The candlelight prayer ceremony for world peace will be held on May 8 at Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain.
During the second meeting of the International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV) and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha on February 26, important preparations for Vesak 2025 were discussed. The meeting was chaired by Most Venerable Thích Thiện Nhơn - President of the VBS Executive Council, Head of the Organising Committee and Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of ICDV.
Delegates agreed on various aspects of the UN Vesak 2025 programme, scheduled to take place from May 6 to 8, along with side events featuring international delegates. According to the plan, the first day will welcome leaders of Buddhist sanghas from different countries. The second day will feature a series of group seminars on five key subtopics, engaging scholars, particularly young researchers. On the third day, the closing ceremony will be held in the morning. In the afternoon, delegates and venerable monks will travel to Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh.
At the summit of Ba Den Mountain, a solemn candlelight prayer ceremony for world peace will be held, with the participation of over 2,000 Vesak delegates from 80 countries and territories. This event is considered a profoundly meaningful activity aligned with the theme of Vesak 2025 ‘Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development.’
The Vesak 2025 delegation took a commemorative photo at the foot of the Maitreya Bodhisattva statue on Ba Den Mountain in October 2024. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain.
Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit said that this year’s programme encompasses various contents, with ‘peace’ being one of the most prominent. It can be understood as peace of mind, a fundamental foundation for social stability, global harmony and the finding of peace in nature and the environment.
“With Ba Den Mountain, I can feel the essence of 'peace' through the Buddhist spirit and the presence of the Maitreya Bodhisattva statue, a symbol of joy and serenity. This sacred mountain allows one to immerse in nature, share tranquillity with others and spread the spirit and message of world peace in practice," Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit shared.
Venerable Phra Brahmapundit at Ba Den Mountain in October 2024. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain.
The President of ICDV also highlighted that this is not merely an abstract idea but a concrete example of how we can live in peace while developing the economy, without destroying the environment or causing harm to others. This is why a sacred spiritual destination filled with positive energy like Ba Den Mountain will serve as a place where individuals can seek healing and tranquillity.
As part of the second discussion meeting on Vesak 2025, representatives from the Ba Den Mountain tourist area reported on preparations for the candlelight prayer ceremony for world peace.
Representative of Ba Den Mountain Tourist Area reported to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha on the preparations for welcoming the Vesak 2025 delegation. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain.
"Hosting the Vesak 2025 delegation for the world peace candlelight prayer ceremony is a tremendous honour for the Ba Den Mountain tourist area. On May 8, we will also hold special ceremonies to welcome the delegation during this grand Buddhist event, including a bodhi tree planting ceremony and the enshrinement of Buddha relics for Buddhists and the public to pay homage," Nguyen Lam Nhi Thuy, Deputy General Director of Sun Group in the Southern region, said.
Paying homage to the Buddha's relics during the Vesak festival is one of the most spiritually significant rituals, allowing Buddhist followers and the public to receive the Buddha’s blessings. Ba Den Mountain is one of the few places in Vietnam that preserves the Buddha’s relics, which were bestowed by the World Fellowship of Buddhists at Bodh Gaya, India, in 2014.
The Buddha’s relics will be enshrined at Ba Den Mountain for Buddhist followers and visitors to pay homage during the Vesak Grand Celebration. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain.
As part of the Vesak 2025 celebrations, the Vietnamese government has also considered approving the VBS to organise a procession of the Buddha’s relics from India and receive the heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc for enshrinement.
Scheduled from May 6 to 8, the UN Day of Vesak 2025 is one of the most significant international cultural events, honouring humanistic values and global peace. Vietnam is expected to welcome about 2,000 delegates from 80 countries and territories, including UN officials, heads of state, supreme Buddhist leaders, presidents of Buddhist organisations and numerous scholars and intellectuals worldwide.
