Thousands of Buddhists returning Hoa Phuc Pagoda to attend the great ceremony of praying for peace at the year’s beginning

On February 16th to 17th in 2019 (lunar January 12-13 the year of Pig), Hoa Phuc pagoda (Hoa Thach commune, Quoc Oai district, Hanoi city) solemnly held the ceremony of praying for peace – Opening dharma – wishing longevity and the Festival Night "Lighting candles for destroying accidents and lengthening life" in the Pig Year at the year’s beginning for thousands of near and far Buddhists.

Witnessing the ceremony were Senior Venerable Thich Tien Dat – The pagoda’s great Master; Junior Venerable Thich Tam Hoa as abbot of Hoa Phuc pagoda, as well as and monks at the Pagoda. At the Great Festival, Senior Venerable Thich Tien Dat gave a Dharma talk to Buddhists with the theme "Meaning of chanting of the medicine - Buddha" helping the mass gains more faith and understand the meaning of chanting this on the beginning of the year.

In addition, during two days at the great ceremony, Buddhists recited the Medicine Buddha, listened to dharma preaching, attended the rite "Wishing Longevity" for 65 Buddhists were the old people in the Pagoda and Hoa Truc village aged their life from 65 to 90 years old; attend the Night of the Festival "Lighting candles to destroying accidents and lengthen life"; granting pieces of threads five colors and bottles of water on the chanting altar of the Medicine - Buddha.

The following is the images of the great ceremony: