Ceremony of Ullambana and Filial Piety at An Phap Pagoda – Nghe An Province

On Aug 12th, 2016 (July 10th, lunar calendar), the Ullambana ceremony was organized at Can Mon (An Phap) Pagoda, Tan Phong Quarter, Quynh Phuong Ward, Hoang Mai town, Nghe An province.

 The  witnesses at the ceremony included: Ven. Thich Tam Thanh, deputy secretary cum chief of Nghe An Buddhist Executive Board Secretariat; Ven. Thich Minh Hai, deputy secretary and deputy chief of Nghe An Buddhist Executive Board Secretariat, Ven. Thich Tam Hieu, the abbot of Can Mon Pagoda, the head of organizing board, and the Sangha.

 

 At the ceremony, the Venerable Abbot recommended the great mass that they should practice mindfulness to acknowledge the greatest happiness in life. Further more, he gave some advice to the participants, especially those whose parents are still alive. that they should esteem the   period when living with their parents and try to bring them as many joys via acts of filial piety as possible. However, according to Buddhism, pious children are not only those who give material supplies and show reverence to their parents but also introduce Buddhism to them and help them take refuge in Triratna, creating opportunities for them to do donations and pay homage to Triratna, leave behind evils, carry out good deeds. Their merits and longevity certainly increase by such praiseworthy actions and enjoy happiness and blessings both in this life and the after-lives. Ullambana ceremony carries a sacred and noble meaning. It reminds children of the debts of gratitude they owe to their parents, inspires the spirit of filial piety which is esteemed and encouraged for ages. The fact is that honoring and revering parents have become a moral standard for Vietnamese as well as Buddhist code of ethics because Buddhism is a belief of filial piety practice.

 

Following are some recorded photographs: