was attended by youth delegates, monks, artists, academics, diplomats, and members of the Buddhist community in large numbers.
The programme commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness and the awakening of wisdom, followed by sacred chants from the Tripitaka led by Venerable Anandamitra Mahathero.
A short documentary titled `The Way of Buddha` was screened, presenting a visual journey through the life, teachings, and global influence of the Buddha.
The highlight of the evening was a special dance performance titled `Buddha – The Enlightened One`, choreographed and performed by celebrated classical dancer Anisul Islam Hero, Director of Srishti Cultural Centre and an ICCR alumnus. Trained in Bharatanatyam under the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara in India, Hero has performed internationally in Austria, Japan, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Australia, and is also known for using dance as a tool for social awareness, including HIV/AIDS advocacy.
His performance, along with his ensemble, received resounding applause for its artistic depiction of the Buddha’s journey to enlightenment.
The celebration concluded with a reaffirmation of the Buddha’s enduring message of peace, compassion, and self-realization, standing as a vibrant symbol of the enduring cultural and spiritual connection between India and Bangladesh.
