New Year's Prayer Ceremony at Dong Cao Pagoda - Thanh Hoa

Whenever Spring came, the habit of going to pagodas at the year’s beginning besides entertainment activities has become a Vietnamese cultural beauty.

In the year's beginning of the rite, Dong Cao Pagoda will chant sutras until the end of January with a timetable (4:00: meditation; 8:00: reciting kshitigarbha sutra; 10:00: offering meal to Buddha; 14:00: Chanting Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra, 16:00 p.m: offering Food to spirits; 19:30: Reciting the Buddha names). Because the Covid-19 epidemic is still present, the ceremony was held briefly and ensured for disease prevention and control.

 

Dong Cao Pagoda in Thanh Hoa solemnly celebrated the ceremony praying for peace in the morning of Feb. 06th, 2022. In the ceremony, there was a rite to wish a long life to elders, and then offer food for the dead so that Buddhists attend.

Before the ceremony, the mass recited the Buddha's name by Junior Thich Tam Bien led reading sutra and performed the ritual freeing creatures under the guidance of Junior ThichTam Hung.

At 9:30 a.m., the Sangha came to the lecture hall to demonstrate the great ceremony praying for peace in the year of the Tiger. The ceremony is witnessed by Junior Thich Tam Hung, Abbot of Dong Cao Pagoda, Junior Thich Tam Dieu, Junior Thich Tam Bien, Junior Thich Tam Ngon, monks at Hoang Phap Pagoda of HCMC.

After offering incense to the Buddha and chanting sutra, Mc Lien Hien invited the monks to teach the Dharma about the meaning of the ceremony of praying for peace at the year’s beginning. Praying for peace in the new year is held so that all of us can sincerely repent of our sins, eliminate karma, give up evil, and perform good deeds, such as releasing creatures, giving alms, making offerings to the Three Jewels... At the same time, we will dedicate this merit to family and relatives having a peaceful and happy life.

Continuing the program is the celebration of 15 Buddhists over 60 years old. On behalf of the Venerables and their families, the Abbot gave gifts as a wish for the elderly. After that, Ms Mai Thi Lien represented elderly’s descendents with gratitude to the monks and Buddhists who organized this meaningful and emotional ceremony.

Next, the monks, on behalf of Most Abbot of Hoang Phap Pagoda, HCMC gave fortune pockets for the new year to the mass.

At the end of the ceremony, there was a rite to offer to souls performed by Venerable Abbot.

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