The atmosphere of the Vu Lan Festival is vibrant and lively.

In the sacred atmosphere of the Vu Lan season, temples across the country are bustling with meaningful activities, from the ritual of pinning roses on clothing and releasing lanterns to Buddhist sermons. More than just an occasion to express gratitude to parents, this year's Vu Lan also spreads the message of compassion and filial piety, contributing to the beautification of the Vietnamese people's tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source."

A large number of monks, nuns, Buddhists, and local people attended the Vu Lan festival at Quan Su Pagoda.

Live in a spirit of gratitude and repaying kindness.

These days, the atmosphere of the Vu Lan festival is spreading throughout every temple, creating a solemn and warm ambiance. In Hanoi , Phuc Khanh Pagoda is one of the gathering places for numerous monks, nuns, Buddhists, and people seeking to worship Buddha and pray for peace.

Among the crowd, Buddhist follower Nguyen Thi Man (76 years old) from Khuong Dinh ward (Hanoi) emotionally shared: “I have attended the Vu Lan festival at Phuc Khanh Pagoda for many years, but every year I feel deeply moved. This is not only an opportunity to remember the gratitude owed to parents but also to remind myself to live better, to do good deeds to repay my parents' kindness while they are still alive. For an elderly person like me, sitting at the temple gate, listening to the bells and scriptures on this day is truly a great comfort.”

The atmosphere of the Vu Lan festival is also enveloping Quan Su Pagoda, a major Buddhist center in the country. Not only do older people come here to express their gratitude during this season of filial piety, but many young people also consider this a special occasion to show their appreciation. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, 30 years old, from Vinh Hung ward (Hanoi), said that for the past few years, she has come to Quan Su Pagoda every Vu Lan festival to pray for peace. “The atmosphere is solemn yet intimate, making me feel relaxed and peaceful. Here, I get to listen to the chanting of scriptures and hear the monks preach about filial piety. The Vu Lan festival reminds me to care for and love my parents more.”

Filial piety during the Vu Lan festival has long been a cultural and religious practice of the Vietnamese people.

Located more than 100 kilometers from the capital, Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ninh Binh province was also filled with a solemn atmosphere on the occasion of the Vu Lan festival. The Vu Lan filial piety ceremony here took place with many solemn rituals such as chanting prayers for the deceased, releasing lanterns, and offering incense to commemorate the gratitude owed to parents and heroic martyrs.

In addition, many provinces and cities across the country, such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Quang Ninh , etc., also simultaneously organized Vu Lan Festival programs with many rich activities: Buddhist Dharma lectures, Buddhist arts performances, the ritual of pinning roses on clothing, releasing floating lanterns to pray for the souls of heroic martyrs and for national peace and prosperity...

Filial piety illuminates the human heart.

This year's Vu Lan Festival takes place in the context of the whole country commemorating the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2nd, further highlighting the spirit of gratitude and filial piety not only to parents and grandparents but also to those who have sacrificed for the Fatherland.

In particular, many temples collaborate with local authorities to organize activities to care for war veterans, families of policy beneficiaries, and support those in difficult circumstances. Programs such as giving charitable gifts and scholarships to poor students are integrated into these events, demonstrating the spirit of "good life, beautiful faith" that Buddhism always strives for.

Buddhists go to the temple during the Vu Lan season.

Venerable Thich Minh Duc (Phuc Khanh Pagoda) shared that every year during the Vu Lan festival, Buddhist disciples express their gratitude and repay their kindness to their ancestors, grandparents, and parents, upholding the principle of "Drinking water, remember the source; eating fruit, remember the person who planted the tree."

According to Venerable Thich Minh Duc, the Vu Lan Festival in 2025, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2nd, further amplifies the joy of Buddhists. Venerable Thich Minh Duc stated that this is a special time for every Buddhist to practice filial piety and honor the tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source." Following the example of the Buddha, taking filial piety as the fundamental virtue, "a filial heart is a Buddha's heart," during these days Buddhists not only remember their ancestors, grandparents, and parents, but also pray for the souls of heroic martyrs, fellow citizens, and all sentient beings. Buddhists are reminded to live "a good life and a beautiful path," adhering to the motto "Buddhism - Nation - Socialism," and striving for true, good, and beautiful values ​​in life.

Thus, it can be seen that in modern life, the Vu Lan festival is not only a Buddhist ritual but also a beautiful cultural tradition, reminding people to live with compassion and gratitude. The spirit of filial piety and gratitude is expressed not only through prayers at the temple but also through practical actions of caring for loved ones and sharing with the community.

According to cultural researcher Minh Dao - Hong Chau Cultural Heritage Branch (Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association), the Buddhist Vu Lan festival has long been intertwined with the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people, closely linked to the tradition of filial piety, the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source," and the custom of worshiping on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. This is an opportunity for each child to practice filial piety towards their parents and grandparents, while also remembering and expressing gratitude to their ancestors, forefathers, national heroes, and martyrs. He believes that, integrated into Vietnamese culture, Vu Lan has become a major festival, considered the "filial piety" of the nation. The spirit of Vu Lan is present in every household, in community life, and in guiding the preservation of social morality.

Researcher Minh Dao also noted that when participating in the Vu Lan festival, people should avoid superstition and exploiting religious beliefs for personal gain. At the same time, they should maintain solemnity and reverence so that the festival truly becomes a time to spread positive values.

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Source: https://baolaocai.vn/ron-rang-khong-khi-le-vu-lan-post881443.html