Vietnamese New Year Celebration
February 10, 2008
To celebrate the Vietnamese New Year, the Vietnamese Buddhist community of Frankfurt put on different programs and ceremonies on February 9, 2008, to mark the occasion. Almost 2000 visitors from the entire state participated in the Buddhist ceremonies and the evening maintenance program.
After the opening ceremony, visitors had the opportunity to take refuge in the three jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha). By doing this, the refugee commits to avoid planting seeds of improper actions, instead sowing seeds of wellness and nourishment.
The Abbot of the Pagoda, Thich Thien Son, welcomed the “Year of the Rat” with a speech: What can we do to create “a good 2008?” We should be gentle in handling ourselves and others – not to injure ourselves and other sentient beings, to practice harmony and release envy. And lastly, the most difficult thing: we should try not to assume and learn to love – only then we will be able to feel genuine sympathy to all sentient beings.
Those who could not take refuge before had another opportunity after the New Year speech. And even after all ceremonies part were officially ended, the Buddha Hall remained filled with visitors long into the night. Incense sticks were ignited for the fulfillment of New Year desires, sumptuous offerings were placed before the different Buddha statues, and dedications for welfare of ill and deceased relatives were recited.
The evening’s program also offered cultural events – dancing and singing, as well as combat demonstrations and theatre performances. A multicultural, exotic buffet was on hand to take care of the physical well-being of the numerous guests. The large Buddhist celebration did not only serve to profess the Buddhist faith, but served an important social function for all people in Germany and beyond.
No comments yet.