Holy relics of Lord Buddha from Sarnath arrive in Vietnam for UN Vesak Day celebrations
Ho Chi Minh: In a profound gesture of peace and spiritual unity, the sacred Buddha Relic from Sarnath arrived in Vietnam on Friday for public exposition coinciding with the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025.
The relic, escorted with reverence by a high-level Indian delegation led by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, was ceremonially received at the Vietnam Buddhist University, where a solemn ceremony took place before a grand procession carried it to Thanh Tam Pagoda for public veneration.
The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) announced the relic's arrival on X, stating, "The Holy Buddha Relic from India arrived in Vietnam, was taken to the Buddha Hall at the Vietnam Buddhist University for a sacred ceremony and then brought through a grand procession to Thanh Tam Pagoda, where the Public Exposition of the Sacred Relic will take place."
The Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City echoed the sentiment, noting, "The sacred Buddha's relics from India have arrived in Vietnam, were brought to the Vietnam Buddhist Academy for a solemn ceremony, then carried through a solemn parade to Thanh Tam Pagoda, where the revered relics will be displayed for the public."
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, leading the delegation, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, noting that he was humbled to lead the delegation carrying the "holy relic" to Vietnam, where it would stay till May 21 as part of the UN's Vesak Day celebrations.
"Humbled to lead the delegation carrying the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha to Vietnam, an experience that touches the soul. Joined by Revered Monks, Shri Kandula Durgesh ji, Minister for Tourism, Culture & Cinematography, Andhra Pradesh & officials on this sacred journey of peace, compassion & harmony. The Holy Relics would be in Vietnam from 2 to 21 May 2025 as part of the UN Vesak Day celebrations," Rijiju stated on X.
This Holy Relic of the Buddha is enshrined in Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, Sarnath and was excavated in Nagarjuna Konda, Andhra Pradesh. It is believed to be older than 246 CE.
Speaking on the occasion, Abhijit Halder, Director General of IBC, said, "Vietnam is a country with a majority Buddhist population, and for them, the relics are not just symbols but the Buddha himself. The timing is also significant--it coincides with Vietnam's National Day and the Wesak Day celebrations."
"Very few people realise that Buddhist artefacts from India, dating back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, have counterparts in Vietnam. We are also organising a comparative exhibition to showcase these shared histories," he added.
According to Halder, over three million devotees are expected to pay homage to the relics during the 20-day exhibition in Vietnam. The relics will first be displayed in Ho Chi Minh City from May 2 to 8 and then travel to three other locations until May 21.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
4 hours ago
- Observer
Attacks on Gaza aid sites ‘a war crime', says UN
GENEVA: UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Tuesday that "deadly attacks" on civilians around aid distribution sites in the Gaza Strip constituted "a war crime". Rescuers in the Palestinian territory said Israeli fire targeting civilians near an aid distribution centre in the southern city of Rafah killed 27 people on Tuesday, raising an earlier toll. It came after a similar incident on Sunday when rescuers said 31 people were killed at the same location, witnesses saying they had been on their way to collect aid. "Deadly attacks on distraught civilians trying to access the paltry amounts of food aid in Gaza are unconscionable," Turk said in a statement. "For a third day running, people were killed around an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. This morning, we have received information that dozens more people were killed and injured." The US-backed GHF is a recently formed group that Israel has cooperated with to implement a new aid distribution mechanism in Gaza. The United Nations does not work with the foundation because of concerns that it does not meet core humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. Turk called for a prompt and impartial investigation into each attack, and for those responsible to be held to account. "Attacks directed against civilians constitute a grave breach of international law, and a war crime," he said. "Palestinians have been presented the grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food that is being made available through Israel's militarised humanitarian assistance mechanism. "This militarised system endangers lives and violates international standards on aid distribution, as the United Nations has repeatedly warned." Tuesday's shooting in the southern city of Rafah came as the agency reported 19 people killed in other Israeli attacks in the territory, and as the Israeli army announced three soldiers had been killed in northern Gaza. "Twenty-seven people were killed and more than 90 injured in the massacre targeting civilians who were waiting for American aid in the Al-Alam area of Rafah," said civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal, who earlier said that the deaths occurred "when Israeli forces opened fire with tanks and drones". The Al Alam roundabout is about a kilometre (a