Event calendar

1. Lunar December:

– 29th or 30th of December: New Year's Eve Ceremony 

The ceremony takes place throughout the territory of Vietnam. On the afternoon of the 29th or 30th of December (if it is a leap year with an extra month of December), after the year-end offering ceremony (Tất Niên), elders, typically fathers or grandfathers, often guide their children and grandchildren to scatter lime powder in the shape of an arch. These symbolic arches are arranged to face the four directions—East, West, South, and North—and are placed at the front gate, backyard, and garden entrances. The purpose is to ward off evil spirits and prevent them from disturbing the household. Additionally, a tall bamboo pole, called "Cây Nêu," is erected in front of the house, often standing several meters high.

As the New Year approaches, with the old year passing and the new year beginning, the mother or the eldest daughter-in-law of the household rolls up the old bedding mats and stores them away, replacing them with new, clean mats. This ritual is known as "Trừ Tịch," meaning to remove the old mats, symbolizing the replacement of the old with the new.

2. Lunar January:
– 1st: Lunar New Year – Celebrating Spring and Maitreya

This is the celebration of the Lunar New Year, a significant holiday in Vietnam. At Keo Pagoda, the occasion is marked by offerings to the Laughing Buddha (Di Lặc), symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and good fortune for the upcoming year.

– 4th: Keo Pagoda Spring Festival Opening

This marks the beginning of the spring festival at Keo Pagoda, a prominent cultural and religious event. The festival includes various activities such as prayers, rituals, and offerings to welcome the new year and ask for blessings of peace and prosperity.

– 10th: Longevity Celebration for Devotees

This ceremony is dedicated to wishing longevity and good health to the elderly and esteemed Buddhists in the community. It reflects the Vietnamese cultural respect for elders and the Buddhist practice of honoring those with long lives.

– 14th: First Full Moon Ceremony

Celebrated on the first full moon of the lunar new year, the Thượng Nguyên Festival is an important event for Buddhists. It involves prayers and rituals to bring blessings and good fortune for the year ahead.

– 16th to 21st: Early Year Peace Prayers

During this period, the Keo Pagoda hosts the Yearly Prayer for Peace Ceremony, where people come to pray for safety, health, and peace for themselves and their families in the new year. The ceremony includes prayers for the well-being of the community and the country as a whole.

3. Lunar February:
– 19th: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Birthday

“If needed, Avalokiteshvara will manifest in any form to save sentient beings, such as the form of a king, a prime minister, a child, a woman, etc.” (Chapter of Universal Door, Lotus Sutra). The stories of Avalokiteshvara as Thị Kính and the Avalokiteshvara of the Southern Sea (Diệu Thiện) in Vietnam were shaped through the process of cultural assimilation and the basis of this "manifestation" (thị hiện).

The legend of Avalokiteshvara Thị Kính has been widely passed down in Vietnamese folklore through forms of traditional art such as chèo opera, poetic narratives, and more recently, prose stories. According to author Nguyễn Lang in Vietnamese Buddhist History and Discourse, Volume II, “The poetic story of Avalokiteshvara Thị Kính (in Nôm script) remains undated. The Vietnamese edition published by Nguyễn Văn Vĩnh in 1911 consists of 788 verses in lục bát meter and a letter written by Kính Tâm to her parents in parallel prose.”

Based on the content of the story of Avalokiteshvara Thị Kính, it may be a variant from the Goryeo (Korea) Buddhist tradition: “Thị Kính is the daughter of the Mãng family from Lũng Tài district, Đại Bang city, in the Goryeo Kingdom.” However, the context of the story is closely related to an ancient pagoda in Northern Vietnam, Pháp Vân Temple (Chùa Dâu, Bắc Ninh). The statue of Avalokiteshvara at Chùa Dâu is regarded as the Avalokiteshvara Thị Kính, “Look in our southern land, at Vân Temple, where the Buddha Avalokiteshvara resides.” The image of Avalokiteshvara Thị Kính holding a child in her arms, through many variations, closely resembles the stories of Avalokiteshvara as a child and the sending-off of children by Avalokiteshvara. According to scholars, the statue of Avalokiteshvara holding a child first appeared in Vietnamese religious iconography in the 17th century and became well-known by the 18th century. It is still preserved in many temples today.

The poetic story of Avalokiteshvara of the Southern Sea (Quan Âm Nam Hải) contains 1,426 verses and was passed down in folklore prior to the story of Thị Kính. According to Nguyễn Lang (ibid.), the tale of Avalokiteshvara of the Southern Sea originates from a monk during the Yuan dynasty in China. This story has been passed down in Vietnam since the late 14th or 15th century and was adapted into Vietnamese culture. The earliest known Nôm version of the story has not yet been dated. The first Vietnamese edition, Quan Âm Diễn Ca by Huỳnh Tịnh Của, was published in 1897.

