Nearly 4 years after leaving Quang Ngai to work in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Le Minh Quan (26 years old, office worker in Binh Thanh ward) rarely has the opportunity to return to his hometown outside of the Tet holiday. Vu Lan this year falls in midweek, while work is entering its peak period, so he continues to stay in the city.
Taking advantage of lunch break, Mr. Quan visited Ngoc Hoang Pagoda (Tan Dinh ward) to burn incense, pray for health for his parents and remember his grandparents and ancestors. For young workers, this is a way to send homesickness when they cannot directly return to their families.
“My parents are getting older, so every time I call, I just hope to hear that everyone at home is still healthy. Vu Lan cannot return, I go to the pagoda to burn incense, pray for my parents' peace and then call to inquire. Just hearing my parents' voices, I also feel more peaceful” - Mr. Quan shared.
Living far from home, Mr. Quan tries to maintain calling home every week. A part of his monthly income is also used by him to send home to help his parents cover living expenses. He believes that filial piety does not necessarily have to wait until conditions are sufficient, but can start with things that are within his ability such as asking about, sharing difficulties and taking care of himself so that his parents are less worried.
Like Mr. Quan, Ms. Tran Thi Hong Thuong (20 years old, Phu Nhuan ward) left her hometown of Khanh Hoa to Ho Chi Minh City to study for more than 3 years and does not have many opportunities to visit her mother, especially when schooling and life in the city are still very busy.
In the days leading up to Vu Lan festival, Ms. Thuong and her older sister want to be by their mother's side even more, but the geographical distance makes it difficult for the two sisters to ask about each other through phone calls, telling their mother about their studies, work, and life pressures. In addition to confiding, Ms. Thuong also chose to go to the pagoda to pray for peace and health for the family.
My mother is a very strong person, often encouraging the two sisters to try to study and work, not needing to worry about my mother in the countryside, but I know my mother's work is hard, staying up late and getting up early, so I love my mother very much. My mother is a spiritual support and motivation for me to continue trying. I also hope to soon stabilize my studies and work, have income so that I can take better care of my mother later" - Ms. Thuong emotionally shared.
Also coming to the pagoda in the seventh lunar month, Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Bao Han (22 years old) drove for more than an hour from Dong Nai to Ho Chi Minh City to pray for health and peace for her parents.
Having visited Ngoc Hoang Pagoda many times, Ms. Han said that whenever she feels insecure, entering the Buddhist gate space helps her feel lighter. On this Vu Lan occasion, Han's first wish is still the health of her parents and family.
I hope my parents' worries will gradually subside. I myself will also try to study, work and live well so that my parents are always at ease" - Ms. Han said.
