The sacred symbol of “Buddha’s footprint,” meticulously carved from natural blue stone, has officially been unveiled at Tam Chuc Pagoda, drawing thousands of monks, devotees, and visitors from across the country to pay their respects.
The “Buddha’s footprint” is a revered Buddhist symbol, now placed at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam to honor the enlightened path of Shakyamuni Buddha.The monumental sculpture is formed from two massive slabs of natural blue stone, each measuring 10 meters in length, 3.6 meters in width, 1 meter in height, and weighing over 100 tons.On the surface of the stone footprint are intricate carvings of symbolic lotus motifs, representing the three pillars of Buddhist practice: morality (Giới), concentration (Định), and wisdom (Tuệ).The “Buddha’s footprint” at Tam Chuc Pagoda serves not only as a deeply spiritual symbol but also as a space for contemplation and mindfulness for pilgrims and tourists alike.As crowds gathered to venerate the Buddha’s relics, many lingered at the site of the footprint, quietly reflecting and finding inner peace.Pilgrims often touch the “Buddha’s footprint” and then gently place their hands on their heads or faces as an expression of reverence and a prayer for blessings from the Buddha.Hoang Thi Thanh, a visitor from Nghe An, shared, “I came to Tam Chuc Pagoda to pay respects to the Buddha’s relics and to see the footprint with my own eyes. Standing here, I feel a deep sense of serenity.”Many seize the opportunity to pray before the sacred “Buddha’s footprint.” Nguyen Van Binh from Thai Binh said, “This is my first time touching the Buddha’s footprint to offer a prayer. I’m deeply moved. Though I’ve gone on many pilgrimages, this has been the most memorable one.”
