Indian Prime Minister: Initiative to share Buddha's relics with Vietnam creates cultural phenomenon

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that the initiative to share the sacred relics of Buddha with Vietnam has created a cultural and spiritual phenomenon, with more than 15 million people coming to worship the relics at nine different locations across Vietnam.

Thousands of people and Buddhists attended the procession of Sakyamuni Buddha's relics to Tam Chuc Pagoda on the morning of May 17, 2025. Photo: Dai Nghia/VNA

A VNA correspondent in New Delhi said that in episode 123 of the Mann Ki Baat radio program, Prime Minister Modi said: “You can imagine that in Vietnam, which has a population of about 100 million people, more than 15 million people have paid homage to the relics of the Buddha. The images and videos that I saw on social media made me realize that the devotion is limitless. Be it rain or shine, children, the elderly, the disabled… everyone lined up for hours to pay their respects. The sense of respect that the people there felt for this pilgrimage was so profound that the Vietnamese government requested an extension of the enshrinement of the Buddha’s relics for another 12 days and India happily agreed.”

According to Prime Minister Modi, the event has evolved into a festival in Vietnam, highlighting the profound influence of India’s cultural heritage on the international stage. The sharing of Buddha’s relics with Vietnam has highlighted the deep cultural and spiritual connection between the two countries, promoting greater understanding of Indian heritage.

The Indian Prime Minister also encouraged Indians to visit Buddhist sites in their states, highlighting the spiritual and cultural enrichment such visits can bring. Sharing relics of the Buddha with countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Mongolia has demonstrated the power of Buddhism to bridge cultures and nations.

Ngoc Thuy (Vietnam News Agency)

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/thu-tuong-an-do-sang-kien-chia-se-xa-loi-duc-phat-voi-viet-nam-tao-nen-hien-tuong-van-hoa-20250702061759172.htm