This is where the Buddha's relics are enshrined. In the perception of many high monks, Ba Den Mountain has become a new spiritual meeting place of the world .
Peaceful scene on top of Ba Den mountain
Amidst the solemn chanting and flickering candlelight of the world peace prayer ceremony, the 2025 Vesak Festival at Ba Den Mountain - the highest mountain in the South - has become a sacred gathering place for thousands of Buddhists from more than 80 countries and territories. Not only a pilgrimage site, this place is gradually affirming its position as a global Buddhist destination.
Ba Den Mountain is a gathering place for Buddhists from more than 80 countries around the world during the 2025 Vesak festival (Photo: Organizing Committee).
"We are standing in a place that the Pali Canon calls heaven," said Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of the International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV). The Pali Canon is the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. It is the most complete collection of early Buddhist scriptures in existence.
The President of ICDV called Ba Den Mountain a model for the five forms of happiness of the United Nations Vesak (Photo: Organizing Committee).
"Heaven is not a place to wait until we close our eyes to reach, but a realm we can reach right in this life. And today, on the top of Ba Den Mountain, we are enjoying that peaceful realm," Venerable Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit called Ba Den Mountain a model for the five forms of peace of the United Nations Vesak: from economy , society, environment to soul and international friendship. The 2025 Vesak Festival in Vietnam, with Ba Den as the destination, has contributed to realizing that.
A friendly, hospitable and sacred Vietnam
Many delegates who came to Vietnam for the first time, especially to Ba Den Mountain, expressed their emotion and surprise not only at the natural beauty or the scale of the spiritual works but also at the way Buddhism exists in life, as a source of peaceful life that covers both the space and the people here.
Buddha's relics are enshrined at Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh (Photo: Organizing Committee).
Dr. Arunjyoti Bhikkhu from India - the homeland of Buddha - said: "I was very moved to see the Vietnamese people receiving the Buddha's relics with deep respect. Ba Den Mountain is as beautiful as Rajgir in India - where the Peace Pagoda is located. This place is very beautiful and I have seen that Vietnamese Buddhists not only consider Buddhism as a religion but also as a way of life, because they have built such a magnificent Buddhist spiritual complex."
Monk Kosho Tomioka from Japan, who came to Tay Ninh for the first time, also expressed his surprise: "We have never seen such a massive spiritual structure on the mountain. In Japan, there are no relics like this. This is truly special and worthy of respect."
Buddhists worship relics on top of Ba Den Mountain (Photo: Organizing Committee).
With Venerable Maha Veth Masaenai - Vice President of the Lao Buddhist Union - shared: "On the top of this mountain, I feel a very good source of energy, fresh air. This is also a good relationship, when the relics of Duc Tri Ton are placed on Ba Den mountain for people to worship".
Beliefs and expectations of a world Buddhist destination
One of the most moving ceremonies at Ba Den Mountain was the planting of 108 Bodhi trees - symbols of wisdom, compassion and awareness - by delegates from around the world.
Ceremony of planting 108 Bodhi trees - symbol of wisdom, compassion and awareness (Photo: Organizing Committee).
Venerable Thich Minh Thien - Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) in Long An province - said: "The 108 trees represent the wish that everyone must love each other, protect each other and build happiness with compassion and wisdom."
Vice President of ICDV - Ven. T. Dhammaratana - expressed: "The whole mountain is covered in the yellow color of the robes. Not just one but 108 Bodhi trees have been planted, turning this place into a spiritual garden for Buddhists and Bodhisattvas".
Within the framework of the event, a candlelight vigil to pray for world peace was also held at Tay Bo Da Son Square. Thousands of candles were lit by monks and Buddhists from all over the world, spreading the light of wisdom and compassion in the sacred space.
"This was the first time I was able to light candles at the foot of the Guanyin statue with international friends. That moment was quiet and warm, as if the whole world was praying for a good thing," said Nguyen Thi Thu Hoa, a Buddhist participant.
Ba Den Mountain is a prominent pilgrimage site in the eyes of international friends (Photo: Organizing Committee).
Not only a place to hold ceremonies, Ba Den Mountain is becoming a new symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism in the eyes of international friends. Venerable Dhammaratana acknowledged: "Vietnam is a country with a long-standing Buddhist tradition, religious freedom, and a supportive government. I believe Vietnam will soon become a world Buddhist destination, with Ba Den Mountain being a prominent pilgrimage site."
Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu - Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - affirmed: "From such a large plain, there is a mountain that is cool all year round, with systematic spiritual investment. After Vesak 2025, surely many international tourists will know Ba Den Mountain as a pilgrimage destination not to be missed".
Held from May 6 to May 8, the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 is one of the important international cultural events to honor humanistic values and global peace. The Buddha's relics will be enshrined at the Buddhist Exhibition Center, Ba Den Mountain from May 8 to May 13 for Buddhists and the public to worship and pay homage to the world's Buddhist treasures.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/nui-ba-den-diem-den-phat-giao-cua-the-gioi-20250513082920065.htm
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