Delegation of the International Committee for the United Nations Vesak Celebration (ICDV) and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Association pose for a commemorative photo in front of the statue of the Goddess of Mercy on Tay Bo Da Son mountain on September 28, 2024 (Photo: Hai Trieu).
Why choose Mount Ba Den?
In Buddhist culture, high mountains are considered sacred symbols, associated with legends about the life of the Buddha. In Vietnam, stretching from North to South, there are four mountains known as sacred sites: Fansipan (Lao Cai), Nua Mountain (Thanh Hoa), Da Chong Mountain (Ba Vi, Hanoi ), and Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh).
Mount Ba Den is shimmering and mystical. Photo: Hai Trieu
In the Southeast region, Mount Ba Den, standing majestically at 986m above sea level, is deeply connected to the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people and is strongly influenced by Vietnamese Buddhist culture.
Ba Den Mountain, known as the "foremost heavenly mountain," boasts many magnificent cultural and spiritual landmarks, such as the tallest statue of the Goddess of Mercy in Asia located on its summit, the world's largest sandstone statue of Maitreya Buddha, and gardens with gravel paths and the sound of babbling water, and miniature statues with joyful smiles, creating a sense of peace and tranquility, as if wandering into a fairyland.
Delegation from the International Committee for the United Nations Vesak Celebration (ICDV) and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha visited and discussed the program for the 2025 Vesak celebration on September 28, 2024 (Photo: Hai Trieu).
According to representatives from Sun World Baden Mountain, during a visit to Ba Den Mountain on September 28th for a tour and discussion of the Vesak 2025 program, Venerable Professor Dr. Phra Brahmapundit - Chairman of ICDV - remarked that Ba Den Mountain is a precious gem, the main highlight of the entire Vesak 2025 event. Venerable Phra Brahmapundit stated that this is a very rare place in the world where a perfect combination of the spiritual and physical worlds can be found.
“Most tourist attractions are generally amusement parks or places dedicated to spiritual life. Mount Ba Den is different; it’s a place to worship Buddha and nurture your spiritual life. But this journey is anything but boring, with its serene and beautiful scenery to soothe the soul,” said Venerable Phra Brahmapundit.
Permanent Vice Chairman of the Tay Ninh Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Thanh welcomed the ICDV delegation at the summit of Ba Den Mountain.
Venerable Tampalawela Dhammaratana, PhD, Vice President of ICDV, believes that Mount Ba Den evokes images of mountains that are symbols of Buddhism around the world, associated with stories about the life and journey of the Buddha in spreading his teachings.
“When I saw the majestic statue of the Goddess of Mercy standing atop Ba Den Mountain, I felt the Bodhisattva's blessings radiating from this place to the entire country, to everyone, not only Vietnamese people, but also people from other Asian countries. This is a miraculous place, a truly beautiful place. For me, it is not just a spiritual destination, but a cultural center, a sacred place to come to for healing and to feel the blessings of the Buddha,” shared Venerable Tampalawela Dhammaratana.
Mount Ba Den is known as one of the oldest and most important spiritual destinations in Southern Vietnam.
In addition, sustainable development aimed at protecting the natural environment of Ba Den Mountain was of particular interest to the ICDV delegates.
Over 1,000 delegates from 80 countries visited Ba Den Mountain.
To prepare for this important event, Ms. Nguyen Lam Nhi Thuy - General Director of Tay Ninh Sun World Joint Stock Company, said that Sun World Ba Den Mountain has been coordinating with the Vietnam Buddhist Association to plan the reception of thousands of delegates from 80 countries. They will be present at Ba Den Mountain and visit Buddhist structures on May 9, 2025. It is expected that on this day, many meaningful activities celebrating the Buddha's Birthday will take place at Ba Den Mountain, such as: the planting of 80 Bodhi trees; the enshrinement of the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha; and the Grand Lantern Offering Ceremony with the participation of more than 1,000 delegates praying for world peace…
“The activities in Tay Ninh are one of the important activities of the Vesak 2025 delegation, aimed at preparing for the biggest Buddhist festival in the world, which will take place from May 6-8, 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City. Ba Den Mountain has been chosen as the location for international delegates and Buddhists to visit and participate in religious and cultural festivals on the final day of the Vesak celebration, May 9,” a representative from Sun World Ba Den Mountain stated.
Ms. Nguyen Lam Nhi Thuy - General Director of Tay Ninh Sun Joint Stock Company, at the reception for the Vesak 2025 delegation on the summit of Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Hai Trieu.
It is expected that thousands of international Buddhists and delegates representing ICDV members from countries such as France, the United States, South Korea, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Thailand will visit and admire the vibrant Buddhist cultural space at Ba Den Mountain during the 2025 Vesak Great Celebration.
Thousands of Buddhists offer lanterns on the summit of Mount Ba Den.
This is the most important festival of world Buddhism. This shows the interest of the international Buddhist community in the traditional values of Vietnamese Buddhism in general, and Mount Ba Den in Tay Ninh - a sacred mountain closely associated with the religious life of the people of Southern Vietnam - in particular.
The 2025 Vesak Celebration marks the fourth time Vietnam has hosted the event, and the first time it has been held in Ho Chi Minh City. The event is even more significant as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's reunification and the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day. The event will be attended by 2,000 official delegates, including 1,000 international guests from 80 countries and territories, including heads of state, leaders of United Nations agencies; leaders of Buddhist churches and sects, scholars, and researchers; and 1,000 domestic guests, including monks and nuns from the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. |
Tam Giang
Source: https://baotayninh.vn/nui-ba-den-duoc-chon-la-diem-den-trong-dai-le-vesak-2025-a186468.html
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