Lantern Parade to offer to the Buddha - the sparkling “Milky Way” amidst Thanh Dang mountain
In the Vesak Celebration 2022 held at Ba Vang Pagoda, the event “Lantern Parade to offer to the Buddha” on May 8th was a remarkable event in all of the series.
With all respect to the World Honored One, the Sangha and more than 40,000 people from different countries with lanterns in hands, slowly circumambulated the Buddha statue, creating a scene of the sparkling “Milky Way” in the middle of Thanh Dang mountain. In a solemn and emotional moment, Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh, on behalf of the Sangha and lay Buddhists, has expressed their infinite gratitude for the boundless love that the Buddha had for all mankind. Also, he vowed to follow the Buddha's footsteps on the path of serving sentient beings, to bring the light of wisdom and compassion to the world, so that all can live in happiness and peace.
“The World Honored One is ‘the great light', ‘the sunlight of life'. Your light illuminates the world so that sentient beings can find the way out of the cycle of birth and death. We are ‘little lights' that follow the Buddha's. We vow to go to the Buddha's enlightenment and spread your wisdom to the world to light up the ignorant beings. We truly vow to take refuge in you to keep this light eternal, to save the world from suffering.” said Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh.
The meaning of the event “Lantern Parade to offer to the Buddha” night was made perfect with sutras chanted in both Vietnamese and Pali, demonstrating the harmony in Buddhism, regardless of geographical distance, skin color, or language.
“Happy is the Buddhas birth, happy is the Dharmas preaching, happy is the Sanghas harmony, happy is the unity of the Fourfold Assembly.”
The Sangha from different countries solemnly joined their hands to pay homage to the Infant Buddha statue with the deepest gratitude.
Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh — the Abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda, Vietnam, in the Lantern Parade to offer to the Buddha
International monks righteously followed the lines to the ceremony area.
The Buddhist monks from Bangladesh in the Lantern Parade to offer to the Buddha at Ba Vang Pagoda, Vietnam.
Thai monks with the lanterns as a symbol of enlightenment, along with other international monks were marching to the ceremony area.
Despite being from different countries, the Sangha shared the same route, bringing the “little light” following the “great light” of the Buddha, illuminating the world.
The light of wisdom to offer to the Buddha with full respect and gratitude
Monastic guests in the Lantern Parade to offer to the Buddha at Ba Vang Pagoda, Vietnam.
The Buddhist monks performed chanting ceremonies in Vietnamese and Pali around the Infant Buddha statue.
The two Kappiya- the attendants of Thai Buddhist Monks joined hands, solemnly offered the light to the Buddha.
Buddhist monks of different countries were leading the parade, circumambulating the statue of the Infant Buddha.
A monastic guest in the Lantern Parade to offer to the Buddha.
The Honored Monk in deepest emotion of gratitude towards The World Honored One in front of the Infant Buddhas statue.
Venerable Shoura Jagat Bhikshu,Vice president, Supreme council and representatives of the Buddhist monks from Bangladesh joined the walking mediation in Lantern Parade to offer to the Buddha.
The Unity Four Assembly solemnly gathered in front of the Main Hall before the parade.
Representatives of Laos Buddhist monks in the Lantern Parade to offer to the Buddha at Ba Vang Pagoda, Vietnam.
Venerable Anousak Moonphokay and representatives of the Buddhist monks from Laos and Bangladesh joined their hands together solemnly in the ceremony.
With the “light of wisdom” in hands, Ba Vang pagodas Sangha in walking mediation in the Lantern Parade to offer to the Buddha
Nuns of Ba Vang Pagoda in the sparkling light parade offerings to Buddha.
The Sangha joined hands to pay homage to the Infant Buddha statue with full respect.
The Buddhists turned their hearts following Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh, respectfully raised the lantern and made offerings to the Buddha.
The “little lights” follow the “great light” of the Buddha.
Little Buddhists in traditional Korean Hanbok, with lotus lamps in hand to make offerings to the Buddha.
The sparkling night has ended, but the light of the Buddha Dharma will forever be lit up in the heart of every Buddhist. Let us hope that the emotions of the celebration will stay forever in everybody's mind, nourish our spirits, and encourage us to diligently cultivate ourselves for the sake of the Dharma's preservation and propagation, that's also for the sake of us and all beings.
