Buzz
During every full moon of the seventh lunar month, everyone eagerly prepares to welcome the Grand Parents' Day - a famous day of filial piety in Vietnam. It's a time for us to reconnect with our roots, reminisce, and honor the noble sacrifices of our parents with the values of Filial Piety, Righteousness, and Beauty.
What is Vu Lan Day?
Vu Lan Festival, also known as the Grand Parents' Day in Vietnamese Buddhism, carries special significance. The term 'Vu Lan' is a short form of the phrase 'Vu Lan Bo,' derived from the Pali word 'ullambhana,' meaning 'liberation,' signifying the liberation of souls from extreme suffering in hell.
Grand Parents' Day not only garners attention from Buddhists but is also an important day for all Vietnamese children. It's a special moment for people to express deep gratitude to their parents with utmost sincerity.
Vu Lan Festival is also a time for seeking peace and completeness. In the solemn atmosphere of the festival, we feel the bond and unity among people. It's a time to reflect on the past and feel the love and unconditional sacrifices of our parents. Hearts are nurtured, emotions are shared, and gratitude flourishes.
Celebrate Grand Parents' Day with Special Offers from Klook
Grand Parents' Day is approaching, and many Buddhists are seeking pilgrimage destinations and planning to visit famous temples for this significant event. #teamKlook, remember that you can pre-book temple pilgrimage tours and religious tourism spots on Klook Vietnam at discounted prices, eliminating the hassle of long queues during peak times. Save the Klook discount code now!
When is Grand Parents' Day 2023?
Grand Parents' Day in 2023 falls on Wednesday, August 30th (according to the Gregorian calendar). This is a special day when all Vietnamese people nationwide honor and express deep gratitude to their parents.
Origin and Meaning of Grand Parents' Day
1. Origin of Grand Parents' Day
Grand Parents' Day originated from the legend of Monk Mulian - an exceptional disciple of Buddha Sakyamuni who saved his mother from the realm of hungry ghosts.
According to the legend, when Mulian successfully cultivated himself, he searched for his deceased mother, Lady Thanh Dieu. However, he discovered that his mother had been condemned to hell and was suffering for the sins she had committed.
Heartbroken by this situation, Mulian sought the help of Buddha Sakyamuni. Buddha taught him that his mother's karmic debt was too heavy, and Mulian alone couldn't save her. Buddha advised him that on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month - a day when the Buddhas rejoice, he should perform the Ullambana Ceremony to liberate his mother from suffering.
Following Buddha's teachings, Mulian performed the Triple Gem Ceremony, offering alms to all Buddhist monastics, including Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Through this offering, Lady Thanh Dieu was liberated from suffering and saved from the realm of hungry ghosts.
This humane ritual serves as a reminder to cherish the beautiful moments when our parents are still with us, like fragrant red roses, so that we won't regret when they are no longer by our side, like wilted white roses on our lapels.
2. Significance of Grand Parents' Day
When mentioning Grand Parents' Day, many immediately think of its significance - gratitude and filial piety towards our ancestors, grandparents, and parents (both in this life and past lives). Parents are the ones who have devoted their all and sacrificed much to raise us, without expecting any repayment.
Grand Parents' Day is celebrated to remind future generations of the boundless merits of parents. Additionally, it provides us with an opportunity to better understand the humane values of Buddhist culture, such as 'Gratitude, Appreciation, Rejoicing, and Letting Go' and 'Selflessness, Compassion'.
What are the Highlights of Grand Parents' Day Celebration?
1. The Ritual of 'Rose on the Lapel'
The 'Rose on the Lapel' ritual is one of the grandest and most profound ceremonies during the Grand Parents' Day Season. Originating from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's trip to Japan, where he was presented with a white rose pinned to his chest as a symbol of gratitude and respect. From then on, Zen Master composed the work 'Rose on the Lapel' in the 1960s. This ritual later became an integral part of Grand Parents' Day ceremonies, introduced by Venerable Thich Giac Giao.
Initially, in this ritual, monks only used red roses to express children's gratitude towards their parents. When people visit the temple, they receive a red rose, symbolizing gratitude and reverence. The term 'Rose on the Lapel' comes from placing this rose on the clothing of the ritual participant.
