Delegates from the International Committee for the United Nations Day of Vesak (ICDV) and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha took a souvenir photo in front of the statue of Buddha Tay Bo Da Son on September 28, 2024 (Photo: Hai Trieu).

Why choose Ba Den mountain?

In Buddhist culture, high mountains are considered a sacred symbol, associated with legends about the life of Buddha. In Vietnam, from North to South, there are 4 mountains known as sacred acupuncture points including Fansipan (Lao Cai), Nua Mountain (Thanh Hoa), Da Chong Mountain (Ba Vi, Hanoi) and Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh).

Ba Den Mountain is shimmering and magical. Photo: Hai Trieu

In the Southeast region, Ba Den Mountain is 986m above sea level, standing tall in the middle of the plains. It is a mountain closely associated with the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people and has a strong presence of Vietnamese Buddhist culture.

Ba Den Mountain is known as the “first heavenly mountain”, with many magnificent cultural and spiritual works such as: the tallest Buddha statue in Asia located on the top of the mountain, the largest sandstone Maitreya statue in the world, or gardens with gravel paths and the sound of flowing water, miniature statues with joyful smiles bring a feeling of peace and relaxation like being lost in a fairyland.

Delegation of the International Committee for the United Nations Day of Vesak (ICDV) and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha visited and discussed the program for the 2025 Vesak celebration on September 28, 2024 (Photo: Hai Trieu).

According to the representative of Sun World Baden Mountain, when visiting Ba Den Mountain during the tour and discussion of the Vesak 2025 program on September 28, Venerable, Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit - Chairman of ICDV commented that Ba Den Mountain is a precious gem, the main highlight for the entire Vesak 2025 event. Venerable Phra Brahmapundit said that this is a very rare place in the world where the complete combination between the spiritual world and the real world can be found.

“Most tourist attractions are generally amusement parks or places to serve spiritual life. Ba Den Mountain is different, this is a place for you to come to worship Buddha and nurture your spiritual life. But this journey is not boring at all with peaceful and beautiful scenery to cherish the soul,” said Venerable Phra Brahmapundit.

Permanent Vice Chairman of Tay Ninh Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Thanh welcomed the ICDV delegation at the top of Ba Den mountain.

Venerable Dr. Tampalawela Dhammaratana - Vice President of ICDV said that Ba Den Mountain reminds us of the mountains that are symbols of Buddhism in the world, associated with stories about the life and journey of the Buddha's teachings.

“When I saw the statue of Lady Buddha standing majestically on top of Ba Den Mountain, I felt the Bodhisattva's blessing spreading from here to the entire country, to everyone, not only Vietnamese people, but also countries in the Asian region. This is a magical place, a beautiful place. For me, this is not only a spiritual destination, but also a cultural center, a sacred place to come to heal and feel the Buddha's blessing,” Venerable Tampalawela Dhammaratana shared.

Ba Den Mountain is known as the oldest spiritual destination in the South.

Besides, sustainable development, aiming at protecting the natural environment in Ba Den mountain, is of special interest to ICDV delegates.

More than 1,000 delegates from 80 countries come to Ba Den Mountain

To prepare for this important event, Ms. Nguyen Lam Nhi Thuy - General Director of Tay Ninh Sun Joint Stock Company said that Sun World Ba Den Mountain has been coordinating with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to plan to welcome thousands of delegates from 80 countries. They will be present at Ba Den Mountain and worship Buddhist works on May 9, 2025. It is expected that on this day, at Ba Den Mountain, there will be many meaningful activities to celebrate Buddha's birthday such as: the ceremony of planting 80 Bodhi trees; the ceremony of enshrining the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni or the Great Lamp Offering Ceremony with the participation of more than 1,000 Vesak delegates praying for world peace...

“The activities in Tay Ninh are one of the important activities of the Vesak 2025 delegation, in preparation for the biggest festival of Buddhists in the world, taking place from May 6-8, 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City. In particular, Ba Den Mountain was chosen as the place for international delegates and international Buddhists to visit and participate in religious and cultural festivals on the last day of the Vesak Festival, May 9,” said a representative of Sun World Ba Den Mountain.

Ms. Nguyen Lam Nhi Thuy - General Director of Tay Ninh Sun Joint Stock Company at the reception of the Vesak 2025 delegation on the top of Ba Den mountain. Photo: Hai Trieu.

As expected, thousands of international Buddhists and ICDV member delegates representing France, the US, South Korea, Sri Lanka, the UK, Norway, and Thailand... will visit and admire the vibrant Buddhist cultural space at Ba Den Mountain during the Vesak Festival 2025.

Thousands of Buddhists offer candles on top of Ba Den Mountain.

This is the most important festival of world Buddhism. This shows the interest of the international Buddhist community in the traditional values ​​of Vietnamese Buddhism in general and Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh - the sacred mountain associated with the religious life of the people of the South in particular.

Tam Giang

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/nui-ba-den-duoc-chon-la-diem-den-trong-dai-le-vesak-2025-a186468.html