Dhammakaya Foundation, a Thailand-based Buddhist organisation, yesterday donated 250 Buddha statues to Bangladesh in a ceremony marking International Buddha Anniversary Celebration 2010.
Executive Assistant Abbot (Head) of the foundation Phrakruvitedpanyapan handed over the statues to the Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at a ceremony held at the Pologround Field.
Industries Minister Dilip Barua inaugurated the programme organised by Buddhist Research and Publication Centre Bangladesh.
Supreme Patriarch of Buddhist Community in Bangladesh Sangharaj Dharmasen Mohasthobir presided over the ceremony.
Addressing the programme, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said, “Our relation with different neighbouring and many other countries has been strengthened over the centuries through Buddhism which was originated here in this sub-continent and later spread across the world.”
She expressed her hope that the existing excellent bi-lateral relation between Bangladesh and Thailand would be developed more through handing over of the statues.
She said the message of non-violence towards all creature and mankind what Lord Buddha preached 2553 years ago is still relevant in the present era when violence is alarmingly increasing in the society.
The main messages of every religion, including peace, love for mankind, devotion, sacrifice and non-violence, are all the same and these morals are needed to fight terrorism and criminal activities.
She urged all the common people of Bangladesh irrespective of every religious community to be united to fight communalism and militancy.
Addressing the programme as the key discussant, Dhaka University (DU) Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique stressed following the principles of religions to develop a peaceful society.
Primary and Mass Education Minister Afsarul Ameen, Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Sarad Kawary, State Minister for CHT Affairs Ministry Dipankar Talukder and Chairman of ATN Bangla Dr Mahfuzur Rahman were present as special guests.
President of the centre and Prof Ven Dr Jinobodhi of Chittagong University (CU), Bangladesh Buddhist Association President Ajit Barua and Bangladesh Buddha Krishty Prachar Sangha Organising Secretary Professor Dr Bikiran Prashad Barua made the address of welcome.
Later, the statues were distributed among different monasteries in the Chittagong region.
Source : http://www.thedailystar.net
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