Saturday, 04/18/2026
The flower lantern ceremony commemorating Buddha Amitabha at Dong Cao Pagoda - Thanh Hoa
Update: 05/01/2018
On the January 3rd , 2018 evening (November 17th of Rooster Year), in the mid-winter cold atmosphere filled with nation-wide Buddhists' joy towards Buddha Amitabha's Birthday celebration, Dong Cao Pagoda held the flower lantern ceremony commemorating the Buddha Amitabha in the profound and sacred respect, a great number of Buddhists gathered at the pagoda to attend the flower lantern ceremony night.
After the music performances from singers in Ho Chi Minh City and Thanh Hoa Province, who depict the Buddhist doctrines and the nation. At 19: 30, three series strong and moving Pragna bell and drum sound respectfully officially started the ceremony, welcoming every single step of mindfulness of the monks towards the rostrum.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Junior Venerable Thich Minh Chi - Deputy chief cum Chief Secretary of the Committee of Buddhist Director Board in Kim Son District; Ninh Binh Province; Junior Venerable Thich Minh Huy - the ceremonial head of the Committee of Buddhist Director Board of Yen Khanh District, Ninh Binh Province, Abbot of the pagoda neighborhood 5, Yen Khanh District, Ninh Binh Province; Junior Venerable Thich Tam Dai - Abbot of Lam Phap Pagoda, Lam Dong Province, Junior Venerable Thich Tam Hiep - monk of Hoang Phap Monastery, Ho Chi Minh City. Nun Thich Nu Ngoc Khiet - Head of Social Charity Board of the Committee of Buddhist Director Board Nga Son District, nuns of Tien Pagoda, Thanh Hoa Province - Abbot of Huyen Thien Pagoda, Ninh Binh Province.
After the announcement of reasons and the introduction, Junior Venerable Thich Tam Hung - Head of Organizing Committee of the ceremony addressed the speech to open the flower lantern ceremony commemorating Buddha Amitabha.
When the Buddhists were longing for the start of the ceremony, the main part of the ceremonial night began. The respectable monks and the whole audience gravely lit the candles of wisdom and mercy, praying for a peaceful world where happy people will be dwelling. In light music, Junior Venerable Thich Minh Chi received the light from the Buddha's altar and passed it on to the Junior Venerable Abbot and the monks and finally to the Buddhists. 'Candles to candles, mind to mind' - the candles symbolize wisdom and the truth, dispelling stupidity and ignorance; the candles of knowledge and compassion, shining people's life, lighting belief and hope.
Under the sky filled with millions of sparkling stars, the light from hundreds of glistening candles entwined with spreading wisp of smoke brought about a peaceful and wholesome atmosphere in the middle of the mundane world. When the light spread out to the whole ceremonial yard, the Buddhists, with great respect, faced the imposing and purified statue, listening to Junior Venerable Thich Tam Dai, who read 48 great wishes of the Buddha Amitabha and the attendants all chanted the holy name 'Namo Amitabha' after every wish.
The Board of ceremonial directors, Junior Venerable Thich Tam Hung encouraged the Buddhists to practice gratitude and grace. To do that, Buddhists ought to practice 'Three Merits of peaceful karma', mentioned in Longevity Sutra, doing good deeds, accumulating merits so they can be born into the Pure Land. If so, they will not only achieve the ideology of self-cultivation but also be able to instruct others' cultivation for the purpose of self-enlightenment and escape.
The ceremony ended in joy of all the attendants.
The recored photographs are as follows:
Translated into English by Nguyen Minh Thuy Tien