Many historical events will be held at Ba Den Mountain during the 2025 Vesak festival

A series of major spiritual rituals will be organized by the International Organizing Committee for the United Nations Day of Vesak (ICDV) and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, aiming at the theme of the Festival - "Harmony and Inclusion for Human Dignity: Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development".

Procession of Buddha's Relics from the National Museum of India

For the first time in history, the national treasure of India will be brought to Ba Den Mountain for Buddhists and tourists to worship. This is a relic in a container discovered by British archaeologist William Claxon Peppé in 1898 from the foundation of a ruin in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh state. After deciphering the characters on the lid of the jar, people determined that this is the original relic of Buddha. The discovery of the Piprahwa relic jar created a major turning point in the history of Buddhism when it proved that Buddha Shakyamuni was a real historical figure, something that people had previously doubted and denied.

In 1997, Thai Buddhism created and donated a gold-plated stupa with the top of the stupa containing 109 grams of real gold to enshrine this relic. For centuries, the Buddha's relics have been considered a precious treasure of humanity, and international delegations have come to worship, meditate, and recite Buddha's name.

The Buddha's relics will be brought to Ba Den Mountain with solemn ceremonies by thousands of high-ranking Buddhist dignitaries of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, international Buddhist delegations, government representatives and delegates of the 2025 Vesak Festival. On the highest mountain in the South, the Buddha's relics will be enshrined at the Buddhist Exhibition Center from May 8-13, 2025 for Buddhists and the public to worship, pay homage to the world's Buddhist treasures and receive the Buddha's grace.

The procession of Sarira from the National Museum of New Delhi, India - the cradle of Buddhism - to Vietnam is not only a major religious event but also a great blessing for Buddhists and tourists to sow seeds of goodness, pray for national peace, world peace, and happiness for all beings.

Ceremony of planting 108 Bodhi trees

Following the procession of the Sarira, the planting ceremony of 108 Bodhi trees will be held at the Bodhi Garden on the top of Ba Den Mountain by eminent monks and leaders of Buddhist delegations from 80 countries around the world. This is a special Bodhi Garden never seen before in Vietnam, as each tree will bear the name of a country as an eternal presence and mark of the Vesak 2025 Festival at Ba Den Mountain.

In Buddhist culture, it was under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, that Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment and became Buddha. Therefore, the Bodhi tree has an extremely sacred position, as a symbol of enlightenment, wisdom, peace and protection.

The number 108 is also a sacred number in Buddhism, symbolizing the 108 human afflictions, and the practice of the Dharma to overcome the 108 afflictions to reach the shore of peace. The planting of 108 Bodhi trees at Ba Den Mountain has a profound meaning of sowing the seeds of enlightenment, nurturing compassion and wisdom, so that Buddhists and visitors can find peace and serenity right on the top of the sacred mountain.

The Bodhi Garden on Ba Den Mountain will be a destination symbolizing enlightenment and harmony, a symbol of world peace and sustainable development preserved on the highest mountain in the South. The Bodhi Garden is also a place where visitors can meditate, contemplate Buddhist teachings and find peace of mind.

Candlelight vigil for world peace

On the evening of May 8, 2025, the Great Candle Lighting Ceremony to Pray for World Peace will be solemnly held at the large Tay Bo Da Son Square on the top of Ba Den Mountain. The ceremony is an opportunity for eminent monks and religious dignitaries from all over the world to light candles symbolizing the light of wisdom and compassion and pray for a peaceful and happy world.

Each candle lit is a sincere prayer for world peace, for the end of war, conflict, poverty and suffering; for all beings to live in peace, happiness and love.

In the sacred space of the sacred mountain, combined with the magical light of thousands of candles and warm prayers, will create a strong resonant energy, spreading the message of peace, solidarity and love. This is not only a religious ceremony but also a cultural event with deep humanity, expressing the desire for peace of the Vietnamese people and Buddhists around the world.

The series of special spiritual events taking place on May 8, 2025 at Ba Den Mountain not only makes Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh a pilgrimage destination for the world, but also contributes to spreading the image of the country and people of Vietnam who love peace.

Anh Van

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/nhieu-su-kien-lich-su-se-duoc-to-chuc-tai-nui-ba-den-trong-dai-le-vesak-2025-post544726.html