Vesak 2025: Origin of Buddha's relics enshrined at Thanh Tam Pagoda for worship

After the opening ceremony of the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni at Thanh Tam Pagoda (Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) on the morning of May 3, people from all over the country flocked to pay their respects. In the past 2 days, there were times when the queue was 3-4 km long, with some people lining up from 2 am to pay their respects to the Buddha relics.

From archaeological excavations

A representative of the National Organizing Committee for the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 said that the Buddha's relics currently enshrined for people to worship at Thanh Tam Pagoda were excavated in Nagarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh state, India, during archaeological excavations led by AH Longhurst from 1927 to 1931.

This relic consists of small bone fragments placed in a golden box, along with golden flowers, pearls and precious stones, all preserved in a silver box.

The Buddha relics currently enshrined at Thanh Tam Pagoda are small pieces of bone excavated in Nagarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh state, India from 1927 - 1931.

PHOTO: GH

After excavation, the relics were presented to the Mahabodhi Society of India on December 27, 1932. The relics were then enshrined at the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara temple in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, a sacred site where the Buddha gave his first sermon.

On April 30, 2025, the relics were invited from Sarnath to the National Museum of India in New Delhi. On May 1, 2025, the Buddha's relics were transported from New Delhi to Ho Chi Minh City by an Indian Air Force military aircraft. Escorting the Buddha's relics from India to Vietnam were Indian Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minorities Kiren Rijiju, Minister for Tourism and Culture of Andha Pradesh - Mr. Kandula Durgesh, along with eminent monks and senior Indian officials.

The relics of Buddha Shakyamuni are being enshrined at Thanh Tam Pagoda for people to worship.

Photo: GH

When the military plane landed at Tan Son Nhat airport, in a solemn and emotional atmosphere, the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, together with Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, other venerable monks and leaders of the two countries ' governments welcomed the relics.

People and Buddhists clasp their hands to worship Buddha's relics.

PHOTO: G

Traveling thousands of kilometers, lining up in the sun to pay homage to the relics of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc

The relics were led by the traffic police in a solemn procession, like leading a delegation of a head of state to Vietnam, through the streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the Vietnam Buddhist Academy. Buddhists lined up to welcome the relics throughout the academy, many burst into tears of emotion - for Buddhists, seeing the Buddha's relics is like seeing him present right in front of them.

On May 2, the Buddha's relics were enshrined at Thanh Tam Pagoda, opening the pilgrimage journey in Vietnam on the occasion of the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival. After that, the relics will be enshrined at Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh) from May 9 to 13, Quan Su Pagoda ( Hanoi ) from May 14 to 18 and Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam) from May 18 to 21.

This journey is not only a major religious event but also a cultural bridge, strengthening the friendly relationship between Vietnam and India, and spreading the Buddha's message of compassion and peace to the international community.

How to identify the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni?

Most Venerable Thich Tri Chon, Deputy Head of the Central Cultural Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said that it is very difficult to identify relics in other places, but the Buddha relics that India agreed to let Vietnam invite on the occasion of the 2025 Vesak festival are India's national treasures.

At the time the relics were found by archaeologists, scientists and medical professionals conducted DNA testing and examination, proving that the relics belonged to the Sakya clan - the Shakya clan, which existed about 2,000 years ago.

For Buddhists, seeing Buddha's relics is like seeing the Buddha coming.

PHOTO: GH

Going back in time, when Buddha Shakyamuni entered nirvana, his disciples performed a cremation ceremony in Kushinagar but many bones and relics remained. The tribes at that time fought over who wanted to worship his relics, but later compromised and decided to divide the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni equally among 8 countries.

Through the ups and downs of history, there was a time when the stupas were destroyed and all of them fell into the Ganges River. Later, scientists excavated them in many different areas. With the inscriptions on the boxes, scientists decoded them, and medicine simultaneously stepped in to determine the DNA to confirm whether they were relics of Buddha Shakyamuni or not.

The representative of the National Organizing Committee of the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival also said that India announced Buddha's relics as a national treasure, so the procedures for bringing Buddha's relics abroad are the same as the procedures for bringing heads of state abroad.

India has visited Vietnam three times to guide Vietnam on security and safety measures, and instructed that the temperature of the room where the relics are kept should not exceed 22 ^degrees Celsius and the humidity should not exceed 55%. At Thanh Tam Pagoda, there are 60 security cameras and two security teams, each in a separate observation room to prevent risks. A safe room is also set up so that in case of an incident, the relics can be brought to the safe room.

For Buddhists, wherever Buddha relics appear, it is as if Buddha is present and present. Therefore, in recent days, Buddhists everywhere have patiently lined up to see them with their own eyes and be close to the compassionate energy of the World-Honored One.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vesak-2025-nguon-goc-xa-loi-phat-duoc-ton-tri-o-chua-thanh-tam-de-chiem-bai-185250505083745339.htm