From the early morning until late night on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, which takes place on August 15 this year, three most famous Buddhist temples in Hanoi namely Quan Su, Tran Quoc and Phuc Khanh have welcomed Buddhism believers who come to pray in Vu Lan Festival, also known as the Gratitude Festival or Ullambana Festival.
Quan Su Pagoda
Quan Su, a well-known Buddhist pagoda located at 73 Quan Su Street, just some steps away from Hoan Kiem Lake, is the headquarter of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.
The pagoda, which was built in the 15th century, has been a must-visit destination for locals and visitors every first and full-moon days monthly in lunar calendar. Especially on Tet Holiday and the seventh full-moon day of the year, the pagoda welcomes a large number of Buddhist followers who come to offer incenses, votive papers and money as well as fresh fruits and flowers to pray for health and peace.
This Vu Lan Festival, Quan Su Pagoda holds two events for followers including a prayer for forsaken spirits and another for departed members of the families.
Tran Quoc Temple
During these days of the seventh lunar month, chant of monks and hundreds of followers resounds in Tran Quoc temple about the repentance, the gratitude of offspring toward their parent’s efforts in giving birth and nurturing them, and the honor for the Dharma.
Besides the locals, Tran Quoc also receives foreign tourists. The pagoda has been listed among the best temple architectures of the world by National Geographic. However, the overseas visitors are suggested to stay out of the interior chamber during the chanting.
Phuc Khanh Buddhist Temple
Phuc Khanh temple in the district of Dong Da is famous among the locals as one of the most sacred ones in Hanoi, which attracts thousand of people coming to pray and free caged birds and fish.
The pagoda was built in the Later Le Dynasty according to the traditional Buddhism architecture of northern Vietnam, and houses dozens of statues, stone steles, and ancient bells dating back up to 300 years.
The spiritual activities during this Vu Lan Festival at Phuc Khanh pagoda take place from 2 to 14 in seventh lunar month or August 2 to August 14, 2019 with several praying ceremonies and chanting.
Quan Su Pagoda
People prays at Quan Su Pagoda. Photo by Ha An.
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People brings lots of flowers and fruits for votive offerings. Photo by Ha An.
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This Vu Lan Festival, Quan Su Pagoda holds two events for followers including a prayer for forsaken spirits and another for departed members of the families.
Tran Quoc Temple
Tran Quoc Temple was ranked among best architectural temples in the world.
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A vendor sells caged birds, turtles and fishes for prayers to do the symbolic practice of freeing. Photo by Ha An.
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Phuc Khanh Buddhist Temple
Thousands of followers pray at Phuc Khanh Buddhist temple at the Vu Lan Festival. Photo by Ha Vi/ Laodong newspaper.
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An enchanted corner of Phuc Khanh Pagoda at the Vu Lan Festival. Photo by Ha Vi/ Laodong Newspaper.
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The spiritual activities during this Vu Lan Festival at Phuc Khanh pagoda take place from 2 to 14 in seventh lunar month or August 2 to August 14, 2019 with several praying ceremonies and chanting.
