Vesak celebration atmosphere pervading every province

12/05/2008 -- 5:04 PM

Hanoi (VNA) – A festive atmosphere is pervading every locality across Vietnam in anticipation of the upcoming United Nations Day of Vesak 2008, the biggest international Buddhist event hosted locally for the first time. The major celebrations from May 14-17 will see 5,000 delegates from in and outside the country gathering in Hanoi , while other provinces including Quang Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City and Thua Thien-Hue also burst with activities. Northern Quang Ninh province anticipate thousands of visitors to Yen Tu, the Buddhist centre of Vietnam during the Tran Dynasty, and Ha Long Bay, the UNESCO world heritage site. Executive board head of the Quang Ninh Buddhist Church Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet said Yen Tu visitors will be able to pay respects to first Vietnamese patriarch and founder of the Truc Lam Buddhist sect, King Tran Nhan Tong. A peace chanting ceremony will be solemnly held at Chua Dong pagoda on the Yen Tu mountain peak, the place of the most supernatural power. The country’s biggest economic-cultural hub Ho Chi Minh City has also been busily preparing for official religious ceremonies during Vesak. Visitors to the city during this time will be welcomed by a rich market of Buddhist books, publications, postcards, posters and decorative lanterns. The former imperial capital city of Hue will celebrate the Buddha’s birthday with numerous ritual ceremonies to be held in Dieu De and Tu Dam pagodas, as well as a series of cultural activities, including musical programmes and exhibitions of photos and Buddhist antiques. The Vesak hosting role is seen as a significant occasion for Vietnam , to honour a religion which came to the country some 2,000 years ago and now attracts over 10 million followers.-Enditem
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