The ceremony of ancestors’ rebirth supporting, flower lanterns’ release praying for the nation’s property and people’s peace at Hoa Phuc Pagoda in Hanoi Capital.

Lunar July coming, it is the time of pious gratitude – Ullambana - in solar and lunar harmony so that we feel of the filial spirit. Mixing the gratitude spirit of four grace gratitude in Buddhism and the pious in the Vietnamese’s national tradition one, on lunar July 21st, Rooster of Year, (solar Sep. 17th, 2017) Hoa Phuc pagoda at Hoa Thach Commune, Quoc Oai Distric, Ha Noi Capital officially organized the rite of ancestor’s rebirth praying, flower lantern’s release praying for nation ’s wealth, people’s happiness and peace.

Witnessing and supporting the rite include such deputies as Venerable Sanghas - the Buddha‘smissions in merit to Hoa Phuc pagoda as well as 2000 Buddhists. While the weather was transferring on the last days of month, it was the time that the house of four grace gratitude has been finished after many constructing months at Hoa Phuc pagoda. This is the place of statue located Bodhi Sattava Ksihitigarbha, God of mountain, nine Lords and thirteen kings of Nguyen dynasty and all the souls of three realms, six transforming pheres. On this occasion, the pagoda ’s monks and Buddhists respectfully invited Venerable Sanghas to celebrate the rite of locating the statues. In the hope to be refuged on the Sanghas vows ability after three months of restraining mind and body, reviewing dharma precepts, practicing sutra’s nurture on the time of summer retreat of Buddhism calendar in 2017.

Next, Buddhists solemnly clasped their hands like the lotus shape that showed to make a shift platform for vowing the souls’ rebirth, prepare formal offerings, so that venerable would instruct Buddhists chanting the sutra: “The vows of Bodhisattvas Ksihitigarbha.” The light and short preaching speech of Senior Thich Thien Nghiem helped sacredly and meaningfully to the ceremony. In the afternoon of same day, all Buddhists listened to a dharma talk by Senior Ven. Thich Giac Nguyen on the theme “The Significance of Rebirth Praying Rite.”

All of his speech, that is three methods of Rebirth Praying that the Buddha preached in the Ullambana sutra. Indeed, the Senior Ven. sincerely reminded Buddhists to engrave and remember four grace gratitudes. Those are the things all of us who ought to know their repaying such as, the gratitude of parents who gave a birth to us, getting our body. Second, the gratitude of Triaratna  - Masters who supports our knowledge, instructed all of us doing good deeds, bringing up our spirit. Third, the ones of nation and society, it helps our existence; the leaders have given us a weathy and peaceful country. Due to those noble ones, all of the honor ones above, they give us a peaceful mind. So, we should repay, share, and sympathize to all people - the one of various beings who supported our receiving on this life.

From the Senior Ven.’s preaching speech, Buddhists understood  more about the base and meaning of Ullambana ceremony as well as real deeds and the most practical actions which express gratitude mind and filial piety to ancestors, gaining perfect and solemn merit.

After the preaching time the Most Ven., Senior Ven., Junior Ven., celebrated the rite “Praying for anscestors’ Rebirth, rebandon of flower lanters to pray for secure nation, peaceful people. The ceremony was more special   and solemn when the mass reserved a quiet minute to remember the simple heroes who had sacrified their young life for the country at battles, fires, mountains, etc, in their young age.

 Before ending the ceremony, Junior Ven. Thich Tam Hoa, Abbot of pagoda had thanking words to all Venerables.

Thanks to Buddha power, Dharma power, Sangha vowing superpower, etc., which helped all beings get good conditions, lead their mind to the Triratna. The Junior Ven. also thanked to the Buddhists’ merit inside and outside pagoda who donated materials and spirits to support the ceremony successfully.  

  Below are some photos from the event: 

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