The Vu Lan festival held at Phat Tich pagoda in Vientiane on September 2 (Photo: VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnameseexpatriates in Laos on September 2 gathered at a Vu Lanfestival at Phat Tich pagoda in Vientiane to express their deep gratitude towardsparents.
Hundreds of Vietnamese Buddhist followers and monks were present at the event,which also aims to commemorate soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protectthe country, and pray for national peace and prosperity.
In his opening speech, VenerableThich Minh Quang, member of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) in Laos, who isalso head of the coordinating board of Vietnam-Laos Buddhist cooperation, highlightedthe significance of the event.
It is a spiritual and cultural activity imbued with humane meaning,tradition and cultural identity of Vietnam, contributing to promoting thespirit of solidarity and mutual support among overseasVietnamese in the country, he said.
The Vu Lan festival falls on the fifteenth day of theseventh month in the lunar calendar. On this month’s full moon, wandering soulsare believed to return to their former homes.
The festival is based on the legend that once when mediating,a Buddha’s disciple named Muc Kieu Lien saw his mother suffering hell’stortures.
Following Buddha’s advice, on the seventh full moon of theyear, Lien gathered monks and devotees to pray for his mother.
Therefore, the festival is also an occasion for children toexpress their gratitude towards their parents (especially mothers) and helpancestors’ souls find their way back to the earth./.
VNA
