On the evening of 29/5, the Hue City chapter of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha inaugurated the flower float parade and a cultural performance program in homage to the Vesak festival, Buddhist calendar 2570. From the afternoon, 32 flower floats from pagodas and Buddhist temples across the city gathered on Le Duan Street, in front of the Phu Van Lau relic, to participate in the parade through various streets.
The flower floats were elaborately decorated with many Buddhist symbols. Prominently featured were dioramas depicting the birth of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, alongside models conveying messages of compassion, peace, and wisdom. Some floats recreated the image of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, who self-immolated for the Dharma in 1963 to protect Vietnamese Buddhism, attracting significant attention from many Buddhists.
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The flower floats followed each other on Le Duan Street. Photo: Vo Thanh |
The flower floats followed each other on Le Duan Street. Photo: Vo Thanh
Following the route, the procession of flower floats started from Le Duan Street, passed through Tran Hung Dao, Huynh Thuc Khang, Mai Thuc Loan, Doan Thi Diem, Le Huan, Thach Han, and Nguyen Trai streets, then continued along Le Duan, Nguyen Van Linh, Dinh Tien Hoang streets, crossed Nguyen Hoang Bridge, and Dao Tan Street, concluding at Tu Dam Pagoda in Thuan Hoa ward. Along both sides of the road, thousands of monks, nuns, Buddhists, and residents watched, clasping their hands in prayer as Buddhist music resonated from the procession.
Welcoming the flower float procession on Le Duan Street, Nguyen Thi Hoa, 62 years old, stated that she attends this event every year. She said the sparkling lights and chanting made her deeply feel the peaceful atmosphere of Buddha's Birthday season. "This is not only a holiday for Buddhists but also a spiritual cultural beauty of Hue for decades", said Ms. Hoa.
On Tran Hung Dao Street, Tran Van Phuc, 39 years old, watched the flower float procession with his family and expressed his impression of the image of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc. According to him, this is a symbol of sacrifice, compassion, and the spirit of protecting the Dharma.
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The flower float was decorated with many eye-catching dragon heads. Photo: Vo Thanh |
The flower float was decorated with many eye-catching dragon heads. Photo: Vo Thanh
On this occasion, the Hue City chapter of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha launched and lit seven giant pink lotus flowers on the Huong River. Many pagodas and central city streets were also adorned with Buddhist flags and lotus lanterns to welcome the Vesak festival.
According to the plan, the Hue City chapter of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will organize the Buddha bathing ritual at Dieu De Pagoda by the Dong Ba River and a Buddha procession from Dieu De Pagoda to Tu Dam Ancestral Pagoda on the 14th day of the 4th lunar month. The Vesak festival, Buddhist calendar 2570, will officially take place on the 15th day of the 4th lunar month at Tu Dam Ancestral Pagoda.
The Vesak festival commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. Previously, many East Asian countries celebrated Buddha's Birthday on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month. After the first World Buddhist Congress in 1950, 26 member nations agreed to observe Buddha's Birthday on the full moon day of the 4th lunar month.
Since 1999, the United Nations has recognized Vesak as a world spiritual and cultural festival. Buddha's Birthday is one of three events constituting Vesak, along with the Buddha's enlightenment and the Buddha's parinirvana.
Vo Thanh
