35,000 flower lanterns pray for world peace at Vesak 2025: 'Peaceful mind, peaceful world'

The flower lantern ceremony praying for world peace within the framework of the 2025 Vesak festival was attended by 12,000 people, including many Buddhists from pagodas who stayed to attend after worshiping the Buddha's relics.

The ceremony was attended by Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Council of Patriarchs, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 2025 Vesak Festival; Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, Chairman of the International Organizing Committee of the Vesak Festival (ICDV); Mr. Dao Ngoc Dung, Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion, along with 12,000 monks, nuns, Buddhists and delegates from 85 countries and territories.

12,000 people lit candles and 35,000 lanterns to pray for world peace

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In his opening speech, Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem, Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said: "The flame of compassion is lit today not only to illuminate the space, but also to illuminate people's hearts. When the mind is at peace, the world is at peace. When each person knows how to live with mindfulness and compassion, society will no longer have violence, conflict or discrimination. The Buddha taught that hatred cannot be resolved by hatred, only love can resolve hatred. From the light of today's lamp, we vow to light up a future where people's hearts are filled with understanding and their hearts are filled with love."

The organizers lit 35,000 lanterns. Of these, 20,000 were made of paper and candles, 10,000 were battery-operated (in case of rain), and 5,000 were made of plastic and placed around the area above the lake in Lang Le Park.

The flower lantern ceremony took place in a solemn atmosphere.

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Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi is a Buddhist monk from New York (USA). After completing his university studies, he went to Sri Lanka to receive novice ordination in 1972 and full ordination in 1973.

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The night of lanterns praying for world peace had delegates from 85 countries and territories.

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At the ceremony, Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of ICDV, shared that he was very moved to witness the flower lanterns being lit in Vietnam. In the light of the flower lanterns, he saw Vietnam's faith, compassion and global responsibility. Buddhism is not only a religion, but also a path leading humanity to true peace: external peace originates from internal peace.

"Let us together vow to strive for purity. With that pure mind, let us do many good deeds, bringing benefits to all beings. That is the spirit of committed Buddhism, acting for the benefit of sentient beings without attachment to the action, without expecting anything in return. That is also the essence of the plenary discussion this afternoon," said the President of ICDV.

Minister of Ethnic Minorities and Religions Dao Ngoc Dung also expressed his gratitude for the solemn moments spent by the Church, monks, nuns and Buddhists to commemorate more than 3 million Vietnamese compatriots and soldiers who sacrificed for the independence and unification of the Fatherland.

He emphasized that the Party and State of Vietnam always respect the freedom of religious belief and freedom of non-religious belief of all Vietnamese people. Minister Dao Ngoc Dung hopes that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and all people, religious and non-religious, will unite, be compassionate, and work with the entire nation to build a prosperous, happy and prosperous Vietnam.

Buddhists and volunteers attend the lantern festival

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ICDV President - Phra Brahmapundit said he saw Vietnam's compassion and global responsibility when 35,000 flower lanterns were lit.

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Delegates pray for peace under the light of lanterns forming a map of Vietnam.

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Sparkling lanterns at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City and Lang Le Park

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Lanterns are released under the lake of Lang Le park.

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During the Vesak 2025 celebration, delegates always emphasized the spirit of compassion, solidarity, and tolerance to have inner peace and create a peaceful world.

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