Speaking at the meeting, Minister Kiren Rijiju highlighted the profound significance of this historic visit—the first time Buddha's sacred relics have been invited for enshrinement across multiple localities in Viet Nam. The event coincided with two momentous occasions: the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day, as well as the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak in HCMC, making it a deeply symbolic and celebratory moment for both spiritual and national unity.
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| The relics of Buddha Shakyamuni were carried from Tan Son Nhat airport to the Viet Nam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Phat Su Online) |
Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed his deep appreciation for the warmth and admiration that the Viet Nam-India Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnamese people have shown toward Mahatma Gandhi and India. He reaffirmed that the enduring bond between India and Viet Nam is rooted in shared ideals championed by two visionary leaders—President Ho Chi Minh and Mahatma Gandhi—who dedicated their lives to the struggles for independence, freedom, and dignity of oppressed peoples.
He emphasized that the invitation of Buddha’s sacred relics to Viet Nam serves as a powerful testament to the profound friendship between the two nations.
Dr. Huynh Thanh Lap, Chairman of the Viet Nam-India Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, reflected on key milestones in the bilateral relationship, highlighting the inauguration of the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in the heart of New Delhi (2022) and the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the center of Ho Chi Minh City (2023). These statues stand not only as tributes to two towering figures in history but also as cultural symbols—living embodiments of the deep-rooted friendship between Viet Nam and India, carefully nurtured by generations of leaders and citizens from both countries.
Relics of Buddha Shakyamuni Arrive in Viet Nam for the First TimeOn the morning of May 2, at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (HCMC), the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha held a solemn ceremony to welcome the sacred relics of Buddha Shakyamuni—India’s national treasure—escorted by Minister Kiren Rijiju aboard an Indian military aircraft. This marks the first time that Buddha Shakyamuni’s relics have been brought from India to be enshrined and venerated in Viet Nam. Following the ceremony at the airport, the relics were respectfully transferred to the Viet Nam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City – Campus 2, the venue for the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak. They were then enshrined at Thanh Tam Pagoda (Binh Chanh District), where Buddhists and the public will have the opportunity to pay their respects from May 3 to 8. On the morning of May 6, a special worship session will be reserved for delegates attending the Vesak celebration. The relics are also expected to be enshrined at several sacred locations across Viet Nam, including the Ba Den Mountain National Tourist Area, Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi—the headquarters of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha—and Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam Province. Viet Nam will host the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival in Ho Chi Minh City from May 6-8 under the theme: "Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development." The event is anticipated to welcome around 1,200 delegates from 85 countries and territories, including numerous state leaders and prominent figures from around the world. |
Source: Vietnamtimes
