Vu Lan Festival and the Significance of the Rose Worn on the Chest

Over thousands of years, the Vu Lan Festival has always been one of the most vibrant cultural celebrations in the spiritual life of every Vietnamese person.

What is Vu Lan Festival?

Vu Lan Festival originates from the story of the filial piety of Muc Lien.

Initially a practitioner of a different faith, Muc Lien converted and became a prominent disciple of the Buddha, recognized for his extraordinary spiritual powers.

The Story of Vu Lan Festival: Buddha Statue at Bai Dinh Pagoda.

After attaining the Arahant stage, Muc Lien remembered his mother and used his divine sight to look down at the suffering realms, only to find his mother suffering as a hungry ghost in the hell of Avici.

Seeing his mother emaciated, hungry and thirsty, Muc Lien used his powers to bring her food, but tragically, the rice turned to fire as it neared her mouth. With no other option, Muc Lien returned to the Buddha to seek guidance on how to save her.

The Buddha informed Muc Lien that due to the karmic consequences from past lives, his mother had been reborn as a hungry ghost. The Buddha instructed him that he alone could not save her; he needed the collective power of all the monks to pray for her salvation.

Muc Lien had to respectfully invite monks from all directions, particularly those who had attained the six supernatural powers, as only through their collective prayers could his mother’s spirit be liberated from suffering.

The Buddha also instructed Muc Lien to prepare various offerings including food, incense, candles, bedding, and clothes, to present to the monks. On the full moon of the seventh month, a prayer ceremony was to be held. Before eating, the monks would pray for the parents and ancestors of the benefactors to attain liberation…

Muc Lien followed the Buddha’s teachings, and indeed, his mother’s spirit was liberated from the realm of hungry ghosts and reborn in a good realm.

The Buddha also taught that anyone wishing to honor their parents should follow this practice (Vu Lan Bồn Pháp). Thus, the Vu Lan Festival was born.

The Rose Worn on the Chest

In today’s society, many people believe that providing their parents with material wealth is sufficient to fulfill their filial duties. However, they may not realize that for elderly parents, financial support often pales in comparison to the genuine care, inquiries, and encouragement from their children.

A psychologist has stated that for the elderly, spiritual life can sometimes be more important than material life. Therefore, do not let a pragmatic lifestyle interfere with family bonds, especially with your parents. Avoid turning sacred acts, such as the love between parents and children, into mere formalities.

During this Vu Lan season, express your sincere affection and care for your parents. Besides taking care of them, also engage in activities that truly bring them joy and peace in their old age. A gift of health would be a meaningful and practical gesture for your beloved parents.

In the lunar month of July, households throughout Vietnam respectfully enter the Vu Lan season, a time for honoring parents.

On the full moon of July, regardless of how busy they are, mothers and sisters carefully prepare offerings to present to their ancestors, sending a humane message of life: Think of your Parents, open your hearts to humanity, and love each other more.

The Red Rose Worn on the Chest.

During these days, it is not uncommon to witness touching scenes: regardless of age or gender, those participating in the Vu Lan Festival are sincere and filled with emotion as they receive a rose pinned to their chests.

The Rose and the Season of Vu Lan

The Rose Pinning Ceremony according to Professor-Doctor Ngo Duc Thinh – Director of the Center for Research and Preservation of Vietnamese Cultural Beliefs, originates from a piece of writing about Mother by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in the 1960s.

During a business trip to Japan, the Zen Master was taken aback when he was presented with a white flower pinned to his chest by the Japanese. After learning about its beautiful meaning, he chose the rose as a symbol for the Vu Lan Festival honoring parents and published the work “The Rose Worn on the Chest” in 1962.

The rose was chosen as a symbol of love, nobility, and fragrance. Remembering one’s parents and pinning a rose on the chest is the most beautiful expression of filial piety that children send to their parents. With this meaning, many Vietnamese people pin a pink rose on their clothing during Vu Lan, symbolizing that their parents are still alive. Those who have lost their mothers wear a white rose.

The Meaning of the Rose on the Chest

Those wearing a red rose are undoubtedly proud to have living parents. In contrast, those wearing a white rose are reminded of the precious loss they have experienced, prompting them to act in accordance with their conscience. Vu Lan is a special occasion for the younger generation to slow down and love more.

Visitors to temples never forget to pause and pin a rose to their chests, reminding them of their parents’ contributions. A red rose signifies those fortunate to still have parents, a pink rose for those with a mother but no father, and a white rose for those unfortunate enough to have lost both parents…

The rose symbolizes love and nobility. Remembering one’s parents and pinning a noble rose on the chest is the most beautiful and respectful sentiment toward them. With this profound meaning, many Vietnamese people pin a rose on their clothing during Vu Lan.

Another Vu Lan season is approaching. This is an opportunity for everyone to slow down, to love and share more as life becomes increasingly chaotic and harsh. It is a time for each child to express their heartfelt gratitude to their parents, those who have nurtured them.

Have you ever wondered: How long has it been since you last expressed love to your parents? How long has it been since you spent quality time with family or gifted your parents something meaningful? Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity; take the most practical and sincere actions to show your gratitude to your parents!

Vu Lan Festival: Honoring Parents

Vu Lan is a festival of filial piety, one of the main holidays in Buddhism. This festival coincides with the Full Moon of the Seventh Month, a day to absolve the spirits of the dead in Eastern customs.

The Season of Honoring Parents in the Lunar July is also a time for us to slow down and love more.

