Sparkling 'flower lantern festival' celebrating Buddha's birthday at Phap Hoa pagoda

Sparkling "flower lantern festival" celebrating Buddha's birthday at Phap Hoa pagoda.

According to the Organizing Committee, about 6,000 lanterns have been prepared and distributed free of charge to participants. Each lantern is a place to send prayers for health, peace and happiness. After writing wishes for themselves or their loved ones on the lanterns, people and Buddhists will release the lanterns into the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal, creating a shimmering, magical scene stretching along the canal bank.

People came very early in front of Phap Hoa Pagoda.

Young people, Buddhists and locals lined up neatly, holding the colorful lanterns in their hands. Everyone’s face shone with reverence and hope as they wrote their wishes on each lantern.

People and Buddhists pass flower lanterns down to boats for the organizers to release into the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal.

The lantern festival is not only an occasion to commemorate the birth of Buddha Shakyamuni but also an opportunity for the community to spread the message of love, kindness and peaceful living. The light from the small lanterns symbolizes wisdom, compassion and faith in the good things in life.

Thousands of colorful lanterns float gently on Nhieu Loc canal, reflecting warm light onto the water in the dark night.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai (29 years old, living in Binh Thanh district) shared: “I have attended the lantern releasing ceremony at Phap Hoa pagoda for many years. Every time I release a lantern, I feel lighter. It is a moment I dedicate to praying for my family and reflecting on the past.”

As for Tran Minh Khoa (21 years old), attending this lantern festival for the first time was an unforgettable experience: “The atmosphere at the temple is very solemn but also very warm. I feel the connection between people through those sparkling lights.”

Thousands of colorful lanterns float gently on Nhieu Loc canal, reflecting warm light onto the water in the dark night.

The shimmering lights from thousands of flower lanterns are released onto the banks of Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal.

The lantern releasing ceremony does not discriminate against age, religion or status; anyone can participate and share their most sincere aspirations. This ceremony becomes an opportunity to connect people with each other through sincerity and belief in good values. For many people, the lantern festival at Phap Hoa Pagoda is not only a religious ritual but also an opportunity to find peace in the heart of a bustling city.

Photo series: Memory/News and Ethnic Newspaper

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/anh/lung-linh-dem-hoi-hoa-dang-mung-le-phat-dan-tai-chua-phap-hoa-20250509212914451.htm