On the evening of May 24, the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (GHPGVN) HCMC solemnly held the procession ceremony to invite the statue of Buddha's Birthday and the flower palanquin parade to celebrate the Buddha's Birthday Vesak in the 2570s Buddhist calendar.
At exactly 7 pm, the ceremonial procession and flower palanquins of departments and branches directly under the Management Board, Giac Ngo Newspaper and Buddhist sects officially departed from An Quang Ancestral Temple (Vuon Lai ward). The procession moved solemnly through the streets: Su Van Hanh, Ngo Gia Tu, Le Hong Phong extended and 3 Thang 2 street, before entering the main gate of Vietnam Quoc Tu (Hoa Hung ward, Ho Chi Minh City).
Along the route, a large number of Buddhists from all regions gathered and clasped their hands respectfully as the procession passed by. The image of people joyfully admiring the Buddha's birth day created a unique and peaceful cultural and religious picture in the heart of the city.
After offering the precious body of the newborn Buddha to be placed at the main tower of Vietnam Quoc Tu, at 8 pm on the same day, dignitaries performed the sacred Moc Duc (Buddha Bathing) ritual according to tradition. A large number of Buddhists were on duty solemnly to directly participate in this ritual.
Present at Vietnam Quoc Tu early, Ms. Minh Chau (resident of An Phu Dong ward) said that Buddha's Birthday is an occasion that her family always looks forward to every year due to the tradition of Buddhist practice for many generations. "On this occasion, I only wholeheartedly pray for national peace and prosperity, and my family to be happy and peaceful," Ms. Chau shared.
The procession of statues and flower palanquin parades is an annual spiritual event organized by the Executive Board of GHPGVN HCMC. The event not only meets the religious needs of Buddhists but also contributes to spreading the good values, peace and compassion of Buddhism into social life.
