English
French
Spanish
Italian
While people around the world celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Vietnamese people express their filial piety through the Vu Lan Festival. This Buddhist holiday is deeply connected to the traditions of ancestor worship in Vietnam. Come with Asia King Travel to see what makes the Vu Lan Festival special, and what you can do during the holiday
Vu Lan Festival is one of the main holidays of Buddhism held on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month (also known as Ghost Month in Vietnam) every year. According to history, the Vu Lan Festival was introduced to Vietnam early in 1072, when King Ly Nhan Tong held an altar to pray for his parents.
Vu Lan is a festival for showing respect and gratitude to parents and for making offerings to wandering souls
In addition to being a festival for showing respect and gratitude to parents, Vu Lan is also a day to make offerings to wandering souls. The word "Vu Lan" is a shortened form of the word "Vu Lan Bon", which means "liberation”, referring to the liberation of those who are suffering in hell.
The festival originates from the Buddhist legend of Venerable Maudgalyayana, one of the Buddha Shakyamuni's most outstanding disciples. When he successfully practiced, he remembered his deceased mother, so he looked for her everywhere. He was heartbroken to see his mother suffering in the realm of hungry ghosts, hungry and wandering everywhere because of her heavy evil karma.
Following the Buddha's teachings, Maudgalyayana performed all the rituals on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, and as a result, his mother was liberated. From then on, the Buddha also taught: "If sentient beings want to show filial piety to their parents, they should do it this way".
The Buddhist legend of Venerable Maudgalyayana laid the foundation for the Vu Lan Festival
This legend laid the foundation for the Vu Lan Festival, which has become an annual occasion to remember the kindness of parents and ancestors, reminding people to appreciate and repay the sacrifices of previous generations.
In Buddhism, the Vu Lan Festival has the meaning of praying for the dead and showing filial respect. On this occasion, people would pray for peace and forgiveness for their parents and ancestors, thanks to the blessings of monks and offering rituals. In addition, they also show respect to parents, express feelings and gratitude through practical actions such as chanting sutras, making offerings, doing good deeds, and releasing animals.
Vu Lan Festival has the meaning of praying for the dead and showing filial respect
Vu Lan Festival not only reminds people of their duties as children but also educates them about cause and effect and reincarnation, helping each person to recognize the relationship between their actions and the blessings of their parents.
Vu Lan Festival is a vivid expression of the Vietnamese proverb “Uong nuoc nho nguon”, which means “Never forget where you came from”. This reminds people to always respect and be grateful to their parents and ancestors, those who have sacrificed to build and protect the family over generations.
People usually pin a rose on their chest when going to the temple
On Vu Lan Festival, when going to the temple, people will usually pin a rose on their chest. There are two colours of roses, and each has its own meaning. The red rose is for parents who are still living, reminding them to be filial and know how to appreciate. On the other hand, white roses are used to pay respect to the parents who have passed away, reminding us not to forget the kindness of giving birth and preserving family traditions.
In addition, Vu Lan Festival also coincides with Ghost Month. Many people believe that this is the time when the door between hell and the living world is opened, allowing souls to freely return to the living world. During this time, people often abstain from many things, such as doing important things or hanging out at night to avoid bad luck and keep peace for themselves and their families.
Because of this, besides traditional ceremonies during the Vu Lan Festival, there is an activity done while offering food called “snatching wandering souls”. It is believed that bad luck will follow the offerings, bringing peace to the homeowner. This is a beautiful cultural feature, considered an act of charity for homeless souls.
Read more: Vietnam Excursions
One of the traditional customs of the Vietnamese people on the Vu Lan Festival is preparing offering trays for ancestors. According to Vietnamese custom, on this day, each family should prepare trays of offerings to thank the gods, as well as make a tray of food to remember their ancestors. This is done with the wish to pray for the deceased to rest in peace and to bless their descendants to have a peaceful life.
An offering tray for wandering spirits in the Vu Lan Festival
There are four types of trays depending on the people you want to offer to: for Buddha, for deities, for ancestors and for wandering spirits. Each offering holds its own significance and requires appropriate preparations. The components vary, but usually consist of rice or porridge, traditional cakes, fruits, fresh flowers and paper clothes.
The Vu Lan Festival originates from Buddhist tradition, so going to the temple on this occasion has great spiritual significance. You can pray for health and peace for your living parents and grandparents, and at the same time send your condolences and salvation to those who have passed away. In the peaceful space of the Buddha's door, you may feel light-hearted, relieved and awaken the filial piety that is always present in your heart.
Many people go to temples on Vu Lan Festival
Vegetarianism is a Buddhist, as well as a religious practice of Vietnam that brings people to a place of purity. Vegetarianism is to show sincerity and also to reduce killing. Having vegetarian meals during the Vu Lan Festival is not only good for your health but also helps you pray more sincerely and spiritually than ever. Because at that time, your mind is pure, no killing, no lying - all are one of the five no's of Buddhism.
Having vegetarian meals is a way to lighten your soul
Life release is a familiar cultural feature of the Vu Lan Festival. According to Buddhist beliefs, releasing animals is a way to cultivate compassion for living beings. It is the act of freeing other creatures from captivity, bondage or from life-threatening situations, such as being locked up in cages, being tortured, or about to be killed, etc.
Vietnamese people usually release small animals like birds, fish and turtles
Releasing animals will bring abundant blessings, and the person who releases animals will be considered a good person and will have much luck, improved health, longevity, and reduced karma. However, releasing animals also requires understanding to avoid losing blessings.
In the evening of the festival, there will be flower lanterns released along many rivers. This is a traditional ritual of the Vu Lan Festival, also an integral part of Buddhism to pray for the deceased. Lighting the lantern is meant to remind people to remember their origin.
The image of flower lanterns is commonly seen in the Vu Lan Festival
The lantern is meticulously designed into a flower shape, lit by a candle. After being lit, the lantern will be released into the water, symbolizing a wish for peace and showing respect to parents and ancestors. Each lantern is a prayer and a kind thought for oneself and for everyone.
Vu Lan Festival is one of the main cultural holidays in Vietnam that has lasted for over a thousand years. As part of Buddhist holidays and coinciding with Ghost month in Vietnam, it carries profound meaning about filial piety and remembrance of ancestors. Besides, there are more interesting events awaiting throughout the year, so if you are a culture lover, don’t miss a chance and contact Asia King Travel for a meaningful trip in Vietnam.
Read more: Family Tours Vietnam
