Worshiping Buddha's relics: Sacred, solemn, respectful

From May 25 to 28, 2025, the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni - the sacred national treasure of India were enshrined at Truc Lam Yen Tu Palace (Uong Bi City). More than 1 million people, Buddhists and tourists came to worship, looking forward to good things in a sacred and solemn atmosphere, praying for national peace and prosperity. Thereby, spreading the brand, affirming Quang Ninh as a leading destination for cultural and spiritual events, aiming to become a tourist center connecting the region and the world.

The welcoming and enthronement ceremony was held by the Executive Committee of the Buddhist Sangha of Quang Ninh province with the most solemn and sacred ritual ever.

Solemn, sacred, respectful

Yen Tu has long been considered the spiritual source of many generations of Vietnamese people, the place considered the cradle of Truc Lam Zen sect, the first Buddhist Zen sect with Vietnamese identity founded by King Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century. Also at Yen Tu, Hue Quang Kim Thap, where the Buddha's relics are kept, has stood silently for seven centuries as an immortal testament to the ideal of practice and enlightenment. Many ancient documents, such as Lich Trieu Hien Chuong Loai Chi or the story of researcher Nguyen Tran Truong, all confirm the long-term presence of the Buddha's relics here, where heaven and earth and people together preserve the immortal lamp of meditation. That becomes even more meaningful when Yen Tu becomes the place to welcome and enshrine the Buddha's relics, thereby arousing deep spiritual inspiration, connecting the two Buddhist sects of Vietnam and the world .

Perhaps never before in history have the images of world Buddhism and Vietnamese Buddhism converged so vividly. On one side is Buddha Shakyamuni, who gave up his throne to open the path to enlightenment for sentient beings. On the other side is Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, the enlightened king of Dai Viet, who after bringing peace to the country became a monk and became the founder of the Truc Lam Zen sect with the philosophy of "Living in the world and enjoying the Dharma".

That sacred meeting took place at Yen Tu, considered the pinnacle of Vietnamese Buddhism, during the procession of Buddha's relics to nine famous Buddhist sites across the three regions of the country. This was not only a profound spiritual ceremony but also affirmed the independent identity and worldly spirit typical of Vietnamese Buddhism in the global Buddhist flow.

The welcoming and enthronement ceremony was held by the Executive Committee of the Quang Ninh Provincial Buddhist Sangha with the most solemn and sacred ritual ever. After the welcoming and enthronement ceremony, the Executive Committee of the Provincial Buddhist Sangha organized for monks, nuns, Buddhists, people and tourists from all directions to come and worship in joy. The entire congregation wholeheartedly and respectfully turned toward the Buddha's relics to pray for national peace and world peace.

For 3 days, the line of people stretched from early morning until late at night, regardless of the long distance, patiently lining up with all their hearts towards the Buddha with faith in the good values ​​of compassion and charity. This is not only an occasion to show respect to the Buddha but also an opportunity for each person to practice the Buddha's teachings on compassion, wisdom, moral values, and mindfulness to build a peaceful world.

Tens of thousands of people lined up to worship Buddha's relics.

After the worship ceremony, on the evening of May 27, a flower lantern offering ceremony and prayer for national peace and prosperity took place. In a solemn and respectful atmosphere, people and Buddhists lit more than 5,000 flower lanterns to respectfully offer to Buddha right in Truc Lam Palace, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere. In particular, the program of combining the words "National Peace and Prosperity" lit by 1,000 candles in the middle of the large yard of Truc Lam Palace and the impressive low-altitude fireworks display brought many experiences to people, tourists and a large number of Buddhists.

Mrs. Tran Thi Nguyet, 92 years old (Cam Pha City) was delighted to fulfill her wish to worship the relics: When I heard that the Buddha's relics would be enshrined in Yen Tu, my family and I immediately arranged our work to come here to worship. Despite my old age and poor health, I feel extremely satisfied to be able to come here. In particular, the organization was very good, there was no traffic jam, everyone worshiped very civilly and politely. In addition, the team of volunteers and the authorities also enthusiastically supported us so that we could worship conveniently and sincerely.

Continuing the journey of sacred worship in Vietnam, the thanksgiving ceremony to send off the Buddha's relics to Chuong Pagoda, Hung Yen province was carried out with absolute safety, demonstrating careful preparation and a high sense of responsibility, contributing to the overall success of this event with profound spiritual meaning.

Along with a number of provinces and cities, Quang Ninh province is honored to be the locality to receive the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni - the national treasure of India. This is an important and rare event because according to Indian regulations, each country can only receive and enshrine the relics of Buddha once. This is also the first time the relics of Buddha have been enshrined in Quang Ninh for people and Buddhists to worship.

People are sincere, oriented towards good and kind values.

