At the Buddha's Birthday celebrations held in various localities, the message of the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - Venerable Thich Tri Quang - was read aloud; in which he affirmed that the Buddha's Birthday celebration in the Buddhist calendar year 2570, Gregorian calendar year 2026, is an opportunity for every Buddhist to reflect and better understand the profound lessons from the life of the Buddha and his practical teachings; and at the same time, he hoped that the venerable monks, nuns, and Buddhist members of the Sangha would continue to dedicate themselves to service in mindfulness and peace, contributing to the solemnity of the Sangha and promoting the beautiful national traditions of Vietnamese Buddhism.
The Buddhist Youth Club of Quan Su Pagoda solemnly celebrated the Buddha's Birthday ceremony.
On this occasion, leaders of the Party and State, representatives of central ministries and agencies, and local governments visited and congratulated the Venerable monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers. This timely attention and encouragement, along with recognition of the contributions of Buddhism to social life, especially in promoting the spirit of solidarity, compassion, and accompanying the nation, is a testament to this.
During the Buddha's Birthday week, many activities took place throughout the country, such as: chanting scriptures, Buddha processions, bathing the infant Buddha Shakyamuni, releasing animals into the wild, floating lanterns on rivers and lakes; flower float parades on the streets, cultural performances, Buddhist lectures; establishing Lumbini Gardens, hanging flags and banners to celebrate Buddha's Birthday.
In the sacred atmosphere of the Buddha's birthday season, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) will solemnly organize the procession of Buddha's relics at Quan Su Pagoda on May 30th (April 14th in the lunar calendar).
The grand ceremony will consist of two main activities: the procession of Buddha's relics and a parade of decorated floats starting at 7 PM on May 30, 2026 (corresponding to the 14th day of the 4th lunar month). Approximately 30-40 floats decorated with images of the Buddha's birth are expected to participate, along with the participation of around 500 dignitaries, monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers.
The official Buddha's Birthday celebration for the year 2570 of the Buddhist calendar will begin at 8:00 AM on May 31, 2026 (corresponding to the 15th day of the 4th lunar month) at the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.
In Ho Chi Minh City, on the evening of May 24th, for the first time, a jade statue of the newborn Buddha was brought in for the Buddha procession. The statue, 60cm tall and weighing 32kg, was exquisitely crafted from a single block of rare Hetian jade, depicting Prince Siddhartha with one hand pointing to the sky and the other to the earth, exuding a serene aura. The event attracted thousands of monks, nuns, Buddhists, and citizens.
In Ho Chi Minh City, on the evening of May 24th, for the first time, a jade statue of the newborn Buddha was brought in for the Buddha procession.
On the afternoon of May 25th, a delegation of Ho Chi Minh City leaders, led by Comrade Tran Luu Quang, Member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, visited and extended congratulations to exemplary religious institutions, dignitaries, and officials. The delegation visited the Venerable Thich Tri Quang, the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha's Council of Elders, at Hue Nghiem Pagoda. Secretary Tran Luu Quang inquired about his health and offered congratulations to the Supreme Patriarch, the esteemed religious dignitaries of the Council of Elders, the Executive Council, monks, nuns, and Buddhists nationwide, and especially in Ho Chi Minh City, wishing them a peaceful and happy Vesak season.
Comrade Tran Luu Quang acknowledged and expressed gratitude for the contributions of monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Buddhist activities, charity, and social welfare; and affirmed that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha always accompanies and actively and effectively participates in major programs of Ho Chi Minh City, contributing to the building and development of the city.
Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang and his delegation visited and congratulated the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Ho Chi Minh City and Venerable Thich Le Trang. Photo: Viet Dung.
In Lam Dong province , amidst the joyful atmosphere of Buddhist followers, on the morning of May 26th, at the main altar of the Executive Board of Linh Son Pagoda (Xuan Huong ward - Da Lat), the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Lam Dong province solemnly organized the grand Buddha's Birthday celebration, Buddhist calendar 2570. On this occasion, the Executive Board organized many meaningful activities such as: a parade of decorated floats, visiting and giving gifts to those in difficult circumstances, organizing cultural and artistic programs, praying for peace, and charitable activities aimed at the community.
The Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Lam Dong Province offered incense to commemorate the heroic martyrs.
On May 25th, at Que Huong Pagoda in Dong Thap province, the Regional Buddhist Representative Office IV solemnly organized the Buddha's Birthday celebration in a dignified, serene atmosphere filled with religious devotion.
In that solemn atmosphere, the Venerable Monks and the entire congregation respectfully performed the Buddha's birthday celebration, chanted prayers for national peace and prosperity, and performed the ritual of bathing the Buddha, symbolizing the purification of body and mind, nurturing the seeds of compassion, and guiding people towards a life of mindfulness and peace.
At Que Huong Pagoda in Dong Thap, the Regional Buddhist Representative Office IV solemnly organized the Buddha's Birthday celebration.
On the morning of May 26th, at the Truc Lam Thien Truong Buddhist Center (Ninh Binh), Ms. Tran Thi Minh Nga, Deputy Head of the Government's Religious Affairs Committee, along with a delegation, visited and offered congratulations on the occasion of the Buddha's Birthday (Buddhist calendar 2570) to the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Ninh Binh province.
During the meeting, Ms. Tran Thi Minh Nga extended her best wishes to the Venerable Monks and Nuns and Buddhist followers of Ninh Binh province on the occasion of the Buddha's Birthday, Buddhist Calendar 2570. She acknowledged and highly appreciated the role of Buddhism in the province in promoting patriotic traditions, accompanying the nation, actively participating in social welfare activities, charity and humanitarian work, and building national unity.
Ms. Tran Thi Minh Nga, Deputy Head of the Government's Religious Affairs Committee, and her delegation visited and extended congratulations on the occasion of Buddha's Birthday to the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Ninh Binh province.
The solemn organization of the Buddha's Birthday celebration throughout the country not only meets the legitimate religious needs of the people but also vividly affirms the consistent policy of the Party and the State on guaranteeing freedom of belief and religion.
Photo: Vietnam Buddhist Association of provinces and cities
Thousands of people participate in the procession of the newborn Jade Buddha to kick off the Buddha's birthday week. The procession carrying the Buddha's image from the An Quang ancestral temple to Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda (Ho Chi Minh City), along with the ritual of bathing the Buddha, is one of the sacred activities that marks the beginning of the Buddha's birthday week (Buddhist calendar 2570).
The Buddha's Birthday Celebration and the Consistent Message on Freedom of Belief and Religion in Vietnam: The Buddha's Birthday Celebration is not only a major cultural and religious event for monks, nuns, and Buddhists, but also an opportunity to spread a humane message of harmony and respect for freedom of belief and religion in Vietnam.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/ca-nuoc-ron-rang-don-le-phat-dan-phat-lich-2570-duong-lich-2026-2519798.html
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