Hanoi (VNA) – The reverence shown by Vietnamese people towards Lord Buddha’s relics reflects a profound religious, spiritual, and cultural affinity between Vietnam and India, stated Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya.
Speaking to VietnamPlus on May 15, the Indian ambassador expressed his deep emotion upon witnessing tens of thousands of people and Buddhist followers queue to pay homage to the sacred sarira of Lord Buddha, a national treasure of India, brought to Vietnam on the occasion of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025.
Mystery of Lord Buddha’s relics
According to Ambassador Sandeep Arya, the Buddha sarira is preserved at Mūlagandhakuti Vihāra Monastery. The site is located in the holy land of Ishipatana Migadaya, Sarnath, India, a site of eternal sacredness for Buddhists, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, marking the beginning of Buddhism’s development in India.
Every November, the monastery celebrates its anniversary, opening the relics for public veneration. Thousands of people from various countries make their way to Sarnath, turning the monastery into a gathering place for peace-loving individuals from around the world.
The relics are kept in a silver casket discovered in 1929 by A.H. Longhurst, then Director of the Archaeological Survey of India’s Southern Circle. It was found in a large stupa in Nagarjunakonda, Palnad Taluk, Guntur district, under the jurisdiction of the then-Governor of Madras. The current casket is a replica of the original, which was found broken. Inscriptions on the stupa where the relic was discovered, along with scientific assessments, confirm the relic’s authenticity as that of the Buddha.
Vietnam and India share a long-standing friendship rooted in mutual respect, nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, and developed by successive generations of leaders and citizens in both countries. The two nations maintain a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and cooperate closely across numerous fields, providing a solid foundation for people-to-people exchanges, cultural interaction, and political trust.
Following extensive discussions between the two governments, the Buddha sarira was flown to Vietnam aboard a special aircraft in celebration of Vietnam hosting the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025.
Between May 2 and 20, the sarira was enshrined at several sacred locations -Thanh Tam Pagoda, located within the Le Minh Xuan campus of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City; Ba Den Mountain National Tourist Area in Tay Ninh province; Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi; and Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam province. At about 12 pm on May 20, the Buddha’s relics will be ceremonially returned to India.
As a national treasure, the transport of the Buddha’s relics to Vietnam has been treated with the solemnity of a head of state visit, he noted.
The relics holds deep spiritual significance for Buddhists worldwide, and this is the first time they have been brought to Vietnam. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, with strong support from the Vietnamese Government, has closely coordinated all activities related to the relics in accordance with the bilateral agreement, the ambassador noted
According to preliminary estimates, around 1.8 million people have venerated the Buddha sarira in Ho Chi Minh City, with 125,000 attendees in Tay Ninh alone.
The ambassador expressed his joy and emotion at seeing many senior Vietnamese leaders, such as President Luong Cuong and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, come to pay their respects.
The diplomat said he is moved to see people standing in long queues under the scorching heat to pay their respects to the Buddha’s sarira. Many individuals and organisations volunteered to provide free food and drinks to the public. That is a beautiful gesture, he stated.
Ambassador Sandeep Arya emphasised that the bringing of the relics to Vietnam represents a deep spiritual, religious, and cultural connection between the two peoples, as well as a shared vision in addressing global and bilateral challenges. These include the importance of tolerance, compassion, and peace, he said, adding these messages were at the heart of the recent United Nations Vesak celebrations.
The ambassador also noted India’s satisfaction with Vietnam’s organisation of the events. Despite the overwhelming number of visitors, the atmosphere of reverence, order, and security was well preserved.
Strengthening Vietnam–India cultural exchanges
This year, the Indian Embassy is organising numerous cultural events to enhance friendship with Vietnam.
As part of the recent Vesak celebrations, a thematic exhibition highlighting the historical connection of Buddhist belief, art, and culture spanning over 2,000 years was held at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City.
Additionally, India will continue its heritage conservation projects in Vietnam this year, notably the restoration of Dong Duong Monastery in Quang Nam Province and the refurbishment of Towers E and F in the My Son Sanctuary complex as part of the 2025–2029 restoration phase.
Previously, Indian experts helped restore the A, K, and H tower groups from 2017–2022. These works, praised by both domestic and international experts and visitors, returned the towers to their original form as when first discovered by the French.
Earlier this year, the Indian Film Festival was warmly received by Vietnamese audiences. The event not only gave Vietnamese viewers the chance to enjoy famous Indian films and experience rich cultural values but also contributed to fostering deep friendship and cultural connection between the two nations. Furthermore, the India–Vietnam co-produced film “Love in Vietnam,” which began filming in Da Lat in September 2024, is now in post-production and is expected to premiere in mid-2025, he noted.
Following the success of the previous 10 editions, the 11th International Day of Yoga in 2025 will be held in multiple provinces from May 16 through July.
India treasures its enduring relationship with Vietnamese people and hopes that the sacred journey of the Buddha’s sarira to Vietnam, along with cultural exchange activities, will further deepen the bond between the two countries, the ambassador concluded./.
