On August 23, at Vietnam Quoc Tu Temple (HCMC), thousands of Buddhists quietly lined up to wait for the altar to offer sacrifices, superhuman spirits of martyrs and compatriots who died in the COVID-19 pandemic...
Post-COVID-19 pain never fades
In the late afternoon after the requiem ceremony ended, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Van (resident of Hoa Hung ward) stood silently in the corner of the pagoda's yard. Four years have passed since her father died of COVID-19, the pain in her heart is still intact.
In October 2022, Ms. Van's three sisters were hospitalized for kidney disease treatment and then contracted COVID-19. Although he had passed the infection stage after a month, he still could not survive due to post-COVID-19 complications. Since then, the family has only had three siblings and an elderly mother in her hometown of Dong Nai taking care of a sick relative.
Every year when the Vu Lan season comes, I go to the pagoda to pray for my grandparents, ancestors, father and younger brother. Although busy with work, whenever I am free, I go to the pagoda," Ms. Van confided.
In the sacred charity space, when the monks chanted sutras, Ms. Van burst into tears again. She said that on normal days, when she buries herself in work, the pain temporarily subsides, but just by glancing at a song or a movie about her father, her tears automatically fall: "The pain seemed to have subsided, but it is still there. Today, listening to the shaman recite sutras praying for the souls of martyrs, compatriots who died from COVID-19 and the souls, I feel my heart soften. I just hope that my father and those who have passed away will be liberated, and hope that my mother and family in my hometown will always be healthy and peaceful.
Sharing the same grief, Ms. Tran Thi Ngoc Bich (70 years old, residing in Gia Dinh ward) also arrived at Vietnam Quoc Tu early. Although the main hall was crowded with people, she still patiently sat in the outer yard watching each ceremony. Her family once experienced pain when her nearly 80-year-old brother passed away due to an epidemic right at home.
Since he passed away from COVID-19, on every full moon or first day of the month, I have burned incense and prayed. In the Vu Lan season, I can never give up. Although I know that the epidemic has passed is a common loss, but every time I think about the scene of my loved ones leaving in those difficult days, I still cannot help but feel heartbroken," Ms. Bich choked up. For her, coming to offer sacrifices is not only to pray for the ninth ancestor, her brother, but also to direct her heart to the spirits of martyrs, victims who died from natural disasters and epidemics.
Full of affection in the altar of charity
Chẩn tế siêu bạt chư hương linh is the ritual that ends the 2 days of Vu Lan - Báo hiếu Festival at Vietnam Quoc Tu. The altar is solemnly arranged, the offerings are solemnly displayed, expressing respect and respect for the deceased in the spirit of "kỉnh như tại" of Asian cultural traditions.
The altar is decorated solemnly, purely with a heart of great sorrow and fear; the rituals are unique and rich with forms of praise, chanting, music and seals of the Dharma Master harmonizing melodies that touch people's hearts.
