A special plane departed from Hindon Air Base on the outskirts of New Delhi early on May 2 morning and landed at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

During its 20-day stay in Vietnam from May 2 to 21, the Buddha’s Sarira will travel across four provinces and cities, namely Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Hanoi, and Ha Nam, enabling Vietnamese people and international delegates attending the UN Day of Vesak 2025 to pay their respects.

Earlier, a solemn ceremony to receive Lord Buddha’s Sarira was held at the National Museum of India in New Delhi on May 1 afternoon, with the cooperation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and relevant Indian authorities. During the ceremony, the sacred Sarira was officially transferred from India to Vietnam, marking the beginning of a series of international activities as part of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025.

The transfer of Lord Buddha’s relics from India - the land where Lord Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, preached the Dharma, and entered Nirvana - to Vietnam carries deep spiritual significance and symbolises the long-standing friendship and cultural-religious ties between the two countries. This is also a precious occasion for Vietnamese Buddhists and the general public to pay homage, strengthen their faith, and deepen their practice in accordance with the Buddha’s teachings.

Relics (Sanskrit: Sarira) are the remaining bodily fragments or sacred objects believed to be left behind after Buddha Shakyamuni entered Nirvana was cremated. These relics are among the most sacred treasures in Buddhism and are regarded as a symbol of the Buddha’s spiritual presence on Earth. In India, they are considered national treasures not only for their religious significance but also for their profound cultural and historical value.

According to the International Buddhist Confederation, more than three million people are expected to venerate the Sarira during its 20-day exhibition in Vietnam. This sends a powerful message of peace and compassion to the world, in line with the core purpose and principle of Vesak The Dharma brings peace—not only to the mind, but also to politics and society as a whole.

Vesak 2025 to highlight Buddhist insights for world peace

The 20th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations (Vesak 2025), scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City from May 6-8, emphasises the role of Buddhist principles in promoting peace and sustainable development globally, heard a press conference held by Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)'s Executive Council in Hanoi on April 22.