Sacred Bodhi tree planted at Vietnam Buddhist Academy - Campus II

The United Nations Day of Vesak, hosted by Vietnam, takes place from May 6 to 8 in Ho Chi Minh City with the participation of delegations from 80 countries and 5 territories.

On May 2, a ceremonial procession of the Buddha's relics, a national treasure of India, was held at Thanh Tam Pagoda, within the campus of Lang Le Park and the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City - Campus II. 

According to documents from the Embassy of India, the Buddha's relics were transported to Ho Chi Minh City on a special Indian government aircraft, escorted by Mr. Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs of India; Mr. Kandula Durgesh, Minister of Tourism and Culture of Andhra Pradesh, as well as high-ranking monks and senior Indian officials.

The Buddha's relics are enshrined at Thanh Tam Pagoda from May 3 to May 8. Following the events in Ho Chi Minh City, the relics will be enshrined in the province of Tay Ninh, province of Ha Nam and Ha Noi until May 21.

On this occasion, a sapling propagated from the sacred Bodhi tree in India was brought to Ho Chi Minh City, where it will be planted by Mr Shri Kiren Rijiju and the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy. 

On the occasion of United Nations Day of Vesak, and amidst the deep-rooted relationship between India and Vietnam, a thematic exhibition on the historical links in Buddhist beliefs, art, and culture spanning over 2,000 years will be held at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition, an Indian cultural troupe will tour Vietnam to perform a special dance drama "The Journey of Gautama Buddha", reenacting the life and teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, in Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Ha Noi, and other localities.

India deeply values the strong relationship between the people of India and the people of Vietnam and hopes that the enshrinement of the Buddha's relics, along with related activities, will further deepen the relationship between the two countries.