The 262nd Great Commemoration Ceremony of Patriarch Tue Bich Pho Giac at Ba Vang Pagoda

Quang Ninh, Vietnam - In the spirit of gratitude and repaying the debt of gratitude to the Patriarch of Ba Vang Pagoda, in the morning of September 21, 2019 (the 23rd day of the eighth month in Year of the Pig), Ba Vang Pagoda solemnly celebrated 262nd commemoration ceremony of Truc Lam Zen Master Mahasamon Tue Bich Pho Giac (1658-1757) - the descendant of the Truc Lam zen sect also known as the person who upheld this ancient meditation sect at Ba Vang Pagoda. At the ceremony, Ba Vang Pagoda welcomed the presence and witness of Most Venerable Phra Khananamthammawuthachan - Deputy Head of Anam Nikaya Buddhist Sangha sect of Thailand; Venerable Thich Thien Van - Member of the executive council of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Head of the executive council of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Bac Giang province, Abbot of Vinh Nghiem root temple and thousands of people including Monks, Nuns, Buddhists and guests from many regions around the world.

Venerable Phra Khananamthammawuthachan - Deputy Head of Anam Nikaya Buddhist Sangha sect of Thailand.

Venerable Thich Thien Van offering tea to the Patriarch's Spirit during the ceremony.

Monks at the Commemoration Ceremony at Ba Vang Pagoda.

Thousands of People Sincerely Came to Ba Vang Pagoda to Attend the Great Commemoration Ceremony

A large number of Buddhists from all over the country sincerely showed up at Ba Vang Pagoda and vowed to practise the eight precepts in one full day and night in order to commemorate the great merit of the Patriarch.

Thousands of Buddhists attended the Commemoration Ceremony  at Ba Vang Pagoda.

During the ceremony, the Great Assembly respectfully headed towards the Patriarch and expressed their gratitude to commemorate all of His great meritorious work. It has been such great blessings and happiness for the fourfold Assembly of Ba Vang Pagoda to be able to inherit the spirit of Buddhism which He bequeathed to us. Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh, on behalf of the Great Assembly, made a vow to the Patriarchs altar to “preserve the harmonious spirit of the nation” and make this world a land of ultimate bliss through the vision: "Meditation is life, is the mind of compassion for all beings and following the example of Bodhisattva not only in this life but also in next lives.”

Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh making a vow in front of the Patriarch's altar.

Making Offerings to the Patriarchs Spirit

Fresh flowers represent something beautiful and are the symbol of good seeds inside each person such as compassion, filial piety, reverence and gratitude. The scent of the incense signifies the observance of precepts and diligence in doing good deeds. On offering “Oil Lamps” to the Patriarch, we hope that the light of Dharma wisdom will be widespread. "Tea" symbolises the awakening as sentient beings must rely on the Buddha Dharma to be able to distinguish between the good and the bad, so that they will always follow the Buddha's teachings to have a good life. "Fruit" is the symbol of success and achievements, which originates from the good seeds we have sown in the Dharma.

Buddhists making offerings to the Patriarchs spirit at the Commemoration ceremony at Ba Vang Pagoda

The Sangha and Buddhists made those offerings with their deepest mind of sincerity towards the Patriarch. This was not only a way to express the gratitude of the Dharma descendants towards the Great Men but also an opportunity to practise the virtue of making offerings as the Buddha taught in the Dhammapada over 2,600 years ago: 

“Though month after month with a thousand, 

one should make an offering for a hundred years, 

yet, if, only for a moment, one should honour (a Saint) who has perfected himself 

- that honour is, indeed, better than a century of sacrifice.”

Commemorating Patriarch's Merit through a Meditation Session

On this day, Buddhists also had the chance to attend a meditation session guided by Monks of the Pagoda. The aim of the meditation was that meditators would be aware of the merit of the Patriarch.

Commemorating Patriarch's merit through a meditation session in the Main Hall.

The anniversary ended successfully in joy and delight of the Great Assembly. Hopefully, through the Commemoration Ceremony, the fourfold Assembly will always diligently practise the mind of gratitude which is the foremost mind of a Buddhist, so as to prolong the true Dharma more and more in this realm of Saha world. Read more: Patriarch Tue Bich Pho Giac – The Descendant of the Truc Lam Zen Sect