The sacred enshrinement at the summit of Ba Den Mountain
On the morning of April 25, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the Tay Ninh Buddhist Sangha will solemnly conduct the procession of the sacred relics at the summit of Ba Den Mountain. These relics, a precious gift from the World Buddhist Federation at Bodh Gaya, India, were bestowed upon Vietnam in 2014 as a blessing for the flourishing of Buddhism and the well-being of the nation.
The sacred relics of the Buddha are reverently enshrined at the summit of Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain
At Ba Den Mountain, the relics of the Buddha will be reverently enshrined within a two-tiered crystal stupa, placed in a sacred space at the Buddhist exhibition center beneath the Great Buddha of Tay Bo Da Son Sacred Plaza. In commemoration of the Buddha’s Birthday and in preparation for the thousands of Vesak 2025 delegates arriving at Ba Den Mountain on May 8, the relics will be ceremoniously escorted from the exhibition center to the vast Tay Bo Da Son Sacred Plaza at the summit.
Following the sacred procession, the relics will remain enshrined in the open-air plaza throughout the Vesak celebrations, allowing Buddhist devotees and pilgrims from all corners of the world to gaze upon and venerate them with reverence.
Vesak 2025 delegates pay homage to the Buddha’s sacred relics on Ba Den Mountain in October 2024. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain
Within Buddhist tradition, the relics of the Buddha are regarded as sacred treasures, embodying the miraculous manifestation of the Dharma. For the faithful, beholding these relics is akin to witnessing the Buddha’s continued presence in the world – radiating boundless compassion, wisdom, and enlightenment for all beings. Thus, the act of venerating the relics during Vesak 2025 is a deeply spiritual practice, offering devotees an opportunity to receive the Buddha’s blessings, cultivate inner peace, and awaken the aspiration for liberation.
A series of grand celebrations for Buddha’s birth
According to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the Vesak 2025 celebrations will take place from the 1st to the 15th of the fourth lunar month in the Year of the Snake (April 28 – May 12, 2025). Over these two weeks, alongside the grand procession and enshrinement of the Buddha’s relics, a series of sacred ceremonies and Buddhist activities will unfold atop Ba Den Mountain to commemorate the birth of the Buddha.
The vast Tay Bo Da Son Sacred Plaza will serve as the sacred site for the enshrinement of the Buddha’s relics during Vesak Week. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain
Among these, the Buddha Bathing Ceremony will be a sacred highlight, allowing devotees and visitors to partake in one of the most profound rituals of Vesak. This ceremony, reenacted at Tay Bo Da Son Sacred Plaza beneath the stupa housing the sacred relics, symbolizes the auspicious moment of the Buddha’s birth. It is an opportunity for each individual to purify the body and mind, washing away defilements and cultivating serenity amidst the sacred energy of the mountain summit.
A particularly significant event within the United Nations Vesak 2025 celebrations will be the grand candlelit prayer ceremony for world peace, held by Vietnam Buddhist Sangha on May 8 at the summit of Ba Den Mountain. With thousands of Vesak delegates from over 80 countries and territories in attendance, this solemn gathering will reflect the overarching theme of Vesak 2025: "Unity and tolerance for human dignity: Buddhist wisdom for world peace and sustainable development."
The Vesak 2025 candlelit prayer ceremony for world peace will be held on May 8 at Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Viet Kien
Also on May 8, the commemorative Bodhi tree planting ceremony will take place, where 108 Bodhi trees – symbolizing enlightenment and harmony, will be planted by international delegates. Each tree will bear the name of a participating nation, serving as an enduring testament to the spiritual legacy of Vesak 2025 on this sacred mountain.
Renowned as one of Vietnam’s most revered pilgrimage sites, Ba Den Mountain is home to ancient pagodas and majestic Buddhist monuments. As it welcomes thousands of Vesak 2025 delegates from across the world, Ba Den Mountain is further affirming its status as a spiritual sanctuary, not only for Vietnamese Buddhists but for global pilgrims seeking a place of reverence, enlightenment, and inner peace.
