Going to the temple at the beginning of the year.
(NAO) - Starting from early morning on the first day of Tet (Lunar New Year), and in the days that followed, despite the biting cold weather, a large number of people in Vinh City went to Can Linh Pagoda, Hong Son Temple, and many other temples and pagodas to pray for peace, prosperity, and good fortune for their families and the country in the new year.
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Each temple and shrine has different types of Buddhist followers; people visit the temple they believe in. Ms. Hoang Thi Binh, a small business owner at Vinh market, goes to the temple on the 4th day of Tet (Lunar New Year) every year to pray for a peaceful and prosperous new year for her family. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Toan, the director of a limited liability company, says his main purpose in going to the temple is to listen to sermons and donate money to charity. He says, "I'm very busy and don't have time to do charity work directly, so I go to the temple to express my heartfelt support to those in difficult circumstances." Some people go to the temple simply to admire the scenery and find moments of peace, like Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai and her daughter (Ha Huy Tap Street, Vinh): "If we don't go to the temple at the beginning of the year, our minds will be restless all year. We don't pray for wealth or fortune, we just want to find moments of tranquility."
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Thousands of people come to the temple, each with different intentions, but ultimately sharing the benevolent hearts of people in this world directed towards the Buddha's teachings. Can Linh Temple and Hoang Muoi Shrine are simple and lack the ancient appearance of larger temples. Even on major holidays, there is no scene of billowing incense smoke, overflowing offerings of fruit and money; only the warm, steady voice of the monk preaching, with hundreds, even thousands, of Buddhists listening respectfully and sincerely with clasped hands.
Upon arriving at the temple, no one fails to buy a calendar, a few Buddhist scriptures, or some calligraphy carefully selected from Buddhist teachings to hang in their home for contemplation. Many also linger a little longer to enjoy a simple vegetarian meal, reminding themselves to restrain themselves from worldly desires.
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After 365 days of a year spent busy with daily necessities, immersed in the joys, sorrows, loves, and hates of everyday life, dedicating one day at the beginning of the year to visiting a temple and listening to Buddhist scriptures can bring peace and tranquility to the heart throughout the year.
Text and photos: Tran Hai
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