Border pagoda welcomed thousands of highland visitors to attend the Vu Lan ceremony

Linh Quang Pagoda is located in Thanh Nua border commune, Dien Bien district, Dien Bien province, about 5km from the center of Dien Bien Phu city and more than 10km from the Lao border. Photo: Thanh Binh

This year's Vu Lan Festival is held on July 8 (lunar calendar). From early morning, thousands of Buddhists and people from all over flock here to attend the ceremony and express their gratitude to their parents.

This year's Vu Lan Ceremony at Linh Quang Pagoda was held early on the 8th day of the 7th lunar month (ie 11th August of the Gregorian calendar). From early in the morning, thousands of Buddhists and people from all over flocked here to attend the ceremony and present their offerings. Express gratitude to your birth mother.

In the main hall of Linh Quang Pagoda, Buddhists sat packed to listen to lectures about the meaning of the Vu Lan ceremony, roses on their clothes, chanting sutras and Buddha's name.

Even though it was raining heavily, many Buddhists traveled dozens of kilometers to get here

Even though it was raining heavily, many Buddhists traveled dozens of kilometers to come here to attend the Vu Lan ceremony, including many Buddhists who are ethnic Thai people.

Present at the pagoda early, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - a resident of Dien Bien Phu City said: "Every year on the occasion of Vu Lan I am present, this year there are also a lot of Buddhists coming. I hope that through the Vu Lan ceremony, filial piety will spread more to everyone about remembering the gratitude of parents, grandparents and ancestors."

In families where a relative has recently passed away, they will write the family member's name and age on the tablets and chant sutras and Buddha's name.

The first time attending the Vu Lan ceremony at the pagoda, Ms. Lo Thi Thien - Thai ethnicity, whose home is more than 60 km from the pagoda in Muong Ang district, said: "From early morning, the family rented a car to go to the pagoda to attend the Vu Lan ceremony. filial piety and love. When I listen to the sermons, I learn how to harmonize human relationships in life."

The first time attending the Vu Lan ceremony, Ms. Lo Thi Thien - Thai ethnic group, living in Muong Ang district, more than 60km from the pagoda, said: "From early morning, my family rented a car to go to the pagoda in time to attend the Vu Lan ceremony. filial piety and gratitude."

At the Vu Lan ceremony, each Buddhist wears a rose on their chest, symbolizing filial piety.

In the flower ceremony, red roses are often given to those who still have a father and mother, and white roses are given to those who have lost their father or mother.

In the flower-pinning ceremony, red roses are reserved for those who still have parents, and white roses are placed on the chest of those whose parents are no longer there.

Venerable Thich Nhuan Thanh - Deputy Head of the Executive Committee, Head of the Dharma Propagation Committee of the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha of Dien Bien province, preached: "Today, I would like to wear a red rose, whether my parents are still alive or have passed away forever. Crimson roses not only symbolize love, gratitude and respect for parents, but are also a symbol of hope, strength and strong affection...".

Venerable Thich Nhuan Thanh - Deputy Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha of Dien Bien province, said: "The crimson rose not only symbolizes love, gratitude and respect for parents, but is also a symbol of hope, strength and strong feelings...".

The Vu Lan filial piety ceremony is one of the important filial piety ceremonies, held on the full moon day of the 7th lunar month every year. This is one of the major Buddhist holidays, celebrated in many localities throughout the country.

Vu Lan filial piety ceremony is one of the important ceremonies held before the full moon day of July every year. This is a major Buddhist holiday and is often celebrated in most temples throughout the country.