From the heart of monk Thich Quang Duc
The Supreme Patriarch Thich Tri Quang was a witness when Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc burned himself to death in 1963. The Supreme Patriarch recounted: "I saw him step by step getting out of the car, sitting down in the middle of the intersection and lighting the fire himself because at that time the lighter in his pocket was wet with gasoline so it wouldn't light. He looked over at the monks, Venerable Duc Nghiep threw the lighter to him, he smiled and lit the lighter. Everyone saw him sitting in the fire but calmly until the fire died out."
The story of Buddhism and the relics of the monk Thich Quang Duc has moved many people. When the monk's heart relic was recently placed at the Vietnam National Pagoda, the number of people coming to pay homage was estimated to be up to 60,000 per day. The relics were then placed in this pagoda.
Also during this Vesak festival, the Buddha's relics from India attracted a huge number of pilgrims during the time they were enshrined at the following locations: Thanh Tam Pagoda (HCMC), Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh), Quan Su Pagoda ( Hanoi ), Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam), Phuc Son Pagoda (Bac Giang) and Truc Lam Yen Tu Palace (Quang Ninh).
Heart relics of monk Thich Quang Duc
PHOTO: DANG HUY
National treasure statue of Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong
PHOTO: QUANG NINH MUSEUM
Thus, it can be seen that the love for Buddhism, patriotism, and the connection between religion and life of the people are very great. Therefore, a question arises as to why the relics found right on the land of Vietnam, such as the relics of Emperor Tran Nhan Tong or the Buddha relics found in Nhan tower ( Nghe An ), have not yet had as great an attraction as the recent relic worshiping trips, while the relics in this country all have their own very attractive cultural and historical stories?
Dr. Nguyen Van Anh (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi) said that currently, to worship the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni, people and Buddhists can go to Nghe An Museum, which is currently preserving and conserving the relics of Buddha discovered at Nhan Tower (Nam Dan). People can also go to Ngoa Van to worship the relics of Buddha King Tran Nhan Tong; or go to Pho Minh Pagoda, where the relics of Buddha King are enshrined on the 11th floor of the Tran Dynasty tower. Notably, at Ngoa Van, the national treasure of Buddha King is also enshrined at Hue Quang Tower.
Paying the price for domestic relics
Regarding whether or not we should promote the values of domestic relics, Dr. Nguyen Van Anh said: "It is not quite right to say that we should promote them, let's just give them back their value. If people do not know about the value of domestic relics, then tell them. Whether or not to believe them is up to each person."
The relics of King Tran Nhan Tong tell the story of the development of Truc Lam Buddhism - an organization that, according to Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, is "the first religious organization in the history of Buddhism in our country". Truc Lam Buddhism itself is also a symbol of Vietnamese spiritual values.
Meanwhile, the relics of Buddha Sakyamuni in Nghe An Museum show the historical story of Buddhism, according to which the Sui Dynasty distributed the relics of Buddha to affirm its position. The story of Nhan Tower relics can also be placed in correlation with the story of the national treasure relic stele in Bac Ninh. According to Dr. Pham Le Huy (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi), this relic stele is "the oldest preserved stele in Vietnam".
Regarding telling stories about relics in the country so that the value of relics and Buddhist values can be spread, Dr. Pham Van Tuan, Institute of Han Nom Studies, said that it is necessary to focus on spreading that. According to Dr. Tuan: "First, the government must create conditions to introduce, promote, hold exhibitions or discussions about relics along with history and culture depending on the level. That is the scientific aspect. From there, there will be discussions to influence society so that the public can better understand both relics and the history of Vietnamese Buddhism. Second, the Church should also be more proactive, working with the government or organizing talks, discussions, and pilgrimages to introduce typical cultural values. This is not superstition but an introduction to culture. Introducing the Buddha King's relics is also to introduce a Buddhist ideology that has existed for many years."
Dr. Pham Van Tuan also said that besides talking about the relic boxes, there could be more talks about the Bodhisattva's physical body. "We could talk about the Bodhisattva's physical body, or the physical body of Zen master Nhu Tri (who continued the spirit of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen lineage, then entered a seclusion and left behind a physical body - PV )".
According to Dr. Tuan, there may be artifacts or the physical bodies of Zen masters that cannot be taken away, but can be replaced by video projections or large photos. "Stories in scriptures about relics in Vietnam can all be told. That is also something that when looking at East Asian countries in particular and other countries in general, they are actively doing. In Vietnam, if done, it is not difficult," said Dr. Tuan.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xa-loi-cua-nhung-vi-phat-trong-nuoc-o-dau-de-xa-loi-ke-chuyen-185250609220426355.htm
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