Buddha's relics will be brought to Vietnam by military plane.

On April 24, a representative of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha informed about the events taking place during the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival.

Accordingly, on May 6-8, 2025, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will host the 2025 United Nations Vesak Celebration, with the main theme: "Solidarity and tolerance for human dignity: Buddhist wisdom for world peace and sustainable development".

1,250 delegates from 85 countries and territories along with 1,500 domestic delegates attended, with 620 presentations in English and 330 presentations in Vietnamese.

The ceremony was held in Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025).

Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice President of the Executive Council and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said that there will be many meaningful activities surrounding the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak.

"This will be an extremely meaningful international cultural diplomacy event of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and our country in 2025," said Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien.

According to the program, Buddha's relics - India's national treasure, will be brought to Ho Chi Minh City by military plane escorted by a minister of this country.

It is expected that the Buddha's relics will arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport on the morning of May 2, and will be enshrined at Thanh Tam Pagoda, Vietnam Buddhist Academy, to be opened at 6:00 a.m. on May 3, serving the people to worship until May 8, then be carried to Ba Den Mountain Tourist Area (Tay Ninh) from May 9-13; at Quan Su Pagoda (Hanoi) from May 14-16, at Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam) from May 17-21, and then return to India.

In particular, for the first time, the heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc will be brought to be enshrined at Vietnam National Temple (District 10, Ho Chi Minh City) for delegates and Buddhists to worship.

The 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival is expected to contribute to promoting tourism development and economic investment in Vietnam and is also an opportunity for Vietnam to become a destination for international tourists from the beautiful image that Vietnam creates through the United Nations' international cultural event.

The United Nations Vesak Festival is considered a very active activity of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in implementing the people's foreign policy. It enhances understanding, exchange, and friendly cooperation between the Vietnamese people and all international friends in the world. Thereby, affirming Vietnam's position and responsibility towards the United Nations, the international community in the region and the world.

The United Nations Day of Vesak is a cultural activity of the United Nations. The 54th session of the United Nations General Assembly on December 15, 1999 decided that Vesak or the Three-Day Festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni is a religious and cultural festival for peace.

Since 2000, the United Nations Vesak Festival has been held 19 times at the United Nations Headquarters and other countries around the world. Of which, Vietnam has successfully hosted and organized 3 United Nations Vesak Festivals in 2008 with 87 countries participating at the My Dinh National Convention Center, Hanoi; in 2014 with 95 countries participating at Bai Dinh Pagoda, Ninh Binh Province; in 2019 with 112 countries participating at Tam Chuc Pagoda, Ha Nam Province.

Nguyen Thu

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/xa-loi-phat-se-duoc-cung-ruoc-sang-viet-nam-bang-chuyen-co-quan-su-post546470.html