Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that the initiative to share the holy relics of the Buddha with Vietnam has sparked a profound cultural and spiritual phenomenon, drawing more than 15 million pilgrims to nine different sites across the Southeast Asian nation.

Thousands of people and Buddhists attend the procession of Sakyamuni Buddha's relics to Phuc Son Pagoda in former Bac Giang province.

According to the Vietnam News Agency’s correspondent in New Delhi, during the 123rd edition of his radio programme Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said “Can you imagine that in Vietnam – a country of around 100 million people, over 15 million have paid homage to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha? The images and videos I’ve seen on social media truly reflect the boundless nature of devotion. Rain or shine, young children, the elderly, people with disabilities, everyone stood in long queues for hours to express their reverence. The people’s deep sense of respect for this spiritual journey led the Vietnamese Government to request a 12-day extension for the enshrinement of the relics, a request India gladly accepted.”

The PM also said that the event had grown into a nationwide festival in Vietnam, underlining the far-reaching influence of India’s cultural heritage on the international stage.

He said that the sharing of the Buddha’s relics has underscored the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual ties between India and Vietnam, fostering a greater appreciation of India’s rich heritage.

The act of sharing Buddha’s relics with countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and Mongolia, he said, demonstrates the unifying power of Buddhism in connecting civilisations and nations.

He also encouraged Indian citizens to visit Buddhist heritage sites within their own states, highlighting the profound spiritual and cultural enrichment such journeys can offer.

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