VietNamNet Bridge – Several religious activities through HCM City have marked the occasion of the Buddha’s 2,562th birthday, which fell on May 29 this year, the 15th day of the fourth lunar month.

Lanterns with Buddhist flags decorate an alley on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street. — VNS Photo Ngoc Diep

This is one of the most important celebrations in the Buddhist calendar, not only in Vietnam but also around the world.

Vietnamese Buddhists and believers across the city have been organising the Buddha’s birth (Vesak) celebrations since the beginning of the week.

These include the Buddha’s bathing ceremony, incense offerings, release of balloons and pigeons to pray for peace, and many humanitarian activities.

A religious activity releasing Hoa Dang (flower garlands and coloured lanterns) on Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe Canal near by Le Van Sy Bridge attracted thousands of Vietnamese Buddhists and believers on the evening of May 28.

All pagodas and temples in the city have been beautifully decorated with coloured lanterns and Buddhist flags.

The city’s Buddhist Sangha held a solemn ceremony to celebrate the day at the Viet Nam Quoc Tu Pagoda in District 10 on the morning of May 29.

Vietnam has more than 12 million Buddhist followers and 50,000 Buddhist monks and nuns, practising religion in over 17,000 Buddhist places of worship.

Buddhism has the largest number of followers in the country. 

Colourful Hoa Dang slowly floating on the water.— VNS Photo Ngoc Diep Releasing Hoa Dang on the water.— VNS Photo Ngoc Diep A believer with a Hoa Dang praying for happiness. On the evening of May 28, Buddhist monks, nuns and believers in HCM City participated in religious activity releasing Hoa Dang.— VNS Photo Ngoc Diep Thousands of Hoa Dang released on Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe Canal at the section in front of the Phap Hoa Pagoda.— VNS Photo Ngoc Diep

by Ngoc Diep

Source: VNS