In a historic initiative, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the Maha Bodhi Society of India, is organizing for the first time an exposition of the Sacred Relic of Sakyamuni Buddha in Vietnam. This significant event is part of the grand celebrations of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2569.
The sacred relic, which is permanently enshrined at the Mulagandhakuti Vihara, Sarnath Centre of Maha Bodhi Society of India was ceremonially taken from Sarnath to New Delhi on April 30, 2025. From there, it was flown to Vietnam on May 2, 2025, aboard an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft. The relics were accompanied by the Hon’ble Union Minister of India, Shri Kiren Rijiju; Most Venerable P. Seewalee Thero, General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India; and senior representatives from the International Buddhist Confederation.
The sacred relic will be ceremoniously enshrined, venerated, and worshipped at the following important sites across Vietnam:
Hạnh Tâm Monastery, Ho Chi Minh City (May 2–8, 2025)
Coinciding with the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025, this is the inaugural site for the exposition.
Bà Đen Mountain, Tây Ninh Province (May 9–13, 2025)
A renowned national spiritual pilgrimage site in Southern Vietnam.
Quán Sứ Monastery, Hanoi (May 14–18, 2025)
Headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, marking a central point for Buddhist activities in the country.
Tam Chúc Monastery, Hà Nam Province (May 18–21, 2025)
The largest Buddhist centre in Southeast Asia, and the final venue of the exposition.
The sacred exposition coincides with the United Nations (UN) Day of Vesak 2025 as it is being celebrated in Vietnam, offering a profound opportunity for not only the Vietnamese people to receive blessings from the Holy Relic, but also for international delegates from over 100 countries and regions attending the Vesak Day celebrations.
The United Nations Day of Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana (passing away) of Lord Buddha. Since the UN General Assembly passed the resolution on December 15, 1999, Vesak has been celebrated internationally each year. The first celebration of the International Day of Vesak at the United Nations Headquarters in New York took place in 2000, inspiring global observances by Buddhist communities worldwide.
