Buddha's sacred relics honored in Hanoi

Linh Pham, Photo: Huy Pham

May 14, 2025 / 06:24 AM

The relics will be open for public worship and veneration in Hanoi, one of the four places across Vietnam for veneration.

THE HANOI TIMES — The sacred relics of the Buddha, a revered national treasure of India, have been solemnly enshrined at Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi, the central seat of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. This veneration marks a spiritual highlight of the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations 2025, which were held in Ho Chi Minh City from May 6 to 8.

The veneration of the Buddha's sarira will be open to the public at Quan Su Pagoda from May 14 to 16, offering the faithful a rare and sacred opportunity for homage.

The relics, kept at the National Museum in New Delhi, are being brought to Vietnam for veneration from May 2 to 21. During this period, they will be housed at four prominent pagodas across the country, deepening spiritual bonds between India and Vietnam and honoring the Buddha’s life and teachings.

Quan Su Pagoda is the third destination in the four notable pagodas across Vietnam welcoming the Buddha relic, along with Thanh Tam Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Den Pagoda in the southern province of Tay Ninh, and Tam Chuc Pagoda in the northern province of Ha Nam.

After May 21, the sarira will be returned to India.

According to Vietnam's White Book on Religions, as of 2021, Buddhism had the highest number of followers, with over 14 million followers and 18,544 places of worship.

Reporter Huy Pham from The Hanoi Times helps readers explore the solemn and exciting procession and veneration of the Buddha sarira this evening in Hanoi.

Hình ảnh 1 — Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi, the headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, welcomed the arrival of the Buddha’s sarira on the afternoon of May 13 for public veneration. Photos: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times

Hình ảnh 2 — The festive atmosphere at Quan Su Pagoda.

Hình ảnh 3 — The procession of Buddha relic caught the public attention.

Hình ảnh 4 — This is the first time the Buddha's sarira has been brought to Vietnam for procession and public veneration.

Hình ảnh 5 — Hundreds of Buddhist followers gather near Quan Su Pagoda for veneration.

Hình ảnh 6 — The crowd shows respect to Buddha.

Hình ảnh 7 — Buddhism holds an important role in Vietnam with about 14 million followers.

Hình ảnh 8 — Buddhist followers wait for the procession of Buddha relic.

Hình ảnh 9 — Crowds gathered at Hoan Kiem Lake, the venue for the sacred procession.

Hình ảnh 10 — Buddhist followers patiently wait for the procession.

Hình ảnh 11 — The procession is held solemnly.

Hình ảnh 12 — Monks join the procession.

Hình ảnh 13 — The solemn procession captures public attention.

Hình ảnh 14 — The ceremonial atmoshere of the procession.

Hình ảnh 15 — It is also held in solemnity.

Hình ảnh 16 — A close look at the procession of Buddha sarira.

Hình ảnh 17 — Buddha sarira gains public veneration.

Hình ảnh 18 — The procession draws both adults and children.

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