The Great Ullambana Ceremony 2023 at Minh Chat ashram, Can Tho

On Sep. 03th, 2023, at Minh Chat ashram (Can Tho province) managed by Junior Thich Tam Hue held The Great Ullambana Ceremony 2023 and released creatures on Hau River with hundreds of Buddhists to attend.

After breakfast, the monks guided Buddhists in the demeanor to fold hands, prostrate; how to walk, recite Buddha's name, and offer a meal for lunch.

In the solemn atmosphere at 9:00 am, male and female Buddhists welcomed the Sangha entering the main hall to witness and celebrate the great ceremony.

Demonstrating the ceremony was the presence of Senior Thich Phuoc Thanh, Head of Director Board of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), Abbot of Avalokitesvara temple, Hau Giang; Senior Thich Thong Hanh – Vice of Standing Board of VBS in Hau Giang province, Abbot of Long An pagoda, Hau Giang; Monks of Hoang Phap pagoda and Buddhists in Minh Chat ashram with the good men and believing women in the Can Tho city.

After declaring the reason, introduction of participants, Buddhist Dieu Le read the meaning of setting rose flowers to all attendees.

Then, the mass had a minute of silence to remember the great grace of the Buddhas, the teacher's education, and the grace of parents, the gratitude of the country, sentient beings of all kinds.

Following the program is the ritual of setting roses. The young in the flower pinning team dignifiedly put a yellow rose on the monk’s robe, symbolizing the noble deliverance and gratitude of the monk to his parents. After that, Buddhists received roses and put them on their chests in the sacred feelings of remembering the parents’ heart.

Next, the masses solemnly direct their thoughts to their parents, offering thanks for their kindness with all sincerity.

Obeying the Buddha's teachings with sincerity and respect, following the Arhat Maudgalyayana example, Buddhists prepared for monks’ robes. Then, little Ngoc Nha in the children's team offered robes to the Sangha.

Senior Thich Phuoc Thanh was delighted and moved by the image of children offering solemn and respectful robes. He taught: "Even though kids are young, but know Three Jewels, and follow Arhat Maudgalyayana ‘s filial example." He encouraged them to study well to be filial to their parents. On behalf of the monks, the Senior happily accepted the offerings and had words of dharma to all attendees. We need to pay attention to the young, nursing their morality with Buddha's teachings so that Buddha Dharma can become more and more popular and everyone can benefit and be peaceful.

Living filial piety, cherishing happiness while parents are still present by specific actions, each person needs to respect, care for, love and not destroy themselves, not make their parents sad. Siblings in the family live in harmony, so that every day is the day of Ullambana.

After the Senior's preaching, the masses together chanted the Ullambana sutra.

Contributing to the success of the program was the performance of lyrics, and singing by singer Thanh Tung

Junior Thich Tam Hue paid his gratitude to two the Senior, Monks of Hoang Phap Pagoda, and Buddhists everywhere regardless of the distance, who came to the ashram to support the great Ceremony to have a successful result.

Last, Junior Thich Tam Hue gave 100 gifts to difficult people in Cai Khe ward, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho. The total of 100 gifts is 29,000,000 VND, including: rice, vegetarian noodles, cooking oil, Buddha necklaces, and string of beads. In addition, each attendee was given a Dharma gift including: the book Last Words for Each Other, the comic book: Return of filial piety way, Pious Elephant... compiled by Most Thich Chan Tinh.

At the end of the ceremony, all monks and Buddhists came to the Hau Giang River to hold the fish release ritual.