Memorial ceremony for heroic martyrs and flower lantern night at Vesak 2025

This is one of the key spiritual activities of Vesak 2025, conveying a profound message of compassion, wisdom, harmony and sustainable development, in line with the theme of this year's celebration: "Solidarity and tolerance for human dignity: Buddhist wisdom for world peace and sustainable development".

Large lotus flowers decorated brightly by the lake create an impressive highlight.

Speaking at the ceremony, Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council and Vice Chairman of the Vesak 2025 Organizing Committee, affirmed: “Together, let us light up the light of faith, love and wisdom to pray for world peace and happiness for all beings. Let us remember the glorious past, commemorate the heroes who sacrificed for peace today and pray for countries still in conflict to soon find the light of reconciliation.”

The ceremony was performed solemnly.

In particular, Most Venerable Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit, Chairman of the International Organizing Committee for Vesak (ICDV), shared the symbolic meaning of the lotus flower and encouraged monks, nuns, and Buddhists to maintain a pure mind, live mindfully, and serve the community through compassionate actions.

In the shimmering light of more than 35,000 lanterns, the ceremony space became magical. Large lotus flowers were decorated brilliantly by the lake at Lang Le Park, creating an impressive highlight for the festival night. Instead of releasing them into the lake to protect the environment, delegates and people were instructed to place lanterns along the lake shore or around the flower beds. This action shows the harmonious combination of spirituality and awareness of protecting nature.

Delegates perform rituals at the flower lantern night.

Under the guidance of Venerable Thich Tri Chon, Deputy Head of the Central Buddhist Culture Committee, the masses offered incense, performed the traditional Buddha Bathing ceremony and meditated around the lake, sending wishes for humanity to live without hatred, without fear, and without leaving anyone behind.

Foreign delegates perform rituals at the flower lantern night.

On the same afternoon, at Thanh Tam Pagoda, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha held a grand ceremony to commemorate the heroic martyrs on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification. The ceremony lasted for two days, May 6 and 7, with traditional spiritual rituals from the three regions, demonstrating the morality of remembering the source of water and the unique contribution of Buddhism to the national cultural heritage.

In the shimmering light of the lantern night, the ceremony space becomes magical.

The night of flower lanterns is not only a symbolic ritual but also an act of resonance between religion and life, between spirituality and reality, affirming the positive role of Buddhism in the mission of globalization of peace and development. In the gentle light of thousands of candles, the spirit of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 spreads strongly like a common prayer of humanity: "May all live in peace, without fear, without hatred and no one is left behind".

Source: https://cand.com.vn/Xa-hoi/le-tuong-niem-cac-anh-hung-liet-sy-va-dem-hoa-dang-tai-dai-le-vesak-2025-i767487/