Monks, nuns, devotees, and Diplomats today all sat together at the National Museum, to pay their final homage in the Capital city to the sacred relics of the Buddha before they are returned to Sarnath tomorrow and once again enshrined at the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar Temple.

At a veneration ceremony, organised by the National Museum and the International Buddhist Confederation, with support from the Ministry of Culture, for the homecoming of the sacred Relics, after a 30-day, 9 cities whirlwind exposition programme in Vietnam, speakers sharing their experience highlighted the overwhelming devotion, patience, and self-discipline of the people of Vietnam as they waited for hours to reach their turn to the Relics Alter.

They filed past around the clock, queues stretched as far as the eye could see; children carrying their elderly father or mother on their shoulders; the handicapped being supported by family members; little children silently standing close to their parents for hours- just to be in the presence and get a glimpse of the Enlightened One.

Most Venerable Seewali Bhante, the Custodian of the Relic in Vietnam narrating his experience added “we were moved and touched, they had a smile on their lips but the eyes were tearful, praying all the while, it was an emotionally charged atmosphere,” he said.

“It is a great country, grateful to the people of Vietnam, we pray for peace and prosperity for that country. All our accumulated merit from this exposition we share with everyone,” the Venerable stated.

The Ambassador of Mongolia, Mr Ganbold Dambajav recalled the visit of the Holy Relics to his country a few years ago. He was amazed to find young Mongolians coming in large numbers for the exposition. It was normal to see the older generation in the queue as they would have practised Buddha dharma with their parents, but the youth coming for veneration was a surprise for all, he expressed.

Another auspicious sign that occurred during the exposition of the Sacred Relics in Mongolia was the formation of the clouds in the shape of an elephant. This brought great joy to all who witnessed it, he shared.

The Deputy Chief of Mission of Vietnam, Mr Tran Thanh Tung said he was touched to learn about what the Venerable said about his experience in Vietnam. He expressed his gratitude to India for the invaluable support and generosity for sharing the Holy Relics with Vietnam for people to pay their homage and also for extending the exposition by 10-days because of the overwhelming demand from the people.

Stating that this was a great opportunity for seeking the blessings of the Holy Relic, the Ambassador of Nepal, Dr Shankar Prasad Sharma noted that it was also bonding the people-to-people relations and the teachings of the Buddha can be a basis for strengthening diplomatic ties.

Sharing his observations, Ven Prof Dhammajyoti said Vietnam was a country that had gone through a lot of struggles, seen many obstacles, yet they have preserved Buddha Dharma physically and psychologically. “There was no police or security to pressurise people into queues, it was the power of the faith that was evident,” he added.

The Secretary General of IBC, Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche expressed that this was an occasion to bring together the global Buddhist community. There may be differences in philosophy, but Buddhist values are the same uniting us all. It is Buddha Dharma that can heal the wounds of a broken society and India must revive the Dharma’s message.

An official from the IBC was constantly available to coordinate with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the Indian monks accompanying the relics. Each movement out of a city and into a new city was carefully calibrated by the IBC and the Indian Embassy in Hanoi with the VBS for a smooth transition, keeping in view the sentiments of the people.

The sacred Relics will be taken tomorrow in a Presidential cavalcade to the airport on their way to Varanasi with full protocol of Head of State for the onward journey to Sarnath, and then returned to the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar.

The Vietnam journey of the relics—where a record 17. 80 million people paid homage to the Enlightened One was a solemn occasion, bringing joy and hope wherever it travelled. The relics brought together millions in collective prayers; an unspoken connection of ancient links both culturally and spiritually.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

Enroute Press Release