However, to make it more solemn, some temples have designated colors for flowers to express specific meanings. Red roses are for those with both parents. Light roses are for those who have lost either their father or mother. White roses are for those who have lost both parents. Particularly, monks will receive yellow roses, symbolizing education and salvation of sentient beings on the path to liberation.
2. Offering Ritual on Grand Parents' Day
On Grand Parents' Day, if there isn't enough time to go to the temple, we can still show gratitude and filial piety to our parents by organizing an offering ceremony at home. The home offering ceremony not only carries traditional significance but also is a solemn and reverent act.
In case Grand Parents' Day and the day of ancestral veneration coincide, we can combine these two ceremonies and offer respects at home. The offering sequence can be performed as follows:
- Offering to the Buddha: Prepare a vegetarian meal or five fruits to offer to the Buddha, showing reverence and respect to the Buddha.
- Offering to deities: Arrange an offering tray with white wine, the five senses (hat, coat, gloves, shoes), fresh fruits, and flowers to remember and express gratitude to the deities.
- Offering to ancestors: Prepare a vegetarian or non-vegetarian offering tray depending on the family's tradition. Place on the tray bowls containing foods such as rice porridge, cakes, and incense sticks to offer to the ancestors. Also, place gold ingots representing the family's merit and gratitude.
- Offering to sentient beings: Arrange salt and rice bowls, a pot of rice porridge, candles, and incense sticks to offer to sentient beings. This is a way to show compassion and benevolence to all sentient beings.
3. Visiting Temples for Blessings
During this festival, participate in Buddhist ceremonies and engage in volunteer work at temples. Additionally, offer the Triple Gem and release floating lanterns into the sky, sending prayers for the peace and health of parents and loved ones, while seeking tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of life. Visiting temples is not only a cultural beauty but also a way to find love and share with those around us.Here are some temple suggestions in Vietnam that you can visit during the 2023 Vu Lan Festival:
- Sun World Ba Den Mountain Cable Car Ticket in Tay Ninh
- Ho Chi Minh City Chùa Tham Quan Tour
- 1D1N Chau Doc Pilgrimage Tour - Bà Chúa Xứ Shrine by High-Quality Sleeper Bus
- 1D1N Visit to Father Diep and Mother Nam Hai with Guide
- One Day Visit to Tam Chuc Pagoda - Trang An Tour from Hanoi
- One Day Tour to Perfume Pagoda Hanoi
4. Releasing Floating Lanterns on the Grand Vu Lan Festival
In folk tradition, floating lanterns, also known as flower lanterns, symbolize the spiritual and cultural values in traditional festivals of the Vietnamese people. Each lit lantern is a ray of light containing good intentions and peace, it is a ray of hope opening new doors, dispelling all difficulties and sorrows. They are symbols of liberation, making us feel that within each person exists an eternal light, ready to illuminate life and spread joy to everyone around.
On Vu Lan Day, the act of releasing floating lanterns originates from Buddhism, symbolizing prayers for the deceased. When the lanterns are lit and released onto the water, we wish for peace and express deep gratitude to our parents and ancestors. Each floating lantern represents a prayer, a good intention, and a wish for peace for oneself and others.Explore some temples for floating lanterns on Vu Lan Festival:
- Phap Hoa Temple is a familiar destination for many, especially during the Vu Lan month of July every year. During this time, in addition to main spiritual activities, releasing floating lanterns is a captivating activity attracting thousands of participants.
- Located on the banks of the Saigon River, Dieu Phap Pagoda - situated at 188 No Trang Long, Ward 13, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the places that regularly organizes floating lantern events on the Vu Lan festival.
5. Vegetarian Dining
Today, vegetarianism has become a trendy lifestyle, attracting attention not only from families but also from young people, especially on special occasions such as the 1st and 15th of the lunar month, Buddha's Birthday, and Vu Lan Festival. Vegetarianism not only carries spiritual significance but also helps cleanse the mind and body. Vegetarian meals don't need to be complicated, just use various fresh vegetables, tubers, fruits, and plants to create flavorful and nutritious dishes.
With the above suggestions, #teamKlook can experience the Vu Lan season meaningfully and practically. Cherish this day to create more joy and peace in the soul, as well as spread compassion and love to those around you.Follow the Klook Vietnam Travel Blog to get useful information about Vietnam travel, Buddha's Birthday, and many other countries around the world. Are you ready to welcome the 2023 Vu Lan Festival yet?