Venerable Thich Dao Hien, Deputy Head and Chief Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Quang Ninh province, affirmed: Not only a religious event, the worship of Buddha's relics at Yen Tu is truly becoming a spiritual journey that touches the hearts of thousands of people, arousing reverence, peace and sacred wishes in every step of the pilgrimage. The worship of the relic tower brings great merit because of the sincerity, joy and mindfulness of the pilgrim himself. This is also an opportunity to nurture faith, compassion, wisdom, reminding each person to live responsibly, ethically, always aiming for good and kind things.

Create great influence

The event has become the largest religious activity in the scenic area, with a particularly important meaning to introduce and promote to the people and tourists about a sacred and peaceful Yen Tu, an extremely attractive cultural and spiritual address with dozens of pagodas and hundreds of towers and hermitages scattered in a vast space of majestic mountains and forests. A spectacular and unique cultural heritage of the world is being submitted to UNESCO for recognition.

Determining that this is an important event with great influence, the province has carried out preparations for the procession and worship of Buddha's relics at Truc Lam Yen Tu Palace in a solemn and serious manner, ensuring absolute security and safety, serving monks, nuns, Buddhists, people and a large number of tourists coming to worship. Thereby, contributing to building the image of Quang Ninh as friendly, hospitable and professional.

The elderly and those in poor health are supported to visit the Buddha's relics.

The Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee have promptly issued plans and assigned tasks to each sector and force to develop detailed plans for facilities, vehicles, forces and specific tasks. In particular, special attention is paid to plans to ensure security and order; traffic diversion, additional traffic regulation plans, arrangement of points, checkpoints and fire prevention plans. At the same time, detailed plans are made for the arrangement of forces and volunteers at points; food safety and hygiene, environmental sanitation, as well as emergency plans, electricity supply and communication are ensured.

The Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Quang Ninh province has closely coordinated with the province's functional agencies to implement the plan. Nearly 10,000 volunteers and functional forces have been mobilized to guide and support people and Buddhists to come to worship.

Venerable Bhante Pelwatte Seewalee Thero, General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society (the unit that preserves the Buddha's relics) commented: The organization at Yen Tu was carried out in a very methodical and professional manner. All rituals were conducted solemnly. With the sacredness and respect for the worship of the Buddha's relics, the people who came here were very happy, lined up neatly and sincerely. In addition, the functional forces and volunteer teams have fully supported the people, ensured safety and provided food and drinks for the people. We highly appreciate and truly respect the organization of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Quang Ninh province and the local authorities so that the worship of the relics is truly a journey for each person to feel faith, calm down and find the core values ​​in Buddhism.

After nearly 4 days of organizing a pilgrimage to the Buddha's relics, more than 1 million people, tourists, and Buddhists came to Yen Tu to worship Buddha.

Up to this point, the event of welcoming and enshrining the Buddha's relics has been assessed as extremely successful, solemn, attracting many people, Buddhists and tourists to worship. Thereby, affirming Yen Tu as the center of Buddhism, spreading good values ​​in spiritual culture associated with the traditional culture and history of the nation. At the same time, once again positioning Quang Ninh as the destination of international events. With a synchronous and modern traffic infrastructure with a highway running along the province, convenient air routes and seaports, along with diverse destinations from islands, culture, spirituality, resorts to highlands, borders..., a system of high-class and rich 4-5 star restaurants and hotels, Quang Ninh is always ready to be the destination of major events and activities domestically as well as internationally. And in fact, Quang Ninh has successfully organized many events, leaving deep impressions in the hearts of tourists from all over.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Dung, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said: With the advantages and specific solutions, Quang Ninh province is focusing on investing in building technical facilities, infrastructure that meets international standards with modern equipment, ready to host and welcome domestic and foreign conferences and events. Along with that, Quang Ninh has issued preferential policies, reasonable costs, registered to organize conferences; strengthened cooperation to participate in hosting such as building a professional organization program with sightseeing tours, taking advantage of many natural landscapes, increasing revenue for the tourism industry.

All roads leading to Truc Lam Palace are guaranteed maximum security.

Quang Ninh is striving to become a regional and international tourism center, a cultural industrial center with high-class resorts, a synchronous and modern infrastructure system, diverse, unique, high-quality tourism products, strong brands and global appeal, and high competitiveness... In 2025, Quang Ninh province will organize 24 international, national, provincial-level programs and events and nearly 150 local-level programs and events to attract tourists. From there, it is determined to achieve the goal of attracting 20 million visitors, of which 4.5 million are international visitors, with tourism revenue reaching 55,000 billion VND, contributing positively to the overall growth of the province.

Hoang Quynh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/tao-suc-lan-toa-tu-cac-su-kien-quoc-te-3360141.html