Paying homage to Buddha's relics: Crowds celebrating Vesak 2025, filled with compassionate energy

"Compassion is multiplied tenfold"

Witnessing the Buddha's relics for the first time in Vietnam, monk Thich Le Buu (Dong Hiep Pagoda, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City) could not hide his emotion. He said that from the moment he entered the queue to worship the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni, his heart was filled with a source of compassionate energy that was difficult to describe in words.

In the solemn atmosphere of the 2025 United Nations Vesak celebration, Master Le Buu clearly felt the vitality and miraculous energy present in this sacred space. He said that the first thing he did when bowing to the Buddha was to feel joy: "I felt the compassion in me multiply tenfold."

People and Buddhists line up to pay homage to the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni - a national treasure of India, which is being enshrined at Thanh Tam Pagoda.

PHOTO: NGUYEN ANH

Not only was he moved, Mr. Le Buu also expressed his appreciation for the organization of this Vesak celebration. He commented that the arrangement of this event was “very methodical and serious” right from the welcome gate, everything was meticulous down to the smallest detail.

“Those who take on this organizing task not only have responsibility, but also must have great compassion to be able to do it so well,” he said.

Master Thich Le Buu shared that the special thing is not only that the Buddha's relics were brought to Vietnam for the first time, but also the meaningful coincidence that the ceremony took place on the occasion of the country's 50th anniversary of national reunification. "Vietnam is now very peaceful, the young generation today inherits these achievements thanks to the "accumulation of merit and virtue" from previous generations. In the bustling atmosphere of the great festival, I feel that, whether religious or not, everyone feels joyful, as if receiving a gentle, benevolent source of energy," Master Le Buu acknowledged.

Traveling thousands of kilometers, lining up in the sun to pay homage to the relics of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc

Entering the worship area is to feel the serenity.

In the line of people lining up to visit the Buddha's relics during the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival, Ms. Tran Ngoc Bich (54 years old, Buddhist name Bao Ngoc, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City) expressed her indescribable emotions when she saw the Buddha's relics for the first time in her own country.

She said she learned about the event from social media, YouTube and Facebook. Despite her busy work schedule, she and her husband still tried to arrange to attend the ceremony in the afternoon.

“I also prayed to Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara to bless me to arrive safely. Luckily, as soon as I arrived, I was taken by shuttle bus to the worship area and even got a good seat,” Ms. Bich shared.

When asked about her experience, she said the organization was very thoughtful and solemn. Despite the hot weather, the support team was still enthusiastic, even fanning people to avoid the heat. She said that when she stepped into the relic tower area, she suddenly felt strangely peaceful.

Five-colored clouds appear at Thanh Tam Pagoda, where Buddha's relics are enshrined.

PHOTO: THUY LIEU

“I clasped my hands and chanted Buddha's name while walking in line, feeling light and happy. It was as if I had enough good fortune to see the relics with my own eyes,” Ms. Bich shared.

As a devout Buddhist, Ms. Bich believes that bringing the Buddha's relics to Vietnam is a rare occasion, because not everyone has the opportunity to go to India to see them in person. She emotionally recounted: "I saw the relics enshrined in the towers, very beautiful and solemn. When I walked in, although it was sunny outside, inside I felt cool, light, and naturally healthy."

In particular, according to her, this relic worship took place at a meaningful time, the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

“After the April 30th ceremony comes Vesak, and on this occasion I get to see the relics, it feels really an honor. I find Vietnam wonderful, from the way it is organized to the friendliness and closeness of the people,” Ms. Bich said emotionally.

Seeing the relics is like being born again.

For Ms. Tran Thi Kim Oanh (62 years old, in Tan Phu district, Dong Nai province), being able to worship Buddha's relics was a sacred experience, "like being born again".

According to Ms. Oanh, the moment she entered the place to worship the relics, her consciousness felt like it was reborn in the magical light of Buddhism. “The emotions were overwhelming, beyond words. I am very grateful to the authorities, departments, security forces and especially the monks who created conditions for us to have this opportunity,” Ms. Oanh said.

For Ms. Kim Oanh, the organization of this grand ceremony really surprised her. From the reasonable arrangement of routes, the flow of people, to the coordination of support forces, everything was prepared methodically and thoughtfully.

Monks and Buddhists come to Thanh Tam Pagoda to worship Buddha's relics.

PHOTO: THUY LIEU

In addition, Ms. Kim Oanh said that the solemn and sacred atmosphere of this year's Vesak festival is "no less than a major national festival". She felt it was very special that just after the 50th anniversary of the country's unification, another important occasion, the Vesak Buddha's birthday, came right away.

“It was a meaningful coincidence, a reminder of today’s peace. The more I think about it, the luckier I feel,” said Ms. Oanh.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chiem-bai-xa-loi-phat-dong-nguoi-mung-vesak-2025-tran-ngap-nguon-nang-luong-tu-bi-185250505182917054.htm