In Russia, Mother's Day is November 24. In Vietnam, every second Sunday in May ("Mua Vu Lan") is a time to express a son's piety to his parents, especially their gratitude and appreciation to their mother. The tradition of celebrating came from the West, but Vietnam has its own legend that prompted Vietnamese children to honor their parents and try to help the lost souls of their ancestors return to Earth and find peace. "Mua Vu Lan" is closely related to the Asian tradition of worshipping ancestors and sons of piety. It is also known as a Buddhist festival, a traditional event to celebrate the glorification of maternal love, which is solemnly held once a year in Vietnam. And it takes place on the 2nd Sunday in May.

What does this legend really mean?

The legend dates back to the earliest period of The development of Buddhism. One day while meditating, Muc Kien Lien, one of the ten main disciples of Buddha, saw his late mother suffer from hellish torment, condemned for the bad deeds she had committed throughout her life. He saw that his mother was starving, but she had nothing to eat but fire. Muc Kien Lien called all her spiritual strength to bring her a bowl of rice, but the food burned to the ashes before she had time to bring it to her mouth. When he returned to the physical world, he asked Buddha's counsel to help his mother and fulfill his duty of a pious son. Buddha advised him to gather a congregation of monks and devotees and make them pray together on this day (this falls on August 15th on the Western calendar (7th moon) and in Vietnam is celebrated as - Festival of Hungry Spirits). The combined prayers were so powerful that they achieved the liberation not only of Muc Kien Lien's mother, but also of many other souls. Since then, at the Festival of Hungry Spirits - the gates of hell are believed to open to give exhausted souls a 24-hour feast.

"Mua Vu Lan" is considered a spiritual month in Vietnamese culture as a way to honor the dead. On this day, the souls are believed to return to their former homes. At this gathering of monks in many Buddhist countries, it was customary to offer food, clothing and other items to hungry spirits in the month when the kingdoms of heaven, hell and the living were discovered.

The purpose of this ceremony is to feed the hungry spirits and pray for their salvation. This ceremony is a way for people to fulfill their compassionate son's duty. During the ceremony, offerings are made to save up to seven generations of ancestors from any suffering they may experience. During the month each family can choose a day to present the holiday and burn the paper and incense in front of the house to invite the spirits to eat.

The most outstanding feature of the ceremony is the "food donation" Once the incense burns, everyone can take food. No one will stop them, because it is believed that spirits can be angry if they do. Moreover, many specially distribute this food to passers-by. The ceremony is also a great opportunity for people to express their gratitude to their parents. Another tradition of this day for people - Buddhists and non-Buddhists - who want to express their gratitude and gratitude to their mothers to go to the pagoda, often take with them a rose. Thousands of people flock to the pagodas with red roses if their parents are alive, or white roses if their parents have passed away. Rose is a symbol of love between parents and their children, regardless of social origin.

Modern look

This day is a chance to forgive the guilty unrepeatable souls. People worship ghosts and release animals such as birds or fish. Although young people are now living faster and becoming increasingly unfamiliar with traditional values, they still deeply love and respect their parents. That is why many young people visit pagodas and give their parents flowers on this day. Tradition is no longer exclusive to Buddhists, but an excuse for everyone to express their love for their parents. This cultural trait does not disappear over time, but becomes more and more diverse. The festival is no longer exclusively for Buddhists, but is an occasion for everyone to express their love to their parents. This cultural trait has not disappeared over time, but has become more diverse.

The variety of the festival "Mua Vu Lan " can be seen all over the country with many different types of holding.