87 national Buddhist treasures unveiled at UN Day of Vesak 2025

As part of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 getting underway in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is organising an exhibition introducing Vietnamese Buddhist Culture.

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The highlight of the exhibition space is the presence of 87 national treasures that are priceless artifacts reflecting the deep historical roots and far-reaching influence of Buddhism in Vietnam’s cultural and spiritual life.

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These treasures have drawn significant attention from monks, nuns, Buddhist devotees, and culture enthusiasts. Since its opening, the exhibition has attracted visitors admiring and learning about the sacred relics linked to the journey of Vietnamese Buddhism.

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Many Buddhists are visibly moved upon seeing in person statues, stone steles, and ritual instruments they have only read about in books or heard of through legends.

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One such artifact is the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteshvara statue from Bao An Pagoda, sculpted in the 19th century.

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The Snow Mountain statue at Mia Pagoda in Hanoi is a prime example of 17th-century Buddhist sculpture. It realistically depicts Prince Siddhartha’s extreme asceticism before attaining enlightenment.

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The Tam The Buddha statues at But Thap Pagoda include Amitābha (past), Śākyamuni (present), and Maitreya (future). Made of lacquered wood, they sit in meditation on lotus thrones atop a finely carved three-tiered square pedestal. Each has a radiant halo, symbolizing profound Buddhist meanings.

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Another iconic artifact is the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteshvara statue (Goddess of Mercy) at But Phap Pagoda.

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Beyond symbolic artifacts, the exhibition includes accompanying images, documentation, and excerpts introducing the historical, cultural, and artistic value of each treasure.

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In addition to the treasures, the exhibition recreates the Vietnamese Buddhist cultural space through traditional musical instruments, monastic robes, tea ceremonies, imperial edicts, scriptures, paintings, and more.

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Organised by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the exhibition aims to honour and spread the enduring values of Vietnamese Buddhism. The organisers hope it offers a meaningful opportunity for delegates, monks, nuns, Buddhist followers, and international guests to experience and understand the distinct values of Vietnamese Buddhist culture.

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Furthermore, the exhibition also seeks to inspire national pride, love for the homeland, and a sense of responsibility toward preserving and promoting cultural heritage in today’s era where Buddhism is not only a spiritual belief but also a lasting cultural current flowing alongside the Vietnamese nation through thousands of years of history.