These days, pagodas, streets, and residential areas in Hue are decorated with colorful lanterns and lotus symbols in celebration of Vesak. Huynh Van Khang, a Buddhist follower in Thuy Xuan ward, said that every Vesak season is an occasion for people to show kindness and pray for peace, prosperity, and social harmony.
Mr. Khang said: “On the occasion of Vesak, we’re reminded of the compassion at the heart of Buddhism. Besides making offerings, we also organize charitable activities for disadvantaged youth groups, including donating lanterns and flags so their families can join in celebrating Vesak.”
Many pagodas and Buddhist followers in Hue have organized charity programs to provide gifts and assistance to poor families, elderly people living alone, and disadvantaged patients. Nun Lien Tri, Deputy Head of the Social Charity Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Hue city, said that during this year’s Vesak celebrations, her organization has distributed more than 1,000 gift packages to poor households and poor patients receiving cancer treatment at Hue Central Hospital, and has supported struggling families in remote areas.
Nun Lien Tri said: “Charity is about opening our hearts with compassion and easing suffering. Even a small gift or livelihood support can bring relief and happiness to others. The material value may not be great, but it represents compassion from one person to another, from heart to heart. As followers of the Buddha, we want to express that spirit of loving kindness.”
This year’s Vesak celebrations feature a lighting ceremony of 7 lotus lanterns on the Perfume River, Buddhist cultural exhibitions, vegetarian food festivals, flower-float parades, the ceremonial bathing of the Buddha, Buddha processions, and an official Vesak ceremony at Tu Dam pagoda on the full moon day of the 4th lunar month.
Most Venerable Thich Khe Chon, head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Hue city, said Vesak encourages monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers to strengthen solidarity, live virtuously, and spread humanitarian values throughout the community.
“Living with awareness of oneself and compassion for all beings is something society deeply needs. The teachings of the Buddha from thousands of years ago still resonate today. Every Vesak season reminds us to uphold the spirit of Buddhist practitioners, both monastic and lay followers, on the path toward liberation. In doing so, our celebration of Vesak becomes even more meaningful,” said Most Venerable Thich Khe Chon.
Amid the joyful atmosphere of the Vesak season, charitable activities spread compassion and kindness, and offer people an opportunity to practice loving-kindness and serve humanity in accordance with the Buddha’s teachings.
