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As the lunar July full moon approaches, it signifies the season of filial piety through the grand Vu Lan Festival. What exactly is Vu Lan Festival? Explore its origins and significance with PasGo in this insightful article!
What day is Vu Lan Festival?
The term 'Vu Lan', or the filial piety festival, is a concise form of 'Vu Lan Bồn' (盂蘭盆), derived from the Pali word 'ullambhana,' meaning liberation—specifically liberation for those suffering in hell. The phrase 'filial piety' signifies the gratitude and repayment of the child's duties to their parents in terms of giving birth and nurturing.
Vu Lan Festival is one of the significant Buddhist holidays, dedicated to remembering, expressing gratitude, and repaying the parental contributions in giving birth and nurturing.
What day is Vu Lan Festival?
Today, Vu Lan Festival goes beyond its purely sacred religious meaning and has become a 'cultural and compassionate festival.' The Vu Lan ceremony holds profound significance, guiding individuals to reconnect with their roots, embracing the principle of 'Remembering the Source' with ancestors. It is one of the most important and profound festivals in Vietnamese culture, an integral part of the nation's heritage and beliefs.
When is Vu Lan Festival 2023?
Vu Lan Festival in 2023 falls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, corresponding to Wednesday, August 30, 2023, in the Gregorian calendar. The filial piety celebration coincides with the East Asian tradition of Ullambana.
What is the origin and significance of Vu Lan Festival?
Where does the tradition of Vu Lan Festival originate from?
Vu Lan filial piety day traces its origins to the legend of Bodhisattva Muc Kien Lien, the devoted disciple of the Buddha, who rescued his mother from the realm of hungry ghosts (starving spirits).
The story unfolds as follows:
“After achieving enlightenment, Great Master Muc Kien Lien remembered his departed mother, Thanh De, and used his magical eyes to search the heavens and earth to find her whereabouts.
Unexpectedly, the heartbreaking result revealed his mother wandering in the realm of Hungry Ghosts, suffering due to the evil deeds she had committed. Overwhelmed with sorrow, Great Master Muc Kien Lien used divine powers to offer rice to the underworld for his mother, but sadly, all the food turned into flames.
Vu Lan filial piety day is intimately connected with the legend of Bodhisattva Muc Kien Lien rescuing his mother.
Unable to bear the sight of his mother suffering in the depths of hell, he immediately sought help from the Buddha. The Buddha, however, taught that despite his immense supernatural powers, he alone couldn't rescue his mother.
The only solution was to seek the collective strength of monks from all ten directions. And the fifteenth day of the seventh month (15/07) happened to be an auspicious day. It was suitable for inviting monks, performing rituals, and offering Tam Bao to accumulate merits for the salvation of his mother.
According to the Buddha, Muc Kien Lien's mother was liberated. The Buddha added, “Those who wish to express filial piety to their parents should follow this method as well.”
From then on, the Vu Lan Festival was established.”
Significance of Vu Lan Festival
When Vu Lan is mentioned, many immediately recognize its essence – a day dedicated to expressing gratitude to ancestors, grandparents, and parents (of both this life and past lives). Everyone acknowledges the immense sacrifices parents make for their children, investing considerable effort and care in nurturing us without expecting anything in return.
For the Vietnamese, filial piety always takes precedence, reminding us of these significant sacrifices.
The sayings and proverbs of our forefathers consistently teach us that: 'You eat the fruit, remember the one who planted the tree.' 'Birds have nests, humans have lineages.' 'Drink water, remember the source.' 'The merit of the father is like Mount Thai Son, the kindness of the mother is like water flowing from a spring.' …
'Eat the fruit and remember the one who planted the tree.'
'Birds have nests, humans have lineages.'
'Drink water and remember the source.'
'The merit of the father is like Mount Thai Son, the kindness of the mother is like water flowing from a spring.'
…
Here, filial piety is towards parents – those who have the merit of giving birth and nurturing in this life and many lives beyond. Buddhist beliefs always view humans in the context of karmic relationships and reincarnation. This means we must broaden our gratitude to all living beings.
Especially on this day, those with living parents strive to return and visit them, expressing gratitude and dedicating time to them. It's an opportunity for everyone to demonstrate love for their parents, treat them well, and show affection and gratitude to those who brought them into the world and raised them.
In the spirit of Vu Lan Festival, society also holds the responsibility to protect and care for the elderly, disabled, and those facing difficulties. Hence, Vu Lan Festival is not just an important day in Buddhism but also a traditional cultural celebration, honoring family values, the bond between generations, and the spirit of empathy and sharing in society.
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