Sacred activities on the occasion of Buddha's Birthday on Truong Sa Islands

Truong Sa Pagoda and Sinh Ton Dong Pagoda are "spiritual milestones" affirming Vietnam's sacred and inviolable sovereignty over its sea and islands.

The large Truong Sa Pagoda is located in the center of the island. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Colonel Ngo Van Thanh - Party Secretary, Political Commissar of the Technical Department (Navy) - Head of Working Group No. 21, offered incense at Truong Sa Pagoda on Buddha's Birthday. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Venerable Thich Nhuan Dat, abbot of Truong Sa Pagoda, held a ceremony on Buddha's birthday, the 15th day of the 4th lunar month. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Leaders of Working Group No. 21 visited Truong Sa Archipelago and DK1 Platform, and burned incense at Truong Sa Pagoda on Buddha's Birthday, April 15 (lunar calendar). (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Leaders of Working Group No. 21 ring the temple bell on Buddha's Birthday, April 15 (lunar calendar). (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Members of Working Group No. 21 burn incense and perform a ceremony at Truong Sa Pagoda. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Buddha's Birthday is one of the three major holidays of the year in Buddhism (Buddha's Birthday, Vu Lan, and Enlightenment). (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Buddha's Birthday is a major holiday held every year on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month to commemorate the birth of Buddha. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Frangipani trees outside Truong Sa Pagoda. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Venerable Thich Nhuan Dat, abbot of Truong Sa Pagoda, gives calligraphy to people who come to the pagoda to ask for calligraphy as a souvenir. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Each word was carefully and beautifully written by Venerable Thich Nhuan Dat, abbot of Truong Sa Pagoda. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Many people visiting the island and going to the big Truong Sa pagoda ask for calligraphy to bring home as souvenirs. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

View of Truong Sa Pagoda on the full moon night of April. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Outside view of Sinh Ton Dong Pagoda. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Leaders of Working Group No. 21 came to burn incense at Sinh Ton Dong Pagoda. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Sinh Ton Dong Pagoda is also a spiritual landmark affirming Vietnam's sacred and inviolable sovereignty over its seas and islands. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)