Thousands of worshippers took part in a mass prayer in the northern province of Ha Nam on Monday evening, as part of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2019 celebrations in Vietnam.

The UN Day of Vesak 2019, themed ‘Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies,’ with a series of rituals and activities, is taking place at the Tam Chuc Pagoda in Kim Bang District, Ha Nam from May 12 to 14.

On Monday night, around 300 monks and 10,000 Buddhism followers lit more than 40,000 water lanterns shaped like lotus flowers - a Buddhist symbol of purity of the body, speech, and mind - and prayed for peace for the country and her people.

Vesak is the most important holiday in the Buddhist calendar that celebrates three important events, namely the birth, full awakening, and passing away of the Buddha Siddhartha Gautama. The event falls on the full moon day of May.

This year the occasion falls on May 17, celebrating the year 2563 in the Buddhist calendar.

Since 2004, Thailand has hosted the UN Day of Vesak for 12 times, Vietnam three times, including this year, and Sri Lanka one time.

Below are photos taken at Monday’s mass prayer.

Thousands of water lanterns illuminate the Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Thousands of water lanterns illuminate the Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Buddhism followers hold water lanterns during a mass prayer at the Tam Chuc Pagoda Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Buddhism followers hold water lanterns during a mass prayer at the Tam Chuc Pagoda Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

A Buddhism follower holds water lanterns during a mass prayer at the Tam Chuc Pagoda Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

An overview of a mass prayer at the Tam Chuc Pagoda Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

People release water lanterns at a lake in front of the Tam Chuc Pagoda in in Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Monks pray at the Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Thousands of water lanterns illuminate the Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Thousands of water lanterns float on a lake at the Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Monks pray at the Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Thousands of water lanterns illuminate the Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

A giant water lantern shaped like a lotus flower illuminates the Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam, northern Vietnam, on May 13, 2019. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

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