Minister Dao Ngoc Dung lights candles to commemorate heroic martyrs

Within the framework of the 2025 Vesak Festival, the traditional Buddhist funeral ritual took place solemnly and sacredly.

Minister of Ethnic Minorities and Religions Dao Ngoc Dung and other elders, leaders of the Church, monks and nuns lit candles tonight to commemorate the heroic martyrs on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

This activity took place on the main stage opposite Minh Chau lecture hall (Vietnam Buddhist Academy, Binh Chanh district, Ho Chi Minh City).

This key spiritual activity is within the framework of the 2025 United Nations Vesak Celebration, demonstrating the spirit of harmony, humanity and the Vietnamese people's "remembering the source of water" philosophy.

Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion Dao Ngoc Dung, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon - Deputy Supreme Patriarch, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Chairman of the National Organizing Committee for the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak, and leaders of Buddhist churches, associations, and organizations from many countries around the world burned incense to commemorate the heroes and martyrs.

Immediately afterwards, the Buddha bathing ceremony was performed.

The Venerable Sangha Kings, Supreme Patriarchs, leaders of Buddhist churches, associations, and organizations from many countries around the world, along with the Venerable Sangha Council and the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, spent time reading sutras and praying for the deceased.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung expressed his gratitude for the Church and monks and nuns taking solemn moments to commemorate more than 3 million Vietnamese compatriots and soldiers who sacrificed for the independence and unification of the Fatherland.

In particular, the Minister expressed gratitude to hundreds of thousands of war invalids and heroic Vietnamese mothers, families with revolutionary contributions, and those who have silently devoted and sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting and building the country.

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung shared: “On behalf of the leaders of the Party, State and people, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the international delegates who visited and attended the ceremony. The Vietnamese State always respects the freedom of belief and religion as well as the right to not follow a religion of each citizen. We hope that the Church and religious organizations will continue to accompany the nation in the cause of national development and building the great national unity bloc.”

Watch clip of Minister Dao Ngoc Dung speaking at the ceremony:

Monks, nuns and Buddhists prayed for the souls of the heroic martyrs. The ceremony took place solemnly and respectfully.

Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Head of the Central Cultural Committee, on behalf of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, sent thanks on the occasion of the World Peace Prayer Ceremony, United Nations Vesak 2025.

The grand ceremony took place on May 6 and 7, with many spiritual rituals such as: setting up a prayer altar, chanting sutras, holding a memorial candlelight ceremony, etc. to commemorate and show gratitude for the great merits of our ancestors, soldiers, and compatriots who sacrificed for national independence.

Besides, the establishment of the Great Trai Dan has a sacred meaning, expressing the spirit of gratitude and repayment of gratitude of Buddhists, continuing the tradition of "protecting the country and people", accompanying the nation.

The area where the Great Memorial Ceremony for the heroic martyrs took place is located on the campus of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy, shimmering with lanterns.

Within the framework of the 2025 Vesak Festival held for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City, each day there are two times to pray for national peace and prosperity and to pray for the souls of martyrs. The ceremonies in the great vegetarian ceremony are conducted according to Buddhist rituals of the three regions of North - Central - South.

On the afternoon of May 6, the Ho Chi Minh City Buddhist Sangha's Ritual Committee held a ceremony to pray for the souls of heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the year of Mau Than (1968), those who fell for the cause of liberation, independence and national unification; and to give alms to all living beings according to Southern Buddhist rituals.

This is a spiritual activity within the framework of the United Nations Vesak Festival 2025, celebrating 50 years of peace and the reunion of the North and South.

The organizing committee set up an altar to pray for national peace and prosperity, and to pray for the souls of heroes, martyrs, and ancestors who sacrificed their lives for the sacred Fatherland.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dai-le-ky-sieu-tai-vesak-2025-thap-nen-tuong-niem-cac-anh-hung-liet-si-2398430.html