RANGPUR, June 18, 2003 (BSS) - Buddhism has become a symbol of peace, harmony, tolerance, non-violence and humanism, with no record of wrongdoing since the beginning of the religion.
 
Public representatives and Buddhist religious thinkers made the observation in the inaugural function of newly built 'Wat Analayo Buddhist Temple' at village Somnarayan in Pirgachha upazila of the district on Saturday afternoon.
 
Principal of Nabo Shalbon Bihar (New Shalbon Buddhists Temple) in Cumilla Bhodonto Sheel Bhadra Mohathero presided over the function organised by the Wat Analayo Buddhist Temple authority.
 
Pirgachha Upazila Chairman Shah Abu Naser Md Mahbubar Rahman attended the function as the chief guest.
 
Pirgachha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nazmul Haque Suman, Officer-in-Charge of Pirgachha police station Masumur Rahman, President of Pirgachha Upazila Awami League Taslim Uddin and Chairman of Local Etakumari union parishad Abul Basher were present as special guests.
 
An 11-member team of the Buddhist community from Thailand led by President of Buddhist Education Foundation in Bangladesh Sugato Bhikkhu participated in the function.
 
Mrs Chitra Phetvongs from Thailand jointly with Sugato Bhikkhu formally inaugurated the Wat Analayo Buddhist Temple following appropriate religious rituals of Buddhism.
 
General Secretary of Bangladesh Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mahasabha Bhodonto Dr Dr. Sanghapriya Mahathero, Principal of International Buddhist Temple at Dhaka Bhodonto Dharmomitra Mahathero, General Secretary of Bangladesh Buddhist Federation Bhodonto Bhikkhu Sunandapriyo Mahathera, among others, addressed.
 
The inauguration was followed by Manottam Kathin Chibardan, religious congregation, Sheel Grohan, Buddhist Puja, Sanghadan and Probrozzya of Aboriginal Kulputros, offering special prayers for welfare of the humankind and cultural functions.
 
Narrating the chronological history of Buddhist religion in Bengal, the speakers said Buddhism has been remaining as a religion of peace and non-violence in the region for centuries together.
 
They appreciated the efforts of the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to build up a non-communal and developed digital Bangladesh through ensuring equal rights and development of all people irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
 
The chief guest said the present government has taken various steps for enhancing development of all citizens, including the ethnic minorities, through ensuring education and nurturing cultures to make them worthy citizens with equal rights.
 
"People of this soil enjoy full religious freedom in performing and conducting their own religious rituals and the present government is committed to uphold the core spirit of the War of Liberation in establishing a secular society," he said.