Traditionally, on this day, all souls in hell have the opportunity to be absolved and to be reborn in a peaceful realm. According to folk beliefs, the Full Moon of July is when the gates of hell are opened, granting mercy to the spirits, leading to the practice of offering to the wandering souls (in the evening) for those spirits without homes or families on the earthly plane.

Especially for the youth, when remembering their beloved parents who may have been neglected in the swift pace of modern life, the Season of Honoring Parents in the Lunar July is a chance for us to slow down and love more, sending our feelings and real actions to the unfortunate souls around us.

We act to feel lighthearted, joyful, and tranquil, acting to comprehend the simple yet profound philosophy of Buddhism: “Kindness, compassion, joy, equanimity” or “non-self, altruism,” continuing the mainstream ethos of our nation: “When drinking water, remember its source,” “When enjoying fruit, remember the one who planted the tree.”

You may choose to pin a flower on your chest or not during Vu Lan, but reflecting on this day with a humane significance is also a way to express gratitude for this beautiful life.

Why Do Monks Wear Yellow Roses?

Monks have renounced worldly life to live as ascetics. They borrow the physical body, created by their parents, to “attain liberation above and save sentient beings below.” The ultimate goal of achieving enlightenment is the most profound way to repay the gratitude owed to their parents in this life and in many past lives.

Instead of wearing red or white roses to represent living parents, which is indeed appropriate according to the laws of nature, monks have a broader, greater, and more noble parental figure—this encompasses all sentient beings. Therefore, they wear yellow roses to express this high ideal.

In Buddhism, yellow symbolizes liberation, akin to the supreme field of blessings, and represents the Earth. On the ground, we can step, trample, plow, spit, or do anything… the Earth remains unchanged, for it embodies life, patience, and bears all, accepting everything. By viewing all sentient beings as parents, relatives, and, most importantly, as future Buddhas, they embody this compassion.

Moreover, yellow is the color of wisdom, symbolizing letting go, renunciation, non-attachment, and the attainment of liberation.

Thus, even while immersing themselves in the Vu Lan festival, monks wish to borrow the yellow color of flowers to convey the true spirit of Vu Lan as a means of liberation.

Meaningful Acts to Perform During Vu Lan Festival

In Vietnam, the Vu Lan festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month each year. During this time, Buddhists often visit temples to chant prayers, hoping that the deceased and all sentient beings find peace and warmth, while wishing for good health for those still living to be by the side of their descendants.

Additionally, families prepare elaborate meals for the Vu Lan festival to offer to their ancestors, the Buddha, and to perform acts of liberation for spirits, showing gratitude and sincerity. Practicing vegetarianism is also seen as a way to pray and accumulate virtue. For those who still have living parents, it is common to give meaningful gifts and well wishes. On Vu Lan, individuals living far from home strive to arrange time to reunite with their families.

The Significance of Worship During Vu Lan

The Vu Lan festival coincides with the Full Moon of the 7th month, a time for honoring spirits in East Asian customs. According to folk belief, this is the day when the gates of hell are opened, granting pardon to the spirits. Therefore, offerings are made for the “hungry ghosts” who lack homes, support, or relatives in the mortal world; it is also a time when all prisoners in hell may have a chance to atone and be reborn. Thus, in addition to offering meals to ancestors at home, people also prepare outdoor offerings for spirits who are lost and without support.

In Buddhism, during the Vu Lan festival, practitioners often pray for the deceased, perform charitable acts, and release animals to accumulate merit and seek peace, hoping for their parents’ blessings and longevity while resolving karmic obstacles.

Moreover, during Vu Lan, when visiting temples, practitioners receive a rose pinned to their clothing: a red rose symbolizes having a living mother, while a white rose represents those who have lost their mothers. Those fortunate enough to wear a red rose are reminded to wholeheartedly obey, respect, and honor their parents. Conversely, those with a white rose are reminded never to forget their parents’ kindness while upholding family values and maintaining harmony among siblings.

Today, the Vu Lan festival is understood to have a broader meaning: it calls for social awareness about the spirit of gratitude taught by the Buddha, encouraging people to be thankful and repay the four sources of kindness: gratitude towards biological parents; teachers who impart knowledge; ancestors who built the nation; and the brave heroes who sacrificed for the independence and sacred sovereignty of the country, and ultimately, gratitude towards fellow human beings.

In today’s era, the spirit of filial piety needs to be elevated and strongly promoted to ensure this tradition continues to be nurtured, becoming a cultural strength of our nation today and forever.

Things to Avoid During Vu Lan Festival

Avoid Killing

According to folk beliefs, killing on the Full Moon of the 7th lunar month will adversely affect family happiness and lead to misfortunes such as business failures and illnesses. Instead of killing on Vu Lan, one should practice vegetarianism, release animals, and perform good deeds to accumulate merit for themselves and their families.

Avoid Opening Businesses or Holding Weddings

The 7th month is considered the “month of wandering spirits,” a time when lost souls roam the earthly realm. Therefore, it is seen as an unlucky month. Thus, during the 7th lunar month, one should avoid opening businesses or holding weddings.

Avoid Engaging in Bad Deeds

In Buddhism, those who commit bad deeds will often face consequences. On Vu Lan, one should avoid quarrels, arguments, or fights with others. It is especially important to do good deeds, help others, and sincerely pray for good fortune and peace to come to one’s family.

The Vu Lan festival occurs on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month every year. In 2024, Vu Lan will be celebrated on August 18, which falls on a Sunday.

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