Delhi, May 2: Holy Relics of Lord Buddha, accompanied by Union Minister of Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Tourism and Culture of Andhra Pradesh 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 Dao Ngoc Dung, Minister of Religious and Ethnic Affairs of Vietnam, Duong Ngoc Hai, Standing Vice-Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Supreme Patriarch of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thích Trí Quảng and venerable monks of Vietnam 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 brought from India was planted by the visiting Minister from India and the Supreme Patriarch of Vietnam 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 Vietnam for the first time. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha with the kind cooperation of the Government of Vietnam has extended local support for the Holy Relics in Vietnam as per mutual arrangements between the two countries.
In the context of the UN Day of Vesak and deep connections between India and Vietnam, 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 Vietnam 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.
India treasures the strong bonds between the people of India and Vietnam and wish that the visit of Holy Relics to Vietnam and other related activities will further deepen these close ties between India and Vietnam.
