 Massive crowds fill Hanoi in reverence of Buddha’s relics (Photo: VOV) |
Over the past few days, tens of thousands of Buddhists from Hanoi and surrounding provinces have flocked to Quan Su pagoda to pay their respects. Streets around the pagoda, including Tran Binh Trong, Ly Thuong Kiet, Tran Hung Dao, and Quan Su, have been packed with pilgrims patiently standing in long lines, some waiting up to six hours to pay homage to the Buddha’s relics.
For many Buddhists, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to venerate the relics without having to travel to India. The atmosphere is one of reverence, and chanting resounds throughout the temple grounds.
The pilgrims share their impression:
“I hope everyone – our families, our country, all Buddhists, and all living beings – will be safe, happy, peaceful, and healthy.”
"Very moving. I never imagined I’d have the chance to see the Buddha’s relics like this.”
“As a student of Buddhism, I understand that seeing the relics is like meeting the Buddha himself. We’re very happy. We've been waiting many days for this sacred moment.”
The relics arrived in Hanoi on Tuesday, transported from Noi Bai International Airport through the capital's principal streets before being enshrined at Quan Su pagoda. The relics have been exhibited in Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Hanoi, and soon Ha Nam for a total of 20 days.
Dr. Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation, said: “To see the Buddha relics is very symbolic because it is actually the living Buddha, you know, so the government of India takes a lot of care, a lot of precaution, before taking the holy relic to another country. I think for the people of Vietnam it’s a great occasion to have the holy relics of the Buddha himself come to visit just as UN Vesak Day is being celebrated there.”
According to preliminary figures, around 1.8 million people came to venerate the relics in Ho Chi Minh City, while approximately 125,000 visited during the four days at Ba Den mountain in Tay Ninh. In Hanoi, Quan Su pagoda is being kept open throughout the night to accommodate the overwhelming number of visitors.