Vietnamese Buddhists join world in observance of Vesak Day
Thursday, May 11, 2017, 12:30 GMT+7
A grand ceremony to observe Vesak Day, also known as Buddha’s Birthday, was held at Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday.
Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha, a religious figure recognized by Buddhists as a teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end rebirth and suffering, and on whose teachings Buddhism was founded.
Thousands of Buddhists and local officials attended the ceremony, which began early Wednesday morning and continued into the evening with a series of rituals and activities celebrating the year 2561 in the Buddhist calendar.
The Venerable Thich Tri Quang, head of affairs at the Ho Chi Minh City Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam, called for Vietnamese Buddhists to contribute to the continued development of the Sangha in the context of Vietnam’s reforms and international integration.
Local officials, including former Ho Chi Minh City Party chief Le Thanh Hai and standing deputy Party chief Vo Thi Dung, participated in a ritual pigeon-release to wish for a Buddhist year of peace and prosperity across the country.
Here are some photos from Vesak Day celebrations in Vietnam and around the world.
Vo Thi Dung (R), deputy Party chief of Ho Chi Minh City, presents the local chapter of the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam with a wreath during Vesak Day at Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, May 10, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Monks and Buddhists attend Vesak Day at Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, May 10, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre
A children’s dance performance during Vesak Day at Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, May 10, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Buddhists carry a Child Buddha statue on the shrine while celebrating the Vesak Day in Quan Su Pagoda, Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo: Reuters
Buddhists carry candles as they pray during Vesak Day at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand. Photo: Reuters
Buddhist monks prostrate as they perform the "three steps one bow" ceremony at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery on the eve of Vesak Day in Singapore. Photo: Reuters
Buddhists carry candles while encircling a large Buddha statue during Vesak Dayat a temple in Nakhon Pathom province on the outskirts of Bangkok. Photo: Reuters
Novice nuns and buddhists carry candles as they pray during Vesak Day at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand. Photo: Reuters
A man fixes an image of a Buddha on top of a pandal, a temporary platform to be decorated with illuminated panels illustrating episodes from the life of Buddha, ahead of Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Photo: Reuters
A girl offers prayers inside a Buddhist temple on the occasion of Buddha Purnima festival, also known as Vesak Day, in Agartala, India. Photo: Reuters
A devotee (unseen) sprinkles rice grains as part of the rituals on the idol of Buddha during Vesak Day at Swayambhu in Kathmandu, Nepal. Photo: Reuters
People walk around a stupa, at the top of the Wat Saket, or Golden Mount, during the Buddhist Vesak celebration in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Reuters
Buddhists carry candles as they pray during Vesak Day at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand. Photo: Reuters
Hindu devotees take a holy dip in the Ganges river on the occasion of Buddha purnima festival, also known as Vesak day, in Allahabad, India. Photo: Reuters
A devotee prays in front of a Buddha statue during the birth anniversary of Buddha, also known as Vesak Day in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Photo: Reuters
A devotee offers butter lamps on the eve of the birth anniversary of Buddha, also known as Vesak Day, at Swayambhu in Kathmandu, Nepal. Photo: Reuters
A family takes a seflie as they visit the Shwedagon Pagoda during Kason Watering Festival celebrations, also know as Vesak Day, in Yangon, Myanmar. Photo: Reuters
Buddhists carry candles as they pray during Vesak Day at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand. Photo: Reuters
Buddhist monks perform the "three steps one bow" ceremony at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery on the eve of Vesak Day in Singapore. Photo: Reuters
A devotee offers prayer on the idol of Buddha during the birth anniversary of Buddha, also known as Vesak Day, at Swayambhu in Kathmandu, Nepal. Photo: Reuters
Buddhists carry candles while encircling a large Buddha statue during Vesak Day at a temple in Nakhon Pathom province on the outskirts of Bangkok. Photo: Reuters
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