Thousands of people visited Phuoc Tuong Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City for Vu Lan, a season of gratitude marked by prayer, family remembrance and acts of kindness.
From early morning, the grounds of Phuoc Tuong Pagoda in Tang Nhon Phu Ward were already crowded. Alongside praying before the Buddha, many visitors stopped at the flower area to take part in a familiar Vu Lan tradition.Tuong Bach said the pagoda prepares around 5,000 roses each Vu Lan season for visitors and Buddhist followers to pin to their clothing. She has volunteered at the pagoda for more than 10 years, since she was a university student. “I feel very happy and find it deeply meaningful to contribute even a small part of my time and effort during Vu Lan each year,” she said.Roses were pinned to the clothing of those attending the ceremony. Red flowers were for people whose parents are still alive, while white flowers were worn by those who have lost their mother or father. Simple as it is, the ritual serves as a reminder to cherish family ties, express gratitude to one’s parents and spend more time caring for them while there is still an opportunity to do so.Kim Nhu, from Xom Chieu Ward, personally pinned a flower to her mother’s clothing. For the mother and daughter, the ritual was an opportunity to express gratitude, reflect on family bonds and appreciate the loved ones still beside them.
Phuc said she and her daughter make time every Vu Lan season to visit a pagoda, pray and do charitable work.
“Every year during Vu Lan, I go to the pagoda to remember my grandparents and parents, pray for peace and well-being for my family, and remind myself to live kindly and accumulate good deeds,” she said.
After the rose-pinning ritual, visitors continued to the area serving a vegetarian buffet. Food stalls were constantly replenished with dishes including Vietnamese savory pancakes, thick noodle soup, pho, vermicelli, rice, fresh spring rolls and a variety of desserts.According to Venerable Thich Nhat An, abbot of Phuoc Tuong Pagoda, the free vegetarian buffet has been maintained for around 17 years. The pagoda organizes it on the 30th, first, 14th and 15th days of each lunar month, serving around 2,000-3,000 people each time.During the full moon of the seventh lunar month, however, considerably more people come to the pagoda than usual. The meals are funded by the pagoda and contributions from Buddhist followers, with the aim of sharing food with local residents, including workers, students and people facing financial hardship. To prepare for the large number of diners, Buddhist followers and volunteers begin preparing ingredients several days in advance. Around 200-300 people volunteer during each event.In one corner of the kitchen, volunteers worked busily over wood-fired stoves making banh xeo, Vietnam’s crispy savory pancakes. Vo Truong Loc has volunteered at the pagoda for more than four years. On full-moon days and the first day of the lunar month, he regularly makes time to help cook vegetarian dishes for visitors.People patiently lined up and took only the portions they needed, while fresh dishes were continually brought out.Nam Khanh and Quynh Chi learned about the free vegetarian buffet at Phuoc Tuong Pagoda through social media. “This is a very meaningful activity, especially during the seventh lunar month, the Vu Lan season. We not only get to enjoy vegetarian food, but also have a chance to visit the pagoda, pray before the Buddha and make a small contribution so the pagoda has more funds for its charitable activities,” Quynh Chi said.Inside the main hall, families and other visitors arrived throughout the day to pay their respects, offer incense and pray for the well-being of their loved ones.From the ritual of pinning roses to clothing and the free vegetarian meals to the collective volunteer work of Buddhist followers, activities at Phuoc Tuong Pagoda create a space for both spiritual practice and community connection during the Vu Lan season. The occasion also gives people an opportunity to return to a Buddhist place of worship, turn their thoughts toward family, express gratitude and perform acts of kindness.Phuoc Tuong Pagoda is located on La Xuan Oai Street in Tang Nhon Phu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, and belongs to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. It was founded in 1741 by Zen master Linh Quang - Phat Chieu and was recognized as a national architectural and artistic heritage site in 1993.
Vietnamnet.vn
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