During the Vu Lan festival season, monks, nuns, Buddhists, and people of Ha Tinh province flock to temples to celebrate this important and sacred Buddhist holiday. Along with the meticulous organization at the temples, every contribution from the people and Buddhists makes for a truly meaningful Vu Lan festival.
Preparations for the Vu Lan festival at Pho Do Pagoda have been completed.
Ahead of the main Vu Lan Festival (12th day of the seventh lunar month), at Pho Do Pagoda (Ho Do commune, Loc Ha district), a large number of Buddhists participated in tasks such as decorating the altar, setting up the stage, and organizing the memorial service. Despite the large workload, everyone was joyful because they were able to contribute to making the Vu Lan Festival a meaningful one.
Venerable Thich Hanh Minh, Abbot of Pho Do Pagoda, said: “Originating from the story of Bodhisattva Mục Kiền Liên's great filial piety in rescuing his mother from the realm of hungry ghosts in Buddhism, the Vu Lan Festival of Filial Piety has become a beautiful traditional cultural feature of the Vietnamese people. This is an occasion to remind everyone of the gratitude owed to their ancestors, grandparents, and parents for their upbringing and to express gratitude to those who have contributed to the country, demonstrating the principle of 'Drinking water, remember the source' - a beautiful cultural feature of the Vietnamese nation.”
Phổ Độ Pagoda is ready to host the Vu Lan Festival in 2023.
It is known that from the beginning of the seventh lunar month, Pho Do Pagoda had planned and organized many activities leading up to the Vu Lan Festival. Accordingly, from the 1st to the 11th of the seventh lunar month, at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, the pagoda held ceremonies to pray for the souls of ancestors and deceased relatives of Buddhist families.
On July 11th, the temple organizes the Vu Lan festival, expressing gratitude to parents and holding various other activities. Afterwards, the temple will organize charitable activities to help disadvantaged families in Ho Do commune.
Ms. Lan (far right) came to Pho Do Pagoda to recite scriptures, perform a memorial service for her deceased relatives, and help the pagoda prepare for the grand ceremony.
Ms. Le Thi Lan (Thach Long commune, Thach Ha district) said: “Every year, during the Vu Lan festival, I go to Pho Do Pagoda to recite scriptures, perform rituals to pray for the souls of my deceased relatives, and help the pagoda with preparations for the grand ceremony. This is also a way for me to express my gratitude and filial piety to my parents, praying for their health and for the safety of my family and descendants.”
Not only at Pho Do Pagoda, but throughout Ha Tinh province, many activities related to the Vu Lan filial piety festival have been and are being organized. This is the core of Vietnamese culture, embodying the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source," which our people have preserved and promoted.
At Giai Lam Pagoda (Tan Lam Huong commune, Thach Ha district), about a week before the main festival (the 12th day of the seventh lunar month), the atmosphere of preparation for the Vu Lan Festival is bustling with various activities. Buddhists have come to the pagoda to decorate, clean, and complete many tasks in preparation for the main festival. Many people come to the pagoda to light incense, pray, and ask for the souls of the deceased, and to pray for blessings for their families and loved ones.
Venerable Thich Tam Luc, from the Giai Lam Pagoda Management Board, stated: “People often call the seventh lunar month the ‘month of wandering souls,’ however, we need to consider the profound thinking of the Vietnamese people and Buddhism throughout history, which has brought about a humane beauty in the seventh month – the Vu Lan festival. This is an occasion to turn towards our roots, reminding descendants of filial piety and respect for their grandparents and ancestors. For those who still have their parents, the Vu Lan festival is an opportunity to better understand filial piety, thereby caring for and building a warm and harmonious family. As for those who no longer have the protection and love of their parents, they should strive to practice diligently and accumulate much merit and good deeds.”
The final preparations for the Vu Lan festival at Giai Lam Pagoda have been completed.
According to the schedule, on the main day of the Vu Lan festival, activities such as pinning roses, expressing gratitude, and repenting at Giai Lam Pagoda will help Buddhists find moments of reflection, find peace with their parents, and emphasize the duty of a Buddhist to their parents. The Vu Lan festival will be held solemnly and peacefully, without the burning of votive paper.
On this occasion, all temples in Ha Tinh simultaneously held ceremonies to pray for the souls of the deceased, the ancestors of families, and the heroic martyrs…
Buddhists decorate for the Vu Lan festival at Tuong Son Pagoda.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong (Pho Chau town, Huong Son district) shared: “Every year on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, I always dedicate time to go to Tuong Son Pagoda (Son Giang commune) to help the pagoda prepare for the Vu Lan festival. Through the sermons, scriptures, Dharma talks, and lighting candles of gratitude and pinning red roses for parents, I and many others feel peaceful and serene.”
The Vu Lan Festival, a time for showing filial piety, has arrived. This is a cultural tradition reflecting the moral virtue of filial piety in Buddhism. With meticulous and large-scale organization at temples, every contribution from the people and Buddhist followers will make this Vu Lan Festival a truly meaningful and fulfilling occasion. It also serves as a daily and hourly reminder for everyone to be mindful of their responsibilities, educating people, especially the younger generation, about the importance of filial devotion.
Thuy Anh
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