Visiting Buddha's relics, India's national treasure in Hanoi

Buddha Sakyamuni's relics - India's national treasure - arrive in Hanoi . Photo: Quang Thai

"Once in a thousand years" event

At the request of the Government of Vietnam, the Government of India has agreed to allow the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to bring the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni, a national treasure of India, to Vietnam for enshrinement from May 2 to 21, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh province, Hanoi capital and Ha Nam province.

The procession of the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni to Vietnam within the framework of the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival for people and Buddhists to worship and pay homage is an event that many people consider "once in a thousand years".

After being enshrined at Ba Den Mountain, the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni were brought to Quan Su Pagoda (Hanoi) by the Venerables of the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam and India on the afternoon of May 13.

The relics of Buddha Shakyamuni were discovered by British archaeologist William Claxton Peppe in 1898 while excavating the foundation site in Piprahwa village, Siddharth Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh state, India. By deciphering the characters written on the lid of the relic jar, archaeologists and researchers have determined that these are the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni, as recorded in the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, which divides the Buddha's relics into eight parts and enshrines them in stupas in different regions.

Sakyamuni Buddha's relics arrive at Quan Su Pagoda. Photo: Quang Thai

Indian scientific agencies have appraised and classified the most revered national treasure. The Buddha's relics are currently kept, conserved and worshipped by the National Museum of India, the Mahabodhi Society, and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) under the Ministry of Culture of India.

The Buddha's relics brought to Vietnam were invited from the National Museum of India and originated from the Buddhist holy land of Sarnath, where the Buddha preached his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.

In 2025, the Buddha's relics will be brought to Vietnam on the occasion of the United Nations Day of Vesak. According to the Indian Embassy in Hanoi, India highly values the strong traditional friendship between the people of the two countries. The procession of the Buddha's relics and related cultural activities will contribute to deepening the relationship between Vietnam and India.

Vietnam integration and development

The Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha said that the Buddha's relics will be enshrined at Quan Su Pagoda (Hanoi) from May 13 to 16. This event is part of the series of activities of the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak, the fourth time it will be held in Vietnam.

Previously, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha hosted the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 from May 6 to 8 in Ho Chi Minh City. This is the fourth time Vietnam has hosted the world cultural and religious event for peace within the framework of the United Nations.

This important international event is an opportunity for Vietnam to introduce the image of a country and people who love peace, friendliness, solidarity and harmony; an opportunity for international friends to witness a dynamic, creative, prosperous and thriving Ho Chi Minh City after 50 years of national reunification.

Crowds of people welcome Buddha's relics at the gate of Quan Su Pagoda. Photo: Quang Thai

The success of the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak is also an opportunity to affirm to the international community the consistent policy of respecting and ensuring freedom of belief and religion of the Party and State of Vietnam; the reality of religious freedom in Vietnam; and the achievements that the religious community in Vietnam has achieved after 50 years of national reunification.

From May 14 to the morning of May 16, the Sakyamuni Buddha relics will be enshrined on the first floor of the Quan Su Pagoda Hall (Hanoi), for Buddhists and people to come and worship from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monks, Buddhists, people and tourists do not need to register in advance.

After that time, the Buddha's relics will be brought back to Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam) for enshrinement from May 17 to 21. After that, the Buddha's relics will return to India.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/chiem-bai-xa-loi-phat-bao-vat-quoc-gia-an-do-tai-ha-noi-702137.html