Vu Lan is not just a season

July arrives, and according to Buddhist tradition, it is the month of Vu Lan, a time for showing filial piety. The Vu Lan festival has become a major holiday, an opportunity for every child to express their gratitude to their parents. However, showing filial piety is not just a seasonal act, but a regular, daily practice. Therefore, Vu Lan is not just a season, but also a profound reminder of filial piety and love within the family.

Illustrative image.

The Vu Lan Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, originates from the story of Bodhisattva Mục Kiền Liên, one of the great disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni, who saved his mother from the realm of hungry ghosts through his filial piety. It has become one of the most important Buddhist festivals, a way to express gratitude for the kindness of one's parents.

When Buddhism was introduced to Vietnam, Vu Lan became a symbol of filial piety, aligning with the Vietnamese tradition of ancestor worship, and has been revered by the people for generations.

In reality, filial piety is a continuous process, not just a destination or a ceremonial obligation. Filial piety is not only expressed through material things, but more importantly, through emotional care. A warm meal, a phone call to inquire about their health, or holding their hand when they are old and frail are all acts of filial piety.

The essence of filial piety lies in the small, simple things in daily life. When children take the time to listen to their parents' stories, patiently explain things without complaining, that too is a way of showing filial piety. This is an expression of genuine respect and love, and it strengthens the bond between generations in the family.

In modern life, people are often busy with work, social relationships, or distant projects, sometimes forgetting those who have sacrificed their lives for them. We may spend hours browsing social media and chatting with friends, but we often fail to take a few minutes to call and check on our parents.

We readily spend money on luxuries, but sometimes forget to buy a small gift for our parents—a seemingly simple gesture that nonetheless holds deep affection and demonstrates thoughtful care.

Don't wait until your parents are old and frail, no longer mentally sharp, to regret not spending enough time with them. Don't wait until they pass away to regret not having expressed your love. Vu Lan is a season that reminds us that love is boundless and filial piety has no end. Showing gratitude originates from the heart and is expressed through simple, practical actions, stemming from small but meaningful gestures in daily life.

Let's turn every day of our lives into a Vu Lan Festival, so that love is always present, and filial piety never fades, because: "A father's love is like Mount Tai / A mother's love is like the water flowing from a spring / With one heart, we honor our mother and respect our father / To fulfill the duty of filial piety is the true path of a child."

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202509/vu-lan-khong-chi-la-mua-07a3fe4/