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New Indian Express
03-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Buddha's relics enshrined at Vietnam university
VIJAYAWADA: In a significant event aimed at strengthening spiritual and cultural ties between India and Vietnam, the sacred relics of Lord Buddha were ceremonially enshrined at Vietnam Buddhist University on Friday. The relics will be on public display in Ho Chi Minh City till May 6. The event was led by Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism Kandula Durgesh. Speaking about the spiritual journey, Durgesh expressed deep pride and reverence. 'I feel honoured to be a part of this holy mission. Bringing the relics of Lord Buddha to Vietnam has been a spiritually fulfilling experience. This exhibition stands as a testament to India's enduring legacy of peace, tolerance, and civilisational wisdom,' he said. Rijiju explained the cultural diplomacy underpinning the event, highlighting the shared heritage and spiritual bonds between the two nations. The event is expected to draw thousands of devotees, and further cement India's role in promoting global Buddhist outreach.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- The Hindu
A.P. Minister Kandula Durgesh takes part in ceremonial enshrinement of Buddha's relics in Vietnam
VIJAYAWADA Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism and Culture Kandula Durgesh, along with the Union Minister of Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, revered monks and senior officials from India, took part in the ceremonial enshrinement of Lord Buddha's relics at Vietnam Buddhist University, on Friday. The team accompanied the sacred relics which were transported to Vietnam by a special aircraft. In a statement released on Friday, Mr. Durgesh said it was a great honour to be part of this sacred mission. He said the celebration was aimed at strengthening the spiritual harmony and deep cultural ties between India and Vietnam. At the Indian Air Force Station in New Delhi on Thursday night, a farewell was given to the holy relics, which were secured from various parts of India. Amid tight security, the relics were placed in a sacred casket and boarded onto a special Indian Air Force Hercules aircraft. The holy relics from India were ceremoniously enshrined in the Buddha Hall of the Vietnam Buddhist University on Friday morning. The exhibition of Lord Buddha's sacred relics, taking place from May 1 to May 6 in Vietnam, stands as a lasting testament to Indian civilization and its heritage of peace and tolerance, said the statement, adding that the relics will be displayed for public veneration as part of a Buddhist religious programme in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Times of Oman
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
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.
Hans India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Buddha's sacred relics from India arrive in Vietnam
Hanoi: The sacred relics of Buddha from India arrived in Vietnam on Friday. They were brought to the Vietnam Buddhist University for a special ceremony and then carried in a grand procession to Thanh Tam Pagoda, where the public exposition of the relics will take place. Earlier in the day, Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Minority Affairs, took to social media and expressed gratitude for leading the delegation carrying the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha to Vietnam, stating it as an experience that touches the soul. 'Humbled to lead the delegation carrying the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha to Vietnam, an experience that touches the soul. Joined by Revered Monks, 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 posted on X. 'Paid my heartfelt respects before embarking on a deeply spiritual journey to Vietnam, accompanying the sacred Holy Relics of Lord Buddha. Carrying with us His timeless message of peace, compassion and unity,' he said in another post. Earlier on Wednesday, a large gathering of monks, bhikkhunis, diplomats, and the Sangha offered chanting and special prayers to the Holy Buddha Relic at a protected enclosure of the National Museum, New Delhi. The sacred Relic arrived earlier from Sarnath en route to Vietnam. The Ambassador of Vietnam to India, Nguyen Thanh Hai, as also the Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Priyanga Wickramasinghe joined the prayers. The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), is holding for the first time an exposition of the Sacred Buddha Relic in four cities of Vietnam to coincide with the celebrations for the UN Vesak Day. This Holy Relic of the Buddha is enshrined in Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, Sarnath, and was excavated in Nagarjuna Konda, Andhra Pradesh. It is believed to be older than 246 CE. India and Vietnam share age-old cultural and civilisational links with regular exchanges. Buddhist links between the two countries represent civilisational connections dating back millennia. Numerous Buddhist scholars and pilgrims travel to India regularly, including the Vietnamese Buddhist pagoda in Bodhgaya.