little over half a mile) from a centre run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Rania al Astal, 30, said she had gone to the area with her husband to try to get food. "The shooting began intermittently around 5:00 am. Every time people approached Al Alam roundabout, they were fired upon," she said. "But people didn't care and rushed forward all at once — that's when the army began firing heavily." UN chief Antonio Guterres urged an independent investigation into that shooting, calling it "unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food". Israel has come under mounting pressure to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where people are facing severe shortages after Israel imposed a more than two-month blockade on supplies. The blockade was recently eased, but the aid community has urged Israel to allow in more food, faster. The US-backed GHF has opened a handful of aid distribution centres in southern and central Gaza, and says it has distributed more than seven million meals' worth of food. Israel has stepped up its offensive in what it says is a renewed push to defeat Hamas, whose October 2023 attack on Israel sparked the war. The Israeli army said three of its soldiers had been killed in combat in northern Gaza, bringing the number of Israeli troops killed in the territory since the start of the conflict to 424. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says at least 4,240 people have been killed in the territory since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,510,mostly civilians. — AFP
Observer
5 hours ago
- Observer
Oman-Italy relations based on mutual respect, vision for peace
The Sultanate of Oman and Italy enjoy a long-standing relationship rooted in mutual respect and a common vision for peace, cultural exchange and sustainable development since pre-historic times, according to Pierluigi D'Elia, Ambassador of Italy to the Sultanate of Oman. Speaking to the media at the Italian National Day in Muscat, named 'A Night of Culture, Friendship and Diplomacy' held under the auspices of Khalid bin Hashil al Muselhi, Under-Secretary of the Foreign Ministry for Administrative and Financial Affairs, at the Grand Hyatt Muscat Hotel, the ambassador emphasised the deep historical ties and shared values between the two nations. 'This event is not only a celebration of the Italian Republic but also of the enduring friendship between our peoples,' said the ambassador. The event brought together distinguished guests from Omani government institutions, diplomatic corps, business and cultural communities, as well as Italian citizens residing in Oman. The reception was a tribute to the strong and growing bonds of friendship and cooperation between Italy and Oman. He further said that Italy's National Day celebration in Muscat marks a symbolic reaffirmation of Italy's commitment to its international partnerships, particularly with Oman, to tackle common challenges and promote peace and stability. "The Embassy of Italy extends its gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the celebration, including its partners - The Foreign Ministry of the Sultanate of Oman, Eurotec, Yenaier by Adante Realty, Scalinatella, Oman Air, Monte delle Vigne, Avicen, Renardet, I Veri Sapori Dell'Etna, Terre Di Shemir, CESI, Al Rofoof Hotel Supplies & Trading (Illy Café), Idea Hub, The Italian Trade Agency, and The Grand Hyatt Muscat Hotel, whose valuable support and collaboration contributed to the success of this year's celebration," he said.
Muscat Daily
6 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Good news expected soon on India-Oman FTA: Minister
Muscat – India and Oman are close to finalising a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with some 'good news' expected very soon regarding the signing of the deal, according to India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. As reported by several Indian media outlets on Monday, Goyal stated that negotiations between India and Oman on the proposed free trade agreement are progressing towards a conclusion. The talks gained renewed momentum following Goyal's visit to Muscat in January this year. The negotiations for the agreement, officially known as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), formally commenced in November 2023. 'I think you will see some good news very soon on the Oman FTA,' Goyal told reporters during his official visit to France, when asked whether the agreement could be concluded this year, according to PTI. Goyal was in France to hold discussions with French leaders and businesses aimed at enhancing trade and investment ties. He was also scheduled to attend a mini-ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Tuesday. Oman is India's third-largest export destination among the GCC countries. India already has a similar agreement in place with another GCC member, the United Arab Emirates, which came into effect in May 2022. India's key imports from Oman include petroleum products and urea, which together account for over 70% of total imports. Other significant imports from Oman comprise polymers of propylene and ethylene, petcoke, gypsum, chemicals, and iron and steel. Speaking about such FTAs, Goyal remarked that these agreements not only promote trade in goods and services, but also strengthen supply chains and instill confidence among businesses on both sides through stable policies and predictability, according to the PTI report. 'So, in a way, it's a big message when you conclude an FTA,' he added.