In the Vietnamese version, Avalokiteshvara of the Southern Sea was originally Diệu Thiện, the third princess (later known as Chúa Ba) of King Diệu Trang (Subhavyùha) of the Hưng Lâm Kingdom (possibly located in India). She renounced the luxurious life of the palace, overcame her father’s objections, and determinedly crossed the sea to the Hương Tích cave (modern-day Chùa Hương) to practice Buddhism and attain enlightenment. Legend has it that, after achieving Buddhahood, Princess Diệu Thiện transformed into the thousand-eyed, thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara to save her royal family and all sentient beings.

According to researcher Trần Lâm Biền, the statue of Avalokiteshvara of the Southern Sea appeared in Vietnam around the 16th century. “In a stele inscription from the Mạc dynasty in 1578, the famous scholar Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm mentions that the statue of Diệu Thiện was worshiped at Cao Dương Temple. The inscription also notes that Diệu Thiện is a very specific symbol of compassion in Buddhist teachings. The thousand-armed, thousand-eyed Avalokitesvara is closely associated with the practice of the Great Compassion Mantra, and over time, it became a significant symbol in Buddhist temples” (Thích Hạnh Tuấn, The Iconography of the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara).

Thus, the forms of Avalokiteshvara of the Southern Sea, Avalokiteshvara as a child, the sending-off of children by Avalokiteshvara, Diệu Thiện, and Thị Kính all stem from the compassion and saving manifestations of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in the Lotus Sutra. These legends and beliefs in Avalokiteshvara are widely prevalent in Asian countries such as China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. The statues of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara worshiped in Vietnam today are diverse, reflecting one of the 33 forms of manifestation of the Bodhisattva.

4. Lunar March:
– 20th: Memorial Ceremony for Patriarchs 

This ceremony is an essential observance for honoring and remembering one’s ancestors, a practice deeply embedded in Vietnamese culture. The ceremony is typically marked by offerings such as incense, fruits, food, and prayers. It is an occasion for descendants to express gratitude for the ancestors’ contributions, both in terms of material legacy and spiritual guidance. The rites performed during this memorial are intended to ensure that the spirits of ancestors are at peace and continue to watch over their descendants. Ancestor worship plays a vital role in maintaining strong family bonds, social harmony, and cultural continuity.

5. Lunar April:
– 1st: Commemoration of Prince Hoàng Nhân Dũng – Hồng Giao Temple Festival

This event pays homage to Đức Ông Hoàng Nhân Dũng, a figure of great reverence in the local spiritual and cultural traditions. The festival held at the Hồng Giao Temple includes various offerings and rituals, such as incense burning, chanting, and prayers, to honor his memory and acknowledge his influence in the community. The ceremony is a focal point for local worshippers to express gratitude for the guidance provided by Đức Ông Hoàng Nhân Dũng, emphasizing his wisdom and role in the cultural heritage.

– 8th to 15th: Buddha’s Birthday Week 

This week-long celebration is one of the most important events in the Buddhist calendar, honoring the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. During this period, various activities take place at temples and monasteries, such as processions, lighting incense, offering flowers, and chanting Buddhist sutras. Devotees reflect on the teachings of the Buddha and his journey toward enlightenment, striving to incorporate his lessons of compassion, kindness, and mindfulness into their daily lives. The week also includes public sermons, where Buddhist monks and nuns share insights on the significance of Buddha's teachings, helping to inspire both devout followers and newcomers to the faith.

– April 30th – May 1st (Gregorian calendar): Summer Retreat at Ứng Linh Pagoda – Thanh Bản

A spiritually enriching event, this summer retreat focuses on meditation, mindfulness, and learning. Held at Ứng Linh Pagoda, located in Thanh Bản, it serves as a space for Buddhist practitioners to deepen their understanding of Buddhist teachings and engage in various forms of spiritual practice, such as chanting, dharma talks, and group meditation. The retreat provides a peaceful environment conducive to reflection and personal growth, offering a chance for participants to disconnect from the hustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in the serenity of Buddhist practices. The aim is to cultivate inner peace and mindfulness, enhancing one’s spiritual life and connection to the Buddhist community.

– April 30th – May 1st (Gregorian calendar): Summer Retreat

This retreat is a continuation of the earlier spiritual retreat. It offers an immersive experience where participants engage in a range of Buddhist practices, including sitting meditation, walking meditation, and group discussions on Buddhist philosophy. These practices are designed to help participants deepen their understanding of Buddhist principles, such as impermanence, mindfulness, and compassion. The retreat aims to provide a nurturing environment for spiritual growth and renewal, allowing attendees to reconnect with their inner peace and cultivate a greater sense of spiritual clarity.

