Every day of filial piety

Vu Lan, once a Buddhist holiday, has now become widely popular among the people. It is an occasion for everyone to show their respect to their parents, reminding us to slow down, put aside the hustle and bustle of life, take time to reflect, act and love our parents more, so that every day is a Vu Lan day of filial piety.

The monks of Tu Van pagoda, Bach Thuan commune (Vu Thu) preach the good values of Buddhism to young people.

Although she is over 80 years old, every year on Vu Lan festival, Mrs. Tran Thi Gai, Chien Thang village, Bach Thuan commune (Vu Thu) arranges time to go to the pagoda to chant sutras and pray for her deceased parents and grandparents.

Ms. Gai shared: Usually I go alone, but sometimes I bring my grandchildren with me, hoping that through the stories, confidences, and lessons about the sacrifices of parents for their children conveyed by the monks and Buddhists in the temple, the children will better understand the gratitude of their parents for giving birth and raising them, and feel the happiness of having their parents by their side. From there, the children will be good, listen to their parents, and become useful citizens. At home, on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, I often prepare incense, flowers, and offerings with my children and grandchildren to present at the altar of grandparents and ancestors to remember, show gratitude, and remind them to always remember their roots and appreciate what they have, and be filial to their parents.

Rose pinning ceremony at Tu Xuyen pagoda, Hoang Dieu ward, Thai Binh city.

According to nun Thich Dam An, abbot of Tu Van pagoda, Bach Thuan commune (Vu Thu): To meet the spiritual needs of Buddhists, every year in the 7th lunar month, the pagoda organizes a mass for the souls of the deceased. This year, the pagoda organized a mass for 3 days with over 1,000 families registering to pray for the deceased. On this occasion, the pagoda actively propagates the good values of Buddhism, including filial piety that Buddhism always promotes and wants to transmit to everyone: "Of all virtues, filial piety comes first. Of all sins, unfilial piety is the most serious sin" in order to contribute to building harmonious and good relationships in society.

Just like Tu Van Pagoda, it has become a tradition that every year on the occasion of Vu Lan festival, But Moc Pagoda, Quynh Bao Commune (Quynh Phu) organizes for Buddhists to chant sutras to pray for the living parents, and to pray for the salvation of deceased parents, grandparents, and ancestors. In addition, the pagoda also organizes a rose pinning ceremony.

Venerable Thich Nhuan Tam, abbot of the pagoda, said: Through the rose pinning ceremony, we aim to arouse and remind each child to show respect to their parents; especially those who still have parents, they must cherish the days they have with their parents to care for and love them.

Ms. Tran Thi Lan, Thuong Cam village, Vu Lac commune (Thai Binh city) shared: Although I can no longer pin the bright red rose on my chest symbolizing the boundless happiness of having both father and mother, every time the pink rose is pinned on my chest, I sincerely pray for my father in the other world to be reincarnated; at the same time, I do not forget to remind myself to spend more time taking care of and supporting my mother.

Trinh Thi Thu Trang, Binh Minh village, Bach Thuan commune (Vu Thu) confided: Every time I participate in the rose pinning ceremony, I feel very emotional and burst into tears when I think of my parents. Besides the tears of gratitude, there are also tears of regret for having disobeyed my parents and made them sad. After listening to the teachers' teachings, I always remind myself to study well to make my parents happy. In addition, I will diligently help my parents more with the smallest things like housework.

According to Venerable Thich Thanh An, Deputy Head of the Provincial Buddhist Sangha Executive Committee: Vu Lan is one of the sacred and noble holidays of Buddhism. This is an opportunity for people to express their gratitude to their parents, so this day always receives a lot of attention from the people. From the beginning of the 7th lunar month, monasteries in the province have organized Vu Lan ceremonies for Buddhists and people. Depending on the conditions of each monastery, the scale of Vu Lan ceremonies is different. Besides, Vu Lan is also an occasion for Buddhists to return to their roots, to the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source" of the nation. Therefore, on the occasion of Vu Lan, in addition to praying for the ancestors to be in a pure land, wishing for the peace of their parents, monks, nuns and Buddhists also participate in prayers for national peace and prosperity, and for heroic martyrs to show gratitude to their ancestors who died for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.

A large number of Buddhists and people participated in the prayer ceremony on the occasion of Vu Lan festival at Tu Van pagoda, Bach Thuan commune (Vu Thu).

Dao Quyen

Source