Vu Lan festival – The pulse of life’s hurry

“A rose for you

A rose for me

And a rose for those

For those who still have a mother”

The lyrics lead us into the sacred moment of placing a rose on the left side of the chest. The red flower gently reminds those who still have their mother to cherish every moment spent with her. Though we know that words of love are not always easy to say, those who are still fortunate enough to have their mother should express their love while she can still hear, while her heart can still be moved.

If one is sadly placing a white rose, its pure color reminds that those who have lost their mother, lost the most precious thing in the world, should live well so that the departed loved ones can rest in peace. Many people cannot hold back tears when they pin the white rose, for it represents an unhappiness, emptiness, and deep longing when losing a mother. This pain is often compared to a wound that will never heal.

Whether the rose is red or white, every time we pin the flower during the Vu Lan season, the flower becomes a time machine that takes us back to the past, allowing us to pause from the rush, reflect on the joyful and sorrowful memories, and cherish those moments with our mothers.

Vu Lan is not only a day of filial piety but has also become a festival of humanity in the urban areas developed by Phu Long, notably Dragon City and Splendora. This meaningful event is organized specifically for residents to honor the moral values and the long-standing tradition of filial piety, while wishing for peace and prosperity for the residents. On a broader meaning, Vu Lan is also a day of “forgiving the departed souls,” remembering those who have passed. Considering the concept of “Two Worlds,” we recognize that a crucial element in shaping the essence and culture of our nation is compassion, a forgiving mindset that helps build a harmonious life. The “Praying for the Souls” ceremony was incorporated into the Vu Lan festival organized by Phu Long, expressing love for the departed who are missing their loved ones and demonstrating forgiveness with the spirit of repentance.

Every year, during the seventh lunar month, Phu Long Company, together with the Tường Nguyên Charity Association and the residents, solemnly organizes the Vu Lan filial piety ceremony, with children eagerly awaiting this event to express their gratitude to their parents.

Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Dragon City Vu Lan Festival 2020 was not organized on a large scale as in previous years to avoid large gatherings. However, the ceremony was still held solemnly following Buddhist rituals, conveying the message of gratitude to parents for their upbringing and nurturing.