Vietnam Buddhist Academy holds celebrations to mark Vu Lan Festival
VOV.VN - The Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Hanoi hosted thousands of Buddhist followers as they gathered between August 11-13 to celebrate the Vu Lan Festival, also known as the All Souls Festival, which runs annually on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month.
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| The Vu Lan Festival is not simply a national event, as it also takes place in other Asian countries. The event is one of Buddhism’s largest festivals and is a special occasion in which people can express their gratitude as well as show their appreciation for their parents and ancestors. |
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| In preparation for the event, the Vietnam Buddhist Academy is well decorated. |
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| Approximately 600 monks and nuns, along with thousands of other Buddhists, take part in the celebration hosted by the Vietnam Buddhist Academy. |
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| The seventh lunar month is considered to be an unlucky month and is sometimes referred to as the ghost month during which there are plenty of things one should avoid . |
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| To mark the Vu Lan Festival, Buddhist followers pay visits to pagodas and temples in order to worship the ghosts and make offerings to hungry spirits. Items such as food and clothes are offered, whilst animals such as birds and fish are released along with lotus lanterns as participants show gratitude to their parents. |
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| Lotus lanterns are a source of light during the ceremony. |
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| Festival goers prepare to drop lotus lanterns into a river as a way of showing gratitude to their parents. |
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| Participants follow the tradition of wearing roses whilst enjoying the Vu Lan Festival’s celebrations. |
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