Day of Sincerity
There's a folk saying, "Praying to Buddha all year round is not as good as praying on the full moon of the first lunar month," because this is the time of year when the moon is fullest and brightest according to Buddhist beliefs. Therefore, temples and places of worship usually welcome a large number of visitors from all over to pray for blessings and peace. Following her family's "tradition," this year Mrs. Lam Thi Tuyet (residing in Vinh My ward, Chau Doc city) went to the temple with her children and grandchildren on the full moon of the first lunar month. As usual, she tried to visit "ten temples," praying for peace for her family, with the belief in a prosperous and successful year. At 75 years old, she has no greater wish than to see her family peaceful and happy, her children and grandchildren prosperous and joyful.
Visiting temples on the full moon of the first lunar month is a beautiful tradition of the Vietnamese people.
“A few years ago, I asked my children and grandchildren to take me to several temples far away in Nha Bang (Tinh Bien town), both to worship Buddha and to stroll around. This year, my health isn't good, so I'm going to temples near home for convenience. Normally, I don't visit so many temples, but I have to make the effort during the full moon of the first lunar month, because it's the biggest full moon of the year,” Mrs. Tuyet shared.
During Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), Mr. Tran Van Dung (residing in My Duc commune, Chau Phu district) mainly visits relatives, receives guests, and worships his ancestors. Only on the full moon day does his family go to the temple to pray to Buddha. On other full moon days of the year, he might "forget" to observe vegetarianism, but he definitely remembers to do so on the full moon day of the first lunar month.
Featured Activities
Besides visiting temples, Vietnamese people also prepare offerings to Heaven, Buddha, and other deities on the full moon night of the first lunar month. The offerings, including incense, flowers, tea, and fruit, are arranged solemnly, expressing reverence for the supernatural beings and wishing for a peaceful and prosperous new year for all families. In addition to decorating with flags and banners, temples organize many unique and meaningful religious activities, such as prayers for peace and prayers for the deceased.
For various sectors and localities, the full moon of the first lunar month is also a time to organize meaningful activities, honoring the cultural traditions of the nation and attracting a large number of people to participate. For example, the People's Committee of An Hao commune (Tinh Bien town) coordinated with the Town's Economic Department and the Management Board of Cam Mountain Tourist Area to organize the first Thien Cam Son Lantern Festival in 2025 at Thuy Liem Lake on the evening of February 15th (the 18th day of the first lunar month).
These floating lanterns symbolize the aspiration for national peace and prosperity.
According to Nguyen Hung Cuong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of An Hao commune: “The Thien Cam Son Lantern Festival aims to honor the traditional cultural values of the nation, introduce to tourists the image of the homeland, people, and natural vegetarian cuisine of the That Son region. Through this, it creates a highlight in the religious thinking of tourists when they come to Cam Son mountain during the full moon of the first lunar month. At the same time, it contributes to promoting local socio-economic development. The festival is organized with many unique activities, including: enjoying vegetarian cuisine, cultural performances, prayers for peace - releasing lanterns… promising to bring sacred moments, rich in Buddhist culture, for people and tourists from near and far to enjoy.”
Borrowing the image of the pure lotus flower combined with the shimmering candlelight, symbolizing the wisdom of the Buddha, these lanterns represent prayers for national peace and prosperity, world peace and tranquility, and a life of abundance and well-being for the people. This is a unique event on Mount Cam, enriching the religious life of Buddhists and the people of An Giang during the full moon of the first lunar month this year.
From the perspective of Buddhist beliefs, the full moon of the first lunar month has truly become a beautiful cultural aspect in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. Therefore, no matter where they go, people still remember the full moon of the first lunar month as an occasion to find peace, renew faith and love for life, and create motivation for the journey ahead.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/van-hoa/ram-xuan-a414961.html
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