Hanoi, May 23
The Holy Buddha Relics sent from India were enshrined at an ancient Buddhist temple Phuc Son pagoda in Bac Giang Province of Vietnam, on Friday. The relics were received with deep reverence and warmth by the local people, province officials, and monks.
"Thousands of people in Bac Giang gathered in a solemn procession to escort the sacred Holy Sarnath Relics of the Buddha to Phuc Son Pagoda, Vietnam -- an expression of deep reverence for the compassionate father, Shakyamuni Buddha," the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) posted on X.
Responding to a formal request from the Vietnamese government after receiving a recommendation from the Committee for Ethnic and Religious Affairs, the Government of India has decided to extend the enshrinement of sacred relics of the Buddha in Vietnam beyond May 21, Vietnamese local media reported on Friday.
Reports highlighted that the relics, which were supposed to return to India on Friday, will now remain in Vietnam until June 2 as a result of a direct appeal by the Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh ChÃnh to his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasising the deep cultural and religious significance they hold for the Vietnamese Buddhists.
On Wednesday, the sacred relics of Lord Buddha were enshrined at the famous Buddhist temple of Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh province of Vietnam. A large number of devotees, including provincial leaders, welcomed the relics as monks from India and Vietnam chanted traditional prayers.
"Beautiful moments at the exposition of the Holy Sarnath Relics of the Buddha at Bai Dinh Pagoda, Vietnam. From the elderly to young children, everyone eagerly gathered to pay their respects and witness the Sacred relics of the Buddha with their own eyes. Equally moving was the presence of dedicated volunteers, service teams, security personnel, and food providers--always ready to assist, ensuring a smooth and respectful experience for all devotees," the IBC stated.
Thousands of people had also paid their respects at the exposition of the relics in Tam Chuc Pagoda.
The holy relics were brought from India on May 2 by an Indian delegation led by Union Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju which also included Andhra Pradesh Minister Kandula Durgesh and senior monks and officials.
The holy relics, brought to Vietnam as part of the UN Day of Vesak celebrations were earlier displayed at Thanh Tam Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, then in Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh province, Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi, Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam, and Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh province of Vietnam
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is such a proud moment for India-Vietnam relations! Our shared Buddhist heritage is strengthening cultural ties. 🙠The way Vietnamese people are revering these relics shows how much they value our ancient connections. More such exchanges should happen!
While I appreciate the cultural exchange, I hope our government is equally focused on preserving Buddhist heritage sites within India. Many ancient stupas and monasteries in Bihar and UP need urgent attention. International cooperation is good, but domestic preservation is equally important.
Vietnam has always been a true friend of India. Their respect for our shared spiritual heritage warms my heart. This is soft power diplomacy at its best! 🇮🇳ðŸ¤ðŸ‡»ðŸ‡³ The extension of relics' stay shows how much this means to Vietnamese people. Jai Buddha, Jai Bharat!
The pictures of elderly and children paying respects are so touching! Buddhism truly unites people across borders. Maybe next time we can organize a similar exhibition in India's northeastern states which have strong Buddhist populations too.
Great initiative, but I hope proper security measures are in place. These relics are priceless parts of our heritage. The government should ensure they're protected at all times during their stay abroad. Safety first, even in friendly countries!
As someone who's visited Vietnam, I can say their respect for Buddhism is genuine and deep. This cultural exchange is beautiful, but I wish our media gave it more coverage instead of just focusing on politics. These are the stories that truly connect people.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.