DIEN BIEN – Many Buddhists traveled over 200 km to attend the Vu Lan ceremony at Linh Quang Pagoda, the largest temple in the northwestern mountainous provinces, bordering Laos.

On the morning of August 7, Buddhists from many places came to attend the Vu Lan ceremony at Linh Quang pagoda (Thanh Nua commune, Dien Bien district). The pagoda is located about 5 km from the center of Dien Bien Phu, 12 km from the Laos border.

In the main hall, Buddhists were packed to listen to lectures on the meaning of Vu Lan and the Rose lapel ceremony. Many people have traveled more than 200 km to come here.

Each person has a Buddhist scripture in their hand.

Thai and Kinh Buddhists join hands to pray during the ceremony. Dien Bien has 19 ethnic groups, of which the Thai account for nearly 38% (after the Kinh and the Mong).

The seventh lunar month , known as Vu Lan’s filial piety month, originates from the story of Muc Kien Lien saving his mother more than 2,500 years ago. Following the example of filial piety of the false religious Muc Kien Lien, everyone gives love and affection to their family and loved ones.

Master Thich Nhuan Thanh, Standing Member of the Executive Board, Head of the Department of Dissemination of the Buddhist Church in Dien Bien Province, held a ceremony and lectured on the meaning of Vu Lan Day.

“If you only have one father or mother, accept the pink flower and put it on your left chest. Pink reminds us to remember our roots, because it is like the blood in our hearts that our parents have distilled for us, But if your parents have gone far away, and you will never have the opportunity to hold tightly the wrinkled hands, the sad distant eyes of the mother, the hoarse or scolding voice of the mother. Father, please accept the white flower…”, Mr. Thanh said.

Ms. Duong Thi Thom, a Thai ethnic group in Muong Nhe district commune (200 km from Dien Bien city) was touched when listening to a lecture about the meaning of the Vu Lan festival. She and more than 10 relatives every year are present at the temple early to attend the ceremony, only to catch the car home the next day.

Each Buddhist is placed on his chest a flower to show his respect to his parents.

In addition to red and white flowers, the pagoda also has yellow roses, representing the color of Buddhism, representing liberation, fertility and wisdom.

Lace-up roses are prepared by the temple during the ceremony.

In 1962, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh wrote a book called The Rose Lace Up . It was the above story of the Zen master that was the starting point for the ritual of roses in the Vu Lan season. The rose is considered a symbol of love and nobility, so when putting a rose on the chest is the most beautiful sentiment, the word Hieu that children send to their parents.

Each family with a deceased relative will write their name on the cards and tablets and then recite the scriptures together.

After more than 3 hours, the sound of drums resounded to end the Vu Lan ceremony.

According to Venerable Thich Nhuan Thanh, Dien Bien province has many ethnic people from far away attend, so the ceremony was made short and easy to understand so that everyone could arrange a time to attend.

Vu Lan festival in Dien Bien province will take place from August 10 to 15 in many different communes. Linh Quang is the largest temple in the Northwest mountainous provinces. On a great day, the temple can welcome more than 1,000 Buddhists.

Photo: Internet