Buddhist celebrate Vu Lan Festival
VOV.VN - The Vu Lan Festival has opened on August 11 with thousands of Buddhist followers flocking to the Kim Son Pagoda Lac Hong to show their appreciation and gratitude for their parents and ancestors.
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The festival takes place annually on the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. |
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It is the second largest annual traditional festival of Vietnam right after the Tet Holiday and is commonly referred to as Vietnamese Mother’s Day. |
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On this day, followers of Buddhism visit pagodas and temples to worship ghosts and hungry spirits through offerings of food, clothes and other items, and release animals like birds or fish. |
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Apart from that, they give presents and flowers to their parents to show their respect. |
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On this day wandering souls are believed to return to their former homes. |
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“I miss my parents so much,” a woman said. |
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Wearing red and white roses is a traditional part of the celebration of the Vu Lan Festival. |
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Many wear roses on their shirts – red roses for those whose mothers are alive and white roses for those whose mothers who have passed. |
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The practice of wearing roses has been popular for around 50 years. It was inspired by a Japanese student’s presentation of a white carnation to Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh after hearing an essay he wrote about his deceased mother. |
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Young people wear red roses, indicating their mother is still alive. |
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Lotus lanterns are lit up at the ceremony. |
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Buddhist followers drop lotus lanterns as a way to show gratitude to their parents. |
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They also pray for a peaceful mind. |
