Shun quarrels, conflicts and meanness

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia speaks at the National Buddhists' Conference in the city yesterday. PHOTO: PID

"Peace and people's welfare are the basic of all religions," she reminded while inaugurating 'Kathin Chibar Dan' ceremony, the offering of robes, and National Buddhist Conference-2003 at the Buddhist Monastery at Merul Badda in the afternoon.

Presided over by Upa Sangharaj of the Supreme Bangha Council of Bangladesh Dharmasen Mahathero, the function was also addressed by Food Minister Abdullah Al Noman, Dhaka City Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, State Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharref Hossain Shahjahan and State Minister for Overseas Employment and Expatriates Welfare Maj (retd) Kamrul Islam.

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President of Bangladesh Buddhist Federation Monu Lal Barua, General Secretary Dibedu Bikash Chowdhury Barua, Chairman of the Celebration Committee Bishwapati Barua and General Secretary of the Organizing Committee Ashoke Barua also spoke on the occasion.

Ministers, MPs, diplomats and a large number of Buddhist monks from different parts of the country attended the function.

On arrival at the venue, the prime minister unveiled a statue of Gautam Buddha, presented by the government of Thailand. She also saw the model of a proposed development project of the Buddhist Monastery.

In her address, Khaleda Zia said Bangladesh is a country of religious harmony and the people would have to unitedly uphold this glorious tradition.

She recalled the peaceful observance of Durga Puja and said the Muslims were now observing the holy Ramadan, the Buddhists celebrating the 'Kathin Chibar Dan' while the Christians would be observing Christmas next month.

"This is how people of different religious are living together and observing their religious festivals at almost the same time," she said.

"The unity in diversity and the diversification in unity are our characteristics. We have to uphold these characteristics and tradition," Khaleda said adding that her government has ensured protecting "respective identity of all religions and culture.

Referring to the basic characteristics of Buddhism, the prime minister reminded that Islam also calls for peace and forbearance.

In the present day world, application and realisation of Buddha's message of non-violence and peace were very much necessary, she said.

She recalled that this region's noted Buddhist scholars like Atish Dipankar, Shilbhadra and Acharya Shanto Rakshit had spread Buddha's message of peace, non-violence and equality in different parts of East Asia and far flung areas of China, Tibet, Kashmir and Nepal.

On the issue of a "National Bouddha Beehar," the prime minister assured that the ministry of religious affairs would take a decision in this regard after discussion with the representatives of different Buddhist organisations of the country.

She also presented a Kathina Chibar (robe) to Dharmasen Mohathero at the function.