The Ceremony of peaceful Prayers, wishing longevity, releasing creatures at Dong Cao Pagoda in early 2023.

At 8:30 a.m., the Sangha came to the lecture hall to demonstrate the great ceremony praying for peace in the year of the Cat. The ceremony is witnessed by Junior Thich Tam Hung, Abbot of Dong Cao Pagoda, Junior Thich Tam Dao, Vice Abbot of Linh An Pagoda in Taiwan Junior Thich Tam Nghien, Novice Thich Tam Chan, and 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.

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 Tue Lien Huong represented elderly’s descendents with gratitude to the monks and Buddhists who organized this meaningful and emotional ceremony.

Next, the mass offered incense and recited the sutra of Eight-thing Enlightenment led by Junior Thich Tam Dao. After the chanting, the mass performed the ritual freeing creatures to express love to sentient beings.

At lunch, all attendees had almsgiving to all monks.

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

Next, the monks gave fortune pockets for the new year to the mass.

Dong Cao Pagoda announcement, will chant sutras until the end of January with a timetable:

4:00: chant mantra; 4:30: meditation sitting; 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: chanting sutra, Reciting the Buddha names, listen dharma. Hopefully, Buddhists arrange a time to visit the temple to chant sutras, listen to Dharma talks, and pray for a peaceful and healthy new year.

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