People burst into tears at Vu Lan ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City

On the evening of August 28, Dieu Phap Pagoda (Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) was crowded with Buddhists and people coming to participate in the Vu Lan Festival. Inside and outside the pagoda, there were volunteers guiding people to get lanterns and receive robes. Although the number of people was quite large, there was no jostling or pushing.

Vu Lan festival takes place on the full moon day of the seventh lunar month every year, reminding everyone of filial piety and gratitude to their parents.

These days, at pagodas across the country, many people are reverently preparing for Vu Lan festival, a day to pardon the dead and show filial piety to parents.

To ensure the solemnity of the program, Dieu Phap Pagoda limits the number of participants. Buddhists and people attending the ceremony must register in advance, receive an invitation from the organizing committee and confirm information upon entering the gate.

During the rose pinning ceremony, each person receives a corresponding flower. Pink roses are for those who still have parents, white roses are for those who have lost their parents.

Each Buddhist will be arranged a solemn seat, given flower lanterns, and have sutras read while the monks perform the ceremony.

After the rose pinning ceremony is the flower lantern releasing ceremony to pray for national peace and prosperity, and for every family to be safe and happy.

"When I listened to the monks preaching, along with the music at the temple, I cried a lot. I don't know how many more years I can wear this pink flower," said Quynh Nhu (Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City), moved.

After the ceremonies, hundreds of people and monks holding lit lanterns walked barefoot in meditation around the temple grounds, walking mindfully.

This is also a moment that makes the attendees feel peaceful in their thoughts, praying for peace for everyone and every home.

To ensure safety, the lanterns will be gathered in one place, then volunteers will pass them around and release them into the river.

After the ceremony ends, Dieu Phap Pagoda will collect the floating lanterns on the river so as not to affect the environment.

According to folk beliefs, Vu Lan Festival is one of the most important traditional holidays of Buddhism. This is also an opportunity for each person to express gratitude to their parents.