Calling on monks, nuns and Buddhists to volunteer to protect the heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc

Thích Quảng Đức - Ảnh 1. — Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Tri Quang offered words of tribute to the 62nd anniversary of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc's self-immolation - Photo: HOAI PHUONG

On the morning of May 17, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc's self-immolation and to commemorate the holy martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Dharma and the nation, at the Vietnam National Temple.

Attending the memorial ceremony were the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Tri Quang, Permanent Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Thien Phap, Deputy Secretary General of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha's Council of Evidence Thich Minh Thong;

Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City Thich Le Trang... with Venerables, monks, nuns, and Buddhists.

Offering words of remembrance to Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc

The Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Thich Tri Quang, offered incense and words of remembrance to express his sincere gratitude to Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc and the martyrs who sacrificed themselves for the Dharma and the nation.

Venerable Elder Thich Tri Quang emphasized the spirit of compassion and self-immolation of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc at the intersection of Phan Dinh Phung - Le Van Duyet (now Nguyen Dinh Chieu - Cach Mang Thang Tam, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City) to protect Buddhism.

Venerable Elder Thich Tri Quang mentioned that in the past, the heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc was kept at the State Bank of Vietnam . Every year, on the anniversary of the Bodhisattva's death, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha comes to hold a ceremony, pay respect, and worship.

At that time, the monk vowed to invite the heart relics of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc back for monks, nuns, and Buddhists to worship and learn from him.

"It was not until this year, on the occasion of Vietnam hosting the 20th United Nations Vesak Festival , that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha requested the leaders to invite the heart relics of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc for people to worship, and then ask for permanent enshrinement at Da Bao Tower - Viet Nam Quoc Tu" - said Venerable Elder Thich Tri Quang.

Thích Quảng Đức - Ảnh 2. — Venerable Elder Thich Tri Quang performs the incense offering ceremony - Photo: HOAI PHUONG

Thích Quảng Đức - Ảnh 3. — Many monks and nuns attended the memorial service for Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc - Photo: HOAI PHUONG

Calling on monks, nuns and Buddhists to protect relics

At the memorial service, Venerable Elder Thich Tri Quang called on monks, nuns, and Buddhists to volunteer to participate in the work of protecting the heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, which is enshrined in Da Bao tower.

The Venerable suggested that at least one day a month, monks, nuns, and Buddhists should be arranged to volunteer to take turns guarding and protecting the heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc.

After the memorial ceremony, leaders of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City, along with monks, nuns, and Buddhists, performed a ritual of worshiping towards the heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc in front of Da Bao tower.