From 17 to 19 March (the 17th to 19th of the 2nd lunar month), the Quan The Am (Goddess of Mercy) Festival 2014 took place at Quan The Am Pagoda, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District. In attendance were ten thousand Buddhist monks, nuns, pilgrims, tourists and local residents.
The Festival included many impressive celebrations such as “Le khai kinh” (preaching of Buddhist scriptures); “Le te xuan” (a solemn traditional ritual to wish for peace, happiness and prosperity throughout the year); and “Le ruoc anh sang” (prayers for the “leading of the light”, which means a bright mind in Buddhism). The gala activities include many cultural activities such as a photo exhibition about the Marble Mountains, a calligraphy exhibition, “bai choi” (singing while acting as playing cards), floating flower garlands and coloured lanterns on the Co Co River. There are also many traditional games including tug-of-war, stick pushing competitions, and boat racing.
Most notably, the Festival also witnessed the participation of a delegation of monks from Thailand. The Thai visitors presented a lotus-shaped platform made of flowers and leaves in worshipping the Naga (Snake God) comprised of 7 snake heads. Japanese and Vietnamese calligraphers also performed their art at the Festival.
Quan The Am (Avalokitecvara Buddhisattava, Goddess of Mercy) Festival, a big Buddhist festival, is celebrated annually at the Marble Mountains. It starts on the 19th day of the second lunar month, and the celebrations last for 3 entire days.
Van Hung
Da Nang hosts Goddess of Mercy Festival 2014 Related image(s)
0 comments:
Post a Comment