6. Lunar June:
– 3rd: Memorial Ceremony for the Holy Patriarch 

The commemoration of Đức Thánh Tổ is a significant event where devotees gather to honor this important figure. The ceremony is marked by offerings and rituals that acknowledge the figure’s role in the local or national spiritual context. Prayers are offered for guidance and blessings, and the celebration reinforces the connection between the spiritual past and the present. It is a time for community reflection on the virtues and wisdom of Đức Thánh Tổ and his impact on the community.

– July 26, 2018 (Gregorian calendar): Memorial Ceremony for Fallen Heroes

This solemn ceremony is dedicated to remembering and honoring the sacrifices made by fallen soldiers, heroes, and martyrs who fought for national independence or the well-being of the country. It is a poignant moment for the community to express deep gratitude and respect for the brave souls who gave their lives in defense of their country. The ceremony includes prayers for peace, rituals to honor the spirits of the fallen, and moments of silence to reflect on their sacrifices. This event is a powerful reminder of the values of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice.

7. Lunar July:
– September 1 (Gregorian calendar): Academic Support Gift Distribution

This charitable event focuses on the importance of education and aims to support students in their academic journeys. Educational gifts, such as books, scholarships, and other resources, are presented to deserving students, particularly those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. This event reflects the community’s commitment to fostering education and providing opportunities for young people to succeed. It underscores the belief that knowledge is a key to personal empowerment and societal progress.

- 9th to 15th: Vu Lan Filial Piety Festival and Memorial Ceremony

The Vu Lan Báo Hiếu ceremony is a deeply significant Buddhist observance dedicated to honoring parents and ancestors. It is a time to reflect on the importance of filial piety, a key value in Vietnamese culture and Buddhism. During this week, families participate in offerings, prayers, and rituals to express gratitude and seek blessings for their parents and ancestors. The ceremony also emphasizes the significance of family unity and the duty of children to care for their parents, both physically and spiritually. The event culminates in a grand display of devotion, symbolizing the unbreakable bonds between generations.

8. Lunar August:
– 12th: Mid-Autumn Festival 

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Vietnam. It marks the end of the harvest season and is traditionally a time for families to come together. The festival is celebrated with various activities, including the making and sharing of mooncakes, lantern processions, and cultural performances. Children are particularly celebrated during this holiday, as they receive gifts and participate in fun activities. The Mid-Autumn Festival also symbolizes unity, prosperity, and the gratitude for the bounties of the earth, with the full moon being a central symbol of completeness and family harmony.

9. Lunar September:
– 10th to 20th: Autumn Festival

The Autumn Festival is a time to celebrate the harvest and the changing seasons. It is a festival marked by feasts, cultural performances, and outdoor activities. Traditionally, the festival includes offerings to the earth and spirits, acknowledging the cycle of nature and expressing gratitude for the abundance of the harvest. It is an occasion to celebrate community and the changing of seasons, with various local customs and rituals performed to mark the seasonal transition.

10. Lunar October:
– 28th: Memorial Ceremony for Patriarchs 

The Ancestors’ Memorial ceremony is held to honor the spirits of one’s forebears. This event is an essential aspect of Vietnamese spiritual life, emphasizing respect for the past and the connection between generations. It is typically a time for families to come together and offer prayers, food, and incense to their ancestors. The ceremony is designed to ensure the well-being and peace of the ancestors' spirits and serves as a reaffirmation of the cultural and spiritual continuity across generations.

11. Lunar November:
– 17th: Amitabha Buddha’s Birthday 

This celebration marks the birth of Amitabha Buddha, a central figure in Pure Land Buddhism. The celebration includes prayers, offerings, and readings of Amitabha's vows, focusing on his promise to guide all beings to the Pure Land. Amitabha Buddha’s teachings emphasize compassion, and his practice is centered on reciting his name with sincere devotion in the hope of rebirth in his Pure Land. The event serves as a reminder of the hope, compassion, and spiritual refuge that Amitabha represents.

12. Lunar December:
– 14th: Year-End Ceremony 

The Year-End Ceremony is a reflective event that marks the conclusion of the year. It serves as an occasion to express gratitude for the past year’s blessings, successes, and lessons learned, while also preparing for the new year ahead. Offerings are made, prayers are recited, and rituals are performed to ensure the well-being of the community in the upcoming year. It is a time for families to gather, reflect on the year that has passed, and set intentions for the future. This event signifies renewal, peace, and the community's desire for prosperity in the coming year.