India 'takes exceptional step' to extend Buddha's relics preservation period in Vietnam

Buddha's relics are enshrined at Quan Su Pagoda - Photo: DANH KHANG

Today, May 20, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs sent an urgent document to the People's Committees of the provinces of Ninh Binh, Bac Giang, Quang Ninh, Hung Yen and Da Nang city; the Department of Internal Security, Ministry of Public Security to seek opinions on the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha's request to add locations to enshrine the Buddha's relics, the national treasure of India, from May 22 to June 2 at 5 pagodas in these localities.

5 pagodas expected to enshrine Buddha relics after extension

The document of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs stated that in response to the needs and wishes of a large number of Buddhists and people to worship Buddha's relics, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has requested permission to extend the time to enshrine Buddha's relics in Vietnam.

On May 19, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam issued a document announcing that the Indian Prime Minister had approved extending the time to enshrine Buddha's relics in Vietnam until June 2.

On May 20, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs received a document from the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha requesting to add a location to enshrine the Buddha's relics, a national treasure of India, from May 22 to June 2.

The 5 locations the church plans to request to enshrine Buddha's relics include:

- Bai Dinh Pagoda, Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province, from May 21 to 22.

- Phuc Son Pagoda, Tan Yen District, Bac Giang Province, from May 22 to 24.

- Truc Lam Yen Tu Palace, Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province, from May 25 to 28.

- Chuong Pagoda, Hung Yen City, Hung Yen Province from May 28 to 29.

- Ngu Hanh Son Pagoda, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang City from May 30 to June 2.

To have a basis for advising and reporting to the Prime Minister on this matter, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs requests the People's Committees of relevant provinces and cities and the Department of Internal Security, Ministry of Public Security to give written opinions on the church's request, and send them to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs before 5:00 p.m. on May 20.

Sea of ​​people waiting to go through security to line up to worship Buddha's relics - Photo: DANH KHANG

Millions of people have visited Buddha's relics in Vietnam.

Previously, a document from the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha sent to the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee and the Government Religious Affairs Committee on the morning of May 20 said that in recent days, millions of people have come to worship and pay homage to Buddha's relics.

Due to the worship needs of a large number of Buddhist followers and people nationwide, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has requested the Prime Minister to consult with the Indian Government to allow an extension of the time to enshrine the Buddha's relics in Vietnam according to the above schedule.

This schedule received high consensus from the Standing Committee of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

At the same time, the Board of Trustees also surveyed and evaluated eligible locations for worship and discussed with local authorities and the Board of Trustees of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the provinces of Bac Giang, Quang Ninh, Hung Yen, and Da Nang City.

'Exceptional move' by Indian Government

The Indian Embassy's announcement to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 19 said the Indian Government "took an exceptional step" and agreed to extend the period of keeping Buddha's relics in Vietnam after May 21.

The Indian Embassy requested the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send a program to enshrine Buddha's relics at the planned locations after May 21 to complete preparations on both sides.

The notice did not mention the date up to which India agreed to extend the deadline.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/an-do-co-buoc-di-ngoai-le-gia-han-thoi-gian-luu-giu-xa-loi-duc-phat-tai-viet-nam-20250520183841779.htm