Gaya: Vietnam President To Lam offered prayers before the statue of Lord Buddha in the sanctum sanctorum of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara after he arrived in Bodh Gaya on Tuesday as part of his three-day state visit to India.Governor Syed Ata Hasnain and CM Samrat Choudhary received him at the Gaya airport. Accompanied by a 120-member delegation, To Lam reached Bodh Gaya by road from the airport, where he offered prayers at the Mahavihara, the place where the Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment. The Mahavihara marks the most holy shrine for Buddhists across the world, where the Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment. He also visited the Vietnamese Buddhist monastery in Bodh Gaya, where he paid obeisance.A press release issued by the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) said, “A special chanting ceremony was conducted by the Mahavihara chief monk Bhikkhu Chalinda along with other resident monks. Venerable Thich Duc Thien, secretary-general of the executive council of the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Vice-Chairman of the Vietnam–India Friendship Association and a Padma Shri recipient led the Vietnamese chanting in the main sanctum”.“Upon arrival, the dignitaries were accorded a warm and traditional welcome with khadas by the BTMC member secretary Mahashweta Maharathi and the Mahavihara chief monk Bhikkhu Chalinda with other resident monks and the committee members,” it said.“The delegation was guided through the Mahavihara including the sacred Bodhi tree, where offerings and chanting were performed. The President also circumambulated the shrine three times with the delegation. As a mark of respect Maharathi and the chief monk presented mementos including a framed Bodhi leaf and a wooden stupa casket containing sacred wood dust from a branch of the Bodhi tree. In return, the prez presented a silk robe to chief monk, along with gifts wrapped in traditional lacquer and sandalwood boxes. He expressed deep appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation,” the press release said.“This visit reflects the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual ties shared between India and Vietnam. Grounded in the shared legacy of Buddhism, such engagements continue to strengthen mutual understanding, foster people-to-people connections, and reinforce the enduring friendship between the two nations. It stands as a reaffirmation of growing partnership and goodwill, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in cultural, spiritual and diplomatic spheres”, it added.Security was tightened across Gaya and Bodh Gaya for the high-profile visit with increased surveillance and police deployment along key routes, including the airport and Mahavihara premises. district magistrate-cum-BTMC chairman Shashank Shubhankar and the city SP Kota Kiran Kumar, officiating as Gaya SSP, continuously monitored the security arrangements.
