Ulambana 2017

In that spirit, today Sep 05, 1027 (Jul 15, lunar calendar), Hoang Pagoda solemnly celebrates 2561st Ulambana – 2017 with the participant of thousands of Buddhists from all over the country.

Exactly at 9 am, in the mighty melody of prajna bell-drum, clergy delegation solemnly comes to main hall for the ceremony. Before the main part of Ulambana, the mass listens to verse recitation with bell to calm down, have pure mind and enjoy the happiness deep in their hearts.

After reason statement and introduction, it comes the rose pinning rite. Everyone listens to the rite meaning and sharing from MC. Oc Thanh Van who has lost her dear father recently. In such sacred moment, the whole ashram spends a minute’s silence in memory of the merits of Buddhas, masters, and martyrs who have devoted their lives for Dhamma. Besides, it is also the time for everyone to pay tribute to the country, country leaders/contributors, compatriots, forefathers, and all sentient beings.

Yellow rose, symbol of the noble renunciation of clergy people, is for monks, Tathagata messengers. Red rose is for people who have both parents alive. Pink rose is for those who just have one parent alive. White rose is for those who lost their both parents. Next, Venerable Thich Tam Tuong performs the song "Bong Hong Cai Ao" with his singing and saxophone.

There are silent/thoughtful moments, sobbing chokes and penitent tears on faces of participants during the minute of repentance. Everyone, in childhood and teenage, is more or less thoughtless and foolish making lots of mistakes. It is valuable for people to acknowledge the wrongdoings and correct them. Minute of repentance is the opportunity for us to recall and penance about errors we may have accidentally involved in, bringing sadness, worriment, hurt, or suffering to parents.

After that, the mass listens to fairy tale "Ba Co Gai” (Three daughters) via the clear telling voice of Khanh Vy. After that, monks offer garlands and mala beads to perform filial piety to parents.

Following great example of Moggallana, a Buddha’s great disciple, teenage Buddhists, on behalf of the mass, offerKasāya (monk’s robe) to clergy delegation in the sweet voice of singer Ngoc Mai with the song “Dang Y” (Kasaya offering).

Senior Venerable Thich Chan Tinh, Abbot of Hoang Phap Pagoda, head of program organizer, on behalf of Hoang Phap Sangha, praises the sincerity and dutiful spirit of Buddhists to parents and receives the donation. He also encourages the mass following the example of Buddha performing compassion and filial piety to parent, family, relatives and his beloved ones (before his renunciation). Via this, we can see Buddha is a great and dutiful one.

We should not only express our gratitude to our parents via caring activities but also head them to Triratna/Buddhism for the sake of happiness in this life and the after-lives. Besides, filial children should live good/virtuous life and perform the five precepts for lay members. Kind people can win others’ affection, respect and everyone would like to be close with him/her. On the contrary, bad people with immoral, evil or loose life gets hatred, isolation from others. Such evil ones may bring bad reputation/sorrows to him/herself and parents. Therefore, a child with good and virtuous life following the five precepts for Buddhist will be able to affect to parents’ belief. We can be a good example guiding parents to the life of peace and ease in present and future.

After the Abbot’s Dharma talk, it comes the short and moving play entitled "Noi Buon Me Toi” (My Mother's Grief) with the edition and performance of Hoang Phap Dhammapala group. As usual, the final part of the event is Ulambana ceremony helping everyone think of parents’ large merits.

Additionally, the presence of singers as Thu Trang, Thuy Tien and Cong Vinh has contributed to the success of Ulambana 2017.

Following are recorded photographs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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