More than 500 students from universities and thousands of monks, nuns and Buddhists from all over attended the Vu Lan ceremony at Tam Chuc Pagoda. (Source: Vietnamnet)

Despite the hot weather reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius, thousands of monks, nuns, and Buddhists still attended the Vu Lan Festival at Tam Chuc Pagoda to show their filial piety to their parents.

In the mind of every Vietnamese, Vu Lan is not only a Buddhist ritual but has become a common holiday for children to express their filial piety to their parents, remember, pray and show gratitude to those who sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. This is an opportunity for everyone to slow down, love more, express their feelings and take practical actions to repay their parents and share with those around them.

Attending the Vu Lan ceremony at Tam Chuc Pagoda, more than 500 students from universities nationwide and thousands of monks, nuns and Buddhists from all over the world witnessed and practiced a number of traditional Buddhist rituals such as the Vu Lan repentance chanting and dedication ritual; gratitude for the birth, the rose pinned on the lapel...

Attending the Vu Lan ceremony at Tam Chuc Pagoda, more than 500 students from universities nationwide and thousands of monks, nuns and Buddhists from all over the world witnessed and practiced a number of traditional Buddhist rituals such as the Vu Lan repentance chanting and dedication ritual; gratitude for the birth, the rose pinned on the lapel...

Most Venerable Thich Minh Quang, Deputy Abbot of Tam Chuc Pagoda, spoke at the ceremony. (Source: Vietnamnet)

Speaking at the ceremony, Venerable Thich Minh Quang, Deputy Abbot of Tam Chuc Pagoda, said that since Buddhism was introduced to Vietnam, Vu Lan season has become a tradition of filial piety and gratitude, in line with the spirit of ancestor worship. Today, Vu Lan festival is no longer simply a sacred religious meaning but has become a cultural festival of humanity for anyone living in this world.

Luu Thi Kim Thoa (20 years old) shared: "I participate in Vu Lan festival to expand my knowledge of Buddhism and accumulate some merit for myself as well as dedicate it to my parents, family, and relatives."

Many people were moved when watching the Vu Lan play reenacting the story of the great filial Maudgalyayana Bodhisattva who, thanks to the combined efforts of monks from all over the world, saved his mother from the realm of hungry ghosts. (Source: Vietnamnet)

The rose pinned on the lapel is one of the indispensable rituals at Vu Lan ceremony. (Source: Vietnamnet)

Those who have lost their parents will have a white rose pinned on their chest. Those who have lost either parent will have a light pink rose pinned on their chest. Those who still have both parents will have a red rose pinned on their chest. (Source: Vietnamnet)

After the rose pinning ceremony, there is the chanting of the Vu Lan Sutra, the Maudgalyayana Repentance Sutra and making a spiritual vow to follow the Buddha. (Source: Vietnamnet)

A dance performance by 500 students to show gratitude to their parents. (Source: Vietnamnet)