Thousands of devotees gathered at the Benuban Vihar monastery in Agartala for offering prayers on the auspicious occasion of 2567th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha.
Buddha Purnima is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar and is celebrated across the globe by all with full devotion.
It is celebrated on the full-moon day of Vaisakh (April – May) blessed by the – birth, enlightenment and passing away of Lord Buddha.
This strange, three-fold coincidence, gives Buddha Purnima its unique significance.
Lord Buddha through his enlightened teachings showed the eternal path of non-violence, right conduct and universal love.
Lord Buddha’s teachings have the power to save mankind from ignorance, turmoil and moral decay.
Vante Khemachara, Chief monk of the Venuvan Buddha Vihar monastery said, “The Maharaja’s of Tripura constructed this Venuvan Buddha Vihar monestary and in 1947 it was inaugurated and since then Buddha Jayanti is being celebrated here. Today we are celebrating 2567th Buddha Jayanti.”
He added that not only Buddhist but people from other religion and communities like Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Bengali, tribal participate in the celebration forgetting their religion and community as they pray on the day for world peace as Lord Buddha spread the message of peace.
On this occation Buddhists pray so that all can live in peace and harmony and Buddhism teaches this and through such festival people gets united and can fight against evil forces like – insurgency and religious fundamentalism.
On this day not only the Buddhist but people from other religions also gather in monasteries and pray for peace.
They also participate for the celebration, showing the enduring welfare of humanity.
Benuban Vihar monastery of Agartala was constructed by the Manikya’s during the royal times and is considered one of the pilgrim centre of Buddhism.
Tripura is house to 2 lakh Buddhist who mainly belong to the Mog, Chakma, Barua and Uchoi community and practice Theraavada Buddhism.
Devotees from other neighouring state are also participating in the celebration this year.
Like every year on this day people from different part of Tripura gathers here to celebrate Buddha Jayanti and a fair is also organised.
Buddhism’s main teaching is based on the principal of ahimsa and peace and there is no place for violence.
