The 500-year-old pagoda in Hanoi before the ceremony to welcome Buddha's relics - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television Station

Quan Su Pagoda - the Central Headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is the third of four locations to welcome the Buddha's relics on the occasion of the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival. It is expected that at 3:00 p.m. on May 13, the Buddha's relics will be brought from Noi Bai International Airport, then pass through the main roads in Hanoi such as: Nhat Tan Bridge, Vo Chi Cong, Dao Tan, Tran Nhan Tong, Le Duan, Kim Ma, Tran Binh Trong, Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace and be placed at Quan Su Pagoda.

Before the time when the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni were welcomed to the pagoda, preparations were basically completed, ready for the important spiritual event on the occasion of the 2025 Vesak Festival.

The schedule of the procession of relics, the time of holding rituals and supporting activities are publicly posted on the information board in front of the temple gate and in the surrounding area for people to easily follow.

Many streets around Quan Su Pagoda have been barricaded to ensure security and traffic safety, as the number of people attending the ceremony is expected to increase in the coming days.

"The atmosphere today is very different - the city seems to slow down. I feel lucky to witness a spiritual event that the whole community is respectfully looking towards," Ms. Phuong (in Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi) shared.

“I left at 10am to get to the temple early. At my age, being able to worship Buddha’s relics is a great blessing. I don’t pray for anything for myself, I just hope my children and grandchildren live a good life and society is peaceful. I also hope that young people who come here will understand more about Buddhism, compassion and wisdom – things that never get old,” said Ms. Hoang Thi Lan (from Ha Nam ).

"I am not a Buddhist but I believe that values such as being gentle, living a good life, and respecting elders and juniors are things that everyone needs. I heard that relics are very sacred, as long as you are sincere, you will be blessed," Ms. Binh (in Son La ) shared.

The Buddha's relics will be enshrined on the first floor of the Quan Su Pagoda hall. Monks, nuns, Buddhists and people will pay homage to the relics from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on May 14, 15 and 16. After Hanoi, the Buddha's relics will be enshrined at Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam province) from May 17 to 21, for monks, nuns, Buddhists and people to pay homage. (Photo: Vesak 2025 Organizing Committee)

According to Buddhist scriptures, after attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, Buddha Shakyamuni continued to spread the Dharma, preaching to save sentient beings during the day and meditating at night. His practice accumulated into a great source of energy. When he passed away at the age of 80, his body was cremated, leaving behind countless relics - solid, colorful crystals. (Photo: Vesak 2025 Organizing Committee)

The procession of Buddha's relics - India's national treasure - to Vietnam is part of the series of events of the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival. (Photo: Organizing Committee of Vesak 2025)

Also on the morning of May 13, many people, monks, nuns and Buddhists came to Quan Su Pagoda to perform the Buddha Bathing Ceremony. Since 1951, this place has become the headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and is currently the headquarters of the Central Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

Quan Su Pagoda is one of the most famous ancient pagodas in Hanoi, built in the 15th century, initially as a place to welcome foreign ambassadors and later became a place to practice and worship Buddhism.

With its central position in the country's Buddhism, Quan Su Pagoda has repeatedly organized major events such as Buddha's Birthday, Vu Lan, national memorial services and especially Vesak - the anniversary of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and Nirvana.

The welcoming and enshrining of Buddha's relics at the pagoda this time is a special event, marking the spiritual connection between the Vietnamese Buddhist community and the world.

According to the Organizing Committee, the event to welcome the Buddha's relics is an opportunity for Buddhists and people to show their respect for the Triple Gem, while creating a space to connect the community and spread the good values of Buddhism in social life.

It is expected that during the three days from May 14 to 16, Quan Su Pagoda will welcome tens of thousands of Buddhists and tourists from all over to worship the relics and participate in spiritual activities.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/ngoi-chua-hon-500-nam-tuoi-o-ha-noi-truoc-gio-cung-nghinh-xa-loi-duc-phat-5046931.html