Thousands of people carry Buddha's relics around Hoan Kiem Lake for the first time

At 7:00 p.m. on May 13, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha organized a procession to welcome the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni - a national treasure of India - from Quan Su Pagoda around Hoan Kiem Lake, to celebrate the Buddha's birthday and pray for peace , national prosperity, and favorable weather.

This is the first time Vietnam has organized a procession of Buddha's relics - India's national treasure - around Hoan Kiem Lake.

The procession carrying Buddha's relics started from Quan Su Pagoda at 7:00 p.m.

The streets near Quan Su Pagoda are crowded.

The procession passed through Ly Thuong Kiet and Hang Bai streets to Hoan Kiem Lake.

Speaking with VietNamNet Newspaper, Venerable Thich Minh Quang - Member of the Secretary of the Executive Council, Deputy Chief of the Central Office of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha said: Every year on the occasion of Buddha's birthday, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, with the permission of authorities at all levels, especially Hanoi city, organizes a Buddha procession through the streets to create an atmosphere to celebrate Buddha's birthday.

Hang Bai Street is like a sea of people at 8pm.

“This year, for the first time, we are able to bring the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni - a national treasure of India - to Vietnam. With the permission of Hanoi City, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha organized a procession of Buddha relics around Hoan Kiem Lake with the aim of giving more people and Buddhists the opportunity to worship Buddha relics. This is a very rare opportunity,” said Venerable Thich Minh Quang.

According to Venerable Thich Minh Quang, the procession of Buddha's relics around Hoan Kiem Lake on the occasion of Buddha's birthday is an opportunity for all people and Buddhists to join hands and pray sincerely for Vietnam to have national peace and prosperity, and for everyone to have peace and happiness.

The procession will move through Le Thai To and Ba Trieu streets. After the procession around Hoan Kiem Lake, the Buddha's relics will be enshrined in the central hall of Quan Su Pagoda for people and Buddhist followers from near and far to pay their respects.

The procession of people carrying Buddha's relics around Hoan Kiem Lake included a diverse group of men, women, old and young. Everyone moved with sincerity while chanting "Namo Sakyamuni Buddha".

According to VietNamNet Newspaper's reporter, dozens of processions decorated with colorful lights and flowers moved slowly through the streets.

From May 14-16, worship time is from 6am-9pm.

On the morning of May 17, the Buddha's relics will be brought to Tam Chuc Pagoda ( Ha Nam province) to be enshrined at Tam The Temple until 12:00 on May 20, 2025 for people and Buddhists from all over to come and worship.

Vietnamnet.vn