Ba Vang Pagoda Solemnly Hosts the 2025 Buddha’s Birthday Celebration – In Harmony with the UN Day of Vesak

On the morning of May 4, 2025 (the 7th day of the 4th lunar month, Year of the Snake), Ba Vang Pagoda solemnly held the Grand Vesak Celebration (BE 2569 – CE 2025). The ceremony followed the official guidelines from the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), with Vesak celebrations taking place from the 1st to the 15th day of the 4th lunar month.

This event resonated with the joy of millions of Buddhists across the globe in welcoming the birth of the Compassionate Father Shakyamuni Buddha. This year's event coincided with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's reunification and marked its honor in hosting the United Nations Day of Vesak for the fourth time—a significant international occasion. Myriad of people, dressed in vibrant attire, reverently and joyfully streamed into Ba Vang Pagoda. All  created a peaceful and uplifting atmosphere that set the tone for the Vesak day.

The pagoda is beautifully adorned with colorful flags, flowers, and banners, creating a festive atmosphere and sharing the joy of celebrating the noble birth of Lord Buddha with all beings across the universe. Joyful commemorative programs, accompanied by the resonant sounds of temple bells and drums, along with the gentle chanting of sutras, filled the air with a sacred yet uplifting spirit befitting the Vesak season.

Attending the ceremony were many venerable and esteemed monks, including Most Venerable Thich Tanh Nhiep—Vice Chairman of the Central Executive Council, Deputy Head of the Central Sangha Affairs Committee, Head of the VBS Executive Board of Quang Binh Province; Venerable Thich Dao Hien—Member of the Central Executive Council, Deputy Head of the Central Buddhist Education Committee, Deputy Head and Chief Secretary of the VBS Executive Board of Quang Ninh Province; Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh—Deputy Head of the Central Committee for International Buddhist Affairs, Deputy Head of the Central Information and Communications Committee, Abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda, and Head of the Organizing Committee for the 2025 Ba Vang Vesak Celebration; Venerable Thich Khai Tu – Standing Member and Deputy Chief of the VBS Office in Quang Ninh, Head of the VBS Executive Board of Uong Bi City; along with dignitaries from provincial and city VBS boards, abbots of temples from within and outside the province, and the Sangha of Ba Vang Pagoda.

Representing the government were leaders and dignitaries from provincial, district, and ward levels. Also in attendance were many current and former officials from various provincial, city, district, and ward-level departments, as well as Party Secretaries and Chairpersons from wards across Uong Bi City.

From the corporate sector, participants included Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Thu, Director of Mekong Hanoi Trading and Tourism Company; and lawyer Vu Quang Ninh, Director of Vu Anh Law Firm. The event also drew a large gathering of citizens and Buddhists from both inside and outside Vietnam.

During the ceremony, blending into the joyful Vesak atmosphere, the United Nations Secretary-General's message on the Day of Vesak 2025 was solemnly delivered, spreading the spirit of Buddhist compassion, tolerance, and selfless service. Then, Venerable Master Thich Dao Hien—Member of the Central Executive Council, Deputy Head of the Central Buddhist Education Committee, and Chief Secretary of the Quang Ninh VBS Executive Board—respectfully delivered the Vesak Message from the Supreme Patriarch of the VBS.

Also during the ceremony, Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh, Abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda, ascended the main stage to deliver the Vesak Speech (BE 2569 – CE 2025) from the Chairman of the Central Executive Council of the VBS:

“The Buddha taught: ‘All sentient beings possess Buddha-nature.' This is a profound affirmation of the equal value and dignity of all humans, regardless of skin color, religion, nationality, or social status. He also taught: ‘There is no path to peace—peace is the path.' And again, ‘Mind precedes all phenomena, mind matters most, everything is mind-made. If with a pure mind, one speaks or acts, happiness follows as a shadow that never departs.'”

Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh emphasized and called upon the global Buddhist community to diligently practice the Dharma, cultivate inner peace, and radiate the energy of compassion and wisdom to contribute to the peace and happiness of all humanity.

In response to the VBS's directive to engage in charitable activities during Vesak, and to carry forward the compassion of the Buddha, Ba Vang Pagoda presented meaningful gifts—wheelchairs—to individuals with disabilities in difficult circumstances, in the hope of spreading seeds of compassion in society.

This act not only embodies the spirit of Buddhism walking hand in hand with the nation but also helps spread its noble ethical values, aiming to build a happy, compassionate, and civilized world.

Amid the joyful and meaningful atmosphere, a series of choreographed performances took place, including: festival drumming to celebrate the Buddha's birth, Devas and humans celebrate the Buddha's birthday, and Buddhism brings peace to the world. Each performance offered profound emotional experiences, not only praising the Buddha's birth but also expressing deep reverence and gratitude, and amplifying the message of peace, compassion, and wisdom brought to the world by the World-Honored One.

Other meaningful activities during the celebration included the ritual of offering water to bathe the Buddha, and recitation of Vesak sutras.

It is hoped that this auspicious occasion will help spread the Dharma; that everyone will connect more deeply with the Three Jewels, strive in their practice, and uphold the Buddhist spirit of walking alongside the nation—thereby bringing happiness to themselves and to all beings.