Sunday, 04/19/2026
Vesak 2017 at Hoang Phap Pagoda
Update: 10/05/2017
Exactly at 9:00, prajna drums and bells were played to welcome clergy delegation to the stage to offer incense to Triratna. Divine chanting echoed in the pure and solemn air triggering the sincerity of participants who aspired to devote their lives as the donation to Buddha on the occasion of Vesak. In such blissful environment, monks and Buddhists at Hoang Phap pagoda released hundreds of colorful balloons into the sky as the prayer for peace and compassion onto this world. During such sacred moment, thousands of people pressed palms together to pray for happiness and ease from the compassionate light of Buddhas in the ten directions.
After reason declaration and introduction session, came the minute of commemoration of Shakyamuni Buddha. Then Venerable Thich Tam Truong, on behalf of the organizing department, gave the speech of Vesak before Venerable Thich Tam Dong shared the meaning of Buddha’s Birthday.
In the festive joy, Senior Venerable Thich Chan Tinh delivered the Dharma talk to the mass, briefing about the background and life of Buddha to encourage the ashram. Prince Siddhartha was born with thirty-two good marks and 80 beautiful features. After travelling through the four gates of the city and meeting with four messengers: the elderly, the sick, the deceased and a clergyman, he aspired the thought of Enlightenment and renounced his royal life for the Path of liberation. Thanks to good deeds sowed in immeasurable previous kalpas that he got the ultimate Attainment after six years as an ascetic within this life. It is said that out cultivation is more likely planting a tree that needs time and compounded conditions to grow up, blossom and bear fruits. Practicing for the ultimate liberation is a long way through many aeons that practitioners need to cultivate with diligence and persistence instead of impatience or over-hastiness.
Singers Duong Quoc Hung and Ngoc Mai contributed to Vesak ceremony with two songs "Quy Kinh Phat Da", and "Kinh Phat Dan Sanh" respectively.
Following are the recorded photographs:
BBT Website