Relics of Buddha Shakyamuni leave Vietnam

Da Nang City leaders and representatives of the Buddhist Sangha carry the relics from the main hall of Quan The Am Pagoda to the car to move to Da Nang International Airport. Photo: Nguyen Dong — Da Nang City leaders and representatives of the Buddhist Sangha carried the relics from the main hall of Quan The Am Pagoda to the car to move to Da Nang International Airport.

Earlier at noon the same day, at the main hall of Quan The Am Pagoda (at the foot of Kim Son Mountain, Ngu Hanh Son District), the final worship ceremony was held with the presence of representatives of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the Buddhist Sangha of Da Nang City and leaders of the City People's Committee.

At exactly 3 p.m., the relics were brought from the main hall to the yard amid the solemn chanting and the reverence of more than 1,000 Buddhists standing with their hands clasped in worship. Afterwards, the relics were placed on a flower car decorated with a Buddha statue and lotus flowers, and moved to Da Nang International Airport. The procession consisted of about 20-25 7-seat cars carrying the monks, each car with a statue of the Buddha's birth on the roof, following the route Su Van Hanh - Le Van Hien - Tien Son bridge - 2/9 street - Nguyen Van Linh - airport.

At 4 p.m., the special plane carrying the relics took off, bringing the treasure back to India after a month of enshrinement in Vietnam.

The relics were carefully moved into the car by the procession. Photo: Nguyen Dong — The relics were carefully moved into the car by the procession.

The relics of Buddha Shakyamuni are kept at the National Museum in New Delhi (India) and are considered one of the most sacred treasures of Buddhism. On the occasion of the 2025 Vesak Festival hosted by Vietnam, the Indian Government has for the first time allowed the relics to be brought abroad for worship by the people. The journey began on May 2, when the plane carrying the relics arrived in Ho Chi Minh City and was worshiped at Thanh Tam Pagoda, then taken to Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh), Quan Su Pagoda ( Hanoi ) and Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam).

After the Indian Government agreed to extend the enshrinement period, the relics continued to be carried through 5 locations in 5 provinces and cities: Bai Dinh Pagoda (Ninh Binh, May 21-22), Phuc Son Pagoda ( Bac Giang , May 22-24), Truc Lam Yen Tu Palace (Quang Ninh, May 25-28), Chuong Pagoda (Hung Yen, May 28-29) and ended at Quan The Am Pagoda, Da Nang City (May 30 - June 2).

People clasp their hands and recite Buddha's name as the relics pass by. Photo: Nguyen Dong — People clasped their hands and chanted Buddha's name as the relics passed by.

During the four days that the Buddha's relics were enshrined at Quan The Am Pagoda, millions of people, monks, Buddhists and tourists lined up from early morning until late at night to pay their respects and pray. Many tourists staying in Da Nang during this time to attend the International Fireworks Festival also took the opportunity to visit the pagoda.

Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Le Trung Chinh said that in just 4 days, the Buddha's relics - a sacred treasure of India - attracted about 2 million people to worship at Quan The Am Pagoda, contributing to spreading the profound cultural, spiritual and humanistic values of Buddhism in modern social life.

VN (according to VnExpress)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/xa-loi-duc-phat-thich-ca-mau-ni-roi-viet-nam-413048.html