On July 29, Candaransi Pagoda (HCMC) was crowded with hundreds of Buddhists and people attending the ceremony of offering robes to bathe in the rain and offering lanterns. This is a unique traditional ritual of the Khmer Southern Buddhist sect, marking the beginning of the three-month long year of peace.
This year's an cư kiết hạ season of Khmer Southern Buddhism takes place from June 17th to September 18th of the lunar calendar. In a solemn atmosphere, Buddhists prepare robes, lamps and many essential household items to offer to 20 monks who are practicing at Candaransi Pagoda, praying for monks to be assured and cultivate their morality.
Within the framework of the ceremony, after the Tam Bao worship ceremony, Venerable Chau Hoai Thai - Member of the Executive Council, Deputy Chief of Office II of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha had a Dharma talk sharing about the meaning of the year of peace. The Venerable emphasized that this is an important time for ordained people to cultivate their souls and minds, diligently practice, and improve their precepts - destiny - wisdom to better serve the community.
After listening to the Dharma talk, Buddhists perform the ritual of disturbing the Buddha three times around the main hall, then respectfully confess and offer robes to bathe in the rain, lamps are lowered to the monks. The lowered lamps lighting up throughout the three months of residence symbolize the sincerity and protection of the Three Jewels of the people at home.
According to Venerable Chau Hoai Thai, the rain bathing offering ceremony originated from the time when the Buddha was still alive. Legend has it that the female resident Visakha, when she saw monks bathing in the rain without suitable clothing, asked the Buddha for permission to offer rain bathing clothes for monks to conveniently use during the rainy season. Over time, this ritual has become a sustainable spiritual cultural beauty of the Khmer community, expressing deep gratitude to the monks.
