Vu Lan festival scene at Cat Tuong pagoda, Thanh Mieu ward
Filial piety has no season.
According to a lecturer, filial piety has permeated every Vietnamese person, originating from the first lessons of respecting and supporting parents while they are alive and remembering them when they have passed away. Filial piety is the duty of every child, not just in a season or on a certain occasion. The Buddha taught: “Even if you carry your parents on your shoulders and circle Mount Sumeru for hundreds of thousands of lifetimes, you still cannot repay your parents’ kindness.”
Art performances with themes of filial piety and family affection
This teaching shows that, while we still have the opportunity, we must continue to show filial piety, because the kindness of our parents is something we can never repay. July is called “the season of filial piety” simply for everyone to review and remember this kindness, associated with the story of Muc Kien Lien saving his mother, a beautiful tradition passed down through many generations.
The atmosphere of the ceremony was solemn and respectful.
The most practical way to show filial piety at present is to do specific things to bring happiness to parents, both materially and spiritually. It can be providing necessary items with one's own efforts, taking care of parents when they are sick, or simply calling, talking, obeying and fulfilling their wishes regularly. No matter what they do, what parents need most is not material wealth, but a filial heart, unconditional love from their children. The love of parents for their children is also like that, never calculating, so the filial heart of children is the most important thing.
Children are brought to Vu Lan ceremony by their parents.
In addition, filial piety is also advising parents when they see them doing wrong things, helping them avoid creating bad karma. For young people who are also Buddhists, they will realize that all actions, words, and thoughts are based on the law of cause and effect. Therefore, advising parents to do good deeds and avoid evil deeds is a way to make parents happy not only in the present but also in the future. Although in life, there are still unfilial children, Buddhism believes that people always have good inside. Everyone has a hidden seed of filial piety, just need to be awakened, they can still change to be better every day.
Children are instructed to clasp their hands respectfully, showing filial piety and politeness.
Modern filial piety
For Ms. Le Thi Thuy Nga, in Minh Ha 1 area, Thanh Mieu ward, Viet Tri city, Vu Lan is not only a holiday season but also an opportunity for her family to bond and turn to their roots. She confided with eyes sparkling with joy: "Every year, I bring my children to the temple on this occasion. I hope my children will listen to lectures and share stories about the birth and upbringing of their grandparents and parents. From there, they will have a more filial heart and live a more loving life." Each story, each explanation about filial piety has planted seeds of kindness in the children's hearts, so that they understand that love and gratitude are not something far away, but start from their own home.
Le Thi Thuy Nga and her three children attended Vu Lan ceremony.
Feelings about filial piety are not just a story for adults. Nguyen Minh Tien, 15 years old, in Viet Tri ward, with a sincere face, confided: "Vu Lan is an occasion for me to go to the pagoda to pray for peace, hope that my parents live a long life, and be healthy. I really want to give my parents the best things." The boy's simple words simply express his love and gratitude for his parents. That is filial piety, cherishing the moments with family without having to wait for big holidays.
The teachings of the monks and the confessions of the people and Buddhists touched the hearts of those attending the ceremony.
Thus, “filial piety has no season” is not only a philosophy but also a way of life. Even the smallest actions in daily life, from a greeting, a handshake, or simply listening, being filial... each action is gratitude and boundless love. Vu Lan festival may pass, but filial piety remains forever, permeating and permeating every breath of life.
Thuy Trang
Source: https://baophutho.vn/cam-niem-vu-lan-bao-hieu-khong-co-mua-239243.htm
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