Holy Relics of Lord Buddha arrive in Viet Nam
Holy Relics of Lord Buddha, accompanied by the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs of India, H.E. Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Tourism and Culture of the Government of Andhra Pradesh H.E. Kandula Durgesh, revered monks and senior officials from India arrived in Ho Chi Minh City today morning by a special Indian aircraft. The visit is taking place in the context of the United Nations (UN) Day of Vesak celebrations being hosted by Vietnam from 6-8 May 2025.
The Holy Relics and the Minister were received by H.E. Dao Ngoc Dung, Minister of Religious and Ethnic Affairs of Vietnam, H.E. Duong Ngoc Hai, Standing Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Supreme Patriarch of Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha His Holiness Thích Trí Quảng and venerable monks of Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha. Special ceremonial prayers were held at the airport on arrival followed by prayers led by the Supreme Patriarch of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the enshrinement of the Holy Relics at Thanh Tam Monastery, Ho Chi Minh City. On the occasion, a sapling of the Sacred Bodhi tree bought from India was planted by the visiting Minister from India and the Supreme Patriarch of Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha at the Buddhist University, Ho Chi Minh City. The Holy Relics will be at the Thanh Tam Monastery from 2-7 May 2025 followed by their exposition at Tay Ninh, Ha Noi and Ha Nam provinces till 21 May 2025.
The Holy Relics of Lord Buddha have travelled from the Sacred site of Sarnath, the venue of the first sermon by Lord Buddha. The Relics have been provided through the Mahabodhi Society of India and the National Museum of the Government of India with the support of the International Buddha Confederation. The Holy Relics hold special significance for the Buddhist Community around the world and are visiting Viet Nam for the first time. The Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha with the kind cooperation of the Government of Viet Nam have extended local support for the Holy Relics in Viet Nam as per mutual arrangements between the two countries.
In the context of the UN Day of Vesak and deep connections between India and Viet Nam, a specially curated exhibition about historical linkage relating to Buddhist spiritual beliefs and arts and culture dating back about two millennia will also be displayed during the UN Day of Vesak at Viet Nam Buddhist University, Ho Chi Minh City. Further, an Indian cultural group will travel from India to present a special dance-drama “The Journey of Gautama Buddha” representing the life and messages of Shakyamuni Buddha in Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Ha Noi and other locations between 5-13 May 2025.
We treasure the strong bonds between the people of India and Viet Nam and wish that the visit of Holy Relics to Viet Nam and other related activities will further deepen these close ties between India and Viet Nam.
Hanoi
2 May 2025
