Venerated Buddhist monk Gyalwang Drukpa in Vietnam for spring festival

A large crowd of devout Buddhists including nuns and monks gathered at the Noi Bai International Airport Wednesday morning to welcome Gyalwang Drukpa (C), head of the Drukpa Lineage of Vajrayana Buddhism, and his entourage.

They will lead prayers at the Great Stupa Mandala Tay Thien in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, northwest of Hanoi, from February 22-24.

Buddhists nuns hold Khata, a traditional ceremonial scarf in Tibetan Buddhism symbolizing purity and compassion, while waiting for the arrival of Gyalwang Drupka at the airport.

Vajrayana is one of the main Buddhist traditions that developed in India and spread to Tibet and East Asia.

A devotee who stood for hours to greet his His Holiness.

Gyalwang Drukpa steps out of the car that took him from the airport to a hotel. He will be in Vietnam until March 13, visiting many places in different regions, from north to south.

Gyalwang Drukpa and his Sangha are welcomed at the hotel.

The Gyalwang Drukpa’s first visit to Vietnam was in 2007. Since then, he has returned to Vietnam many times.

Last year, he visited the Great Stupa Mandala Tay Thien to attend the unveiling of the mandala of Bodhisattva Guanyin.