Filial piety during the Vu Lan season: Preserving cultural values for the younger generation.
In Nghe An, the Vu Lan festival is no longer confined to the space of temples but has become a cultural tradition that touches the hearts of all people and is continued by the younger generation.
Places to express gratitude
Throughout the entire province, the Vu Lan festival has been continuously organized on a solemn and heartwarming scale across the province. At Tung Lam Diec Co Pagoda (Diec Pagoda) – a historical pagoda in the heart of Vinh city – a packed schedule, from the opening ceremony and lectures on the meaning of the Vu Lan season to the "Gratitude to Parents" cultural evening and the dazzling lantern festival, attracted tens of thousands of people. Equally grand, other religious sites such as Da Pagoda (Au Lac Ancient Temple), Thanh Van Pagoda, Chi Linh Pagoda, and Tu Pagoda… also simultaneously held grand ceremonies with themes like "Don't let words of love remain unspoken" or "Return to love – 9 months and 10 days"…
In particular, the Vu Lan festival takes on a unique character as it is closely linked to the Vietnamese principle of "drinking water, remembering the source." This includes the grand ceremony to pray for the souls of the fallen heroes and martyrs at the Vietnam-Laos Martyrs' Cemetery, the resting place of over 11,000 martyrs. Here, the candle-lighting ceremony is not only an offering of gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland but also a lesson in gratitude towards our ancestors, those who preserved every inch of our homeland.
The most striking aspect of this year's Vu Lan festival was the massive participation of the people, especially young people. At every event, from urban centers to remote villages, the ceremonial spaces were always packed with attendees.
During the hours-long chanting sessions, amidst the solemn incense smoke and rhythmic drumming, thousands of people maintained their solemnity and serenity. And during the lectures on filial piety, the moment of pinning flowers onto their chests, many could not hide their emotions…
Attending the event at Tung Lam Diec Co for the first time, Ms. Nguyen Hoai Phuong (Vinh Phu ward) couldn't hide her amazement: "I was truly impressed with the scale of the program and the number of attendees. All three floors of the temple were packed, with many young people."
With this series of activities spanning an extended period, I feel this is an extremely meaningful event, reminding us of the gratitude that is sometimes forgotten in the hustle and bustle of life. I believe that activities like this will spread a positive effect, helping each person to live more kindly."
Not only Buddhists, but also non-Buddhists come to experience a sense of peace during the Vu Lan festival. Ms. Nguyen Nhu Bien (Thanh Vinh ward), who spent a whole day participating in the ceremony at Dong Yen Pagoda (Quynh Phu), shared: "Although I'm not religious, the solemn atmosphere and the meticulousness of the organizers moved me deeply. In that sacred space, everyone turned their thoughts to their ancestors and parents with the utmost respect. The experience of staying and eating vegetarian food at the pagoda with everyone was truly an impressive memory."
Preserving and promoting the cultural values and vitality of the Vu Lan Festival in Nghe An today is significantly contributed to by the attention and support of the local government. Just before the Vu Lan season, the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee organized delegations to visit, present flowers, and congratulate the Executive Board of the Buddhist Association.BuddhismThe province, as well as the temples, celebrate the Vu Lan festival during this season of filial piety. This is evidence of the state's recognition of the beautiful moral values of Buddhism, affirming the role and cultural value of the Vu Lan festival.
It is evident that Vu Lan in Nghe An today is not simply a standalone religious ceremony. It has blended into the long-standing tradition of ancestor worship among the Vietnamese people, becoming a unique cultural feature, a "festival of filial piety" for the entire nation. Transcending the boundaries of faith, Vu Lan is an occasion for the people of Nghe An to return to their roots, warm family bonds, and strengthen solidarity in profound gratitude.
From the temple roof to the classroom
If the solemn ceremonies at the temples are the "soul" of the Vu Lan season, then transforming those moral values into the awareness of the younger generation is the "body" that helps filial piety endure over time.
In recent years, the presence and participation of a large number of young people at events during the Vu Lan festival has become commonplace. Young people participate in the festival season very deeply, from voluntarily cleaning and decorating the ceremony to directly participating in the rituals.
The spread of the Vu Lan culture is also evident in the fact that many educational institutions in Nghe An have incorporated lessons on filial piety into their official extracurricular programs. For example, at Tue Duc Green School in Nghe An, the Vu Lan festival is held annually as a deeply moving celebration of gratitude. Here, filial piety is concretized through practical actions.
Accordingly, the children were told by their teachers about their origins and the "nine months and ten days" of pregnancy and childbirth to awaken their appreciation for maternal love. Beyond theory, the students also participated in a series of practical activities: writing heartfelt cards, singing songs of gratitude to their parents, and packing bags of foot-soaking water to take home for their parents… These small actions are the most visual way to educate, helping children understand that gratitude is also a kind of happiness.
As a young person from Generation Z, Nguyen Thi Quynh Anh (a student at Vinh University) shared: "From what I've learned, been taught, and from my own experiences, I understand that filial piety doesn't necessarily have to be something extraordinary. It lies in small acts of gratitude in daily life." To avoid regretting "not having had the chance to express her love," Quynh Anh maintains the habit of returning to her hometown every weekend, spending as much time as possible with her parents, helping with household chores, and capturing beautiful moments with her loved ones.
From a cultural perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Hong affirmed that the filial piety of Vu Lan has "deeply permeated the blood and flesh of generations of people in Nghe An" for thousands of years.Vu Lan"It's a rest for the soul, allowing each person, especially the younger generation, to pause amidst the hustle and bustle, look back at their roots, and live more compassionately," shared Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Hong.
As long as vibrant red roses are still pinned to the lapel, and as lessons of filial piety continue to be passed down from the classroom to every home, we have every right to believe that this beautiful cultural tradition will forever be a strong bond connecting the past, present, and future.
