DHARMA IN EVERYDAY LIFE

By Nhat Quan

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The Full Moon of the First Lunar Month is one of the most important days according to the Asian lunar calendar. This is also the first spring festival after the Lunar New Year, so it is also called the Upper Lunar New Year, because according to the old calendar, a year is divided into three periods:

- The Full Moon of the First Lunar Month is the upper lunar time

- The Full Moon of the Seventh Lunar Month is the middle lunar time

- The Full Moon of the Tenth Lunar Month is the lower lunar time

In folklore, with the majority of people following the custom of worshiping their ancestors, the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month is commonly referred to as the big full moon day. On this day, depending on their beliefs and professions, some families worship the Buddha, some worship the local god, the God of Wealth, or venerate the spirits. Every Full Moon of the First Lunar Month must have a ceremony to worship their ancestors, to express filial piety to grandparents and parents, and to thank the gods for blessing their children and grandchildren with peace and prosperity. According to numerologists, the full moon day of the first lunar month is also the day of the Celestial Official. At temples and pagodas, there is a ceremony to offer stars, worshiping the stars to dispel disasters all year round.

In the past, the full moon day of the first lunar month was often called the late New Year because well-off families continued to celebrate the New Year and enjoy the late-blooming apricot and peach blossoms. As for those who work far away, they stay at home to warm up their family ties after days of wandering far away family, until after the full moon day of the first lunar month, to go far away to work. For those who are unlucky enough to be sick on the occasion of the New Year, after the New Year, they are healthy again, or many families who have a funeral with a death on the occasion of the New Year, they can celebrate the New Year to compensate... Therefore, for a long time in the minds of Vietnamese people, the full moon day of the first lunar month has had a meaning no different from the New Year's Day.

The night of the full moon day of the first lunar month is also a traditional holiday of the Chinese people, also called the Lantern Festival. Therefore, in places where Chinese people live, they often hang lanterns and flowers to celebrate the full moon of the first lunar month. People go to see the flower lanterns, guess parallel sentences...

Today, along with the development of the socio-economy, the way people celebrate the full moon day has changed somewhat. Because life has a lot of competition, making people face more and more risks, so on the full moon of the first lunar month, most people often go to the temple and pray for blessings for a peaceful year and a prosperous business.

This is the way of thinking of Vietnamese people, but according to Chinese culture, the full moon of the first lunar month is a Taoist custom of Taoism; they believe that the full moon of the first lunar month is a ceremony.

- The mandarin of Heaven bestows blessings on the people.

That is why in Chinese areas in Vietnam, in the hallway in front of the house, there is always a small altar mounted on the wall. On the altar, there is a tablet with a red background, with the words written in gold paint:

- The mandarin of Heaven bestows blessings.

That long-standing custom has greatly influenced Vietnamese culture, especially in the countryside of the six provinces of the South, where every house has an altar for the God of Heaven in the yard. This altar is placed on a pillar at chest level, on top of the pillar is only a square piece of wood and an incense bowl, without a picture, statue, or spirit tablet. Later, people built bricks. People living on the river set up an altar for the God of Heaven at the bow of the boat. That is also a symbol of the altar for the God of Heaven to bless.

The God of Heaven consists of three positions:

- God of Heaven

- Earth Officer

- Water Officer

Heavenly Officer is in charge of the reproduction of all things, so the God of Heaven is in charge of the blessing

- Earth Officer

Earthly Qi is in charge of achievements, so the Earth Officer is in charge of the forgiveness of sins

- Water Officer

Water Qi is in charge of transformation, so the Water Officer is in charge of eliminating disasters and calamities.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Taoists combined the Three Offices with the Three Yuans, so the Three Officers were also called Three Yuans. Three Yuan here means three big full moon days in a year. The Shangyuan, Quan of Heaven, is the full moon day of the first lunar month.

The Mid-Month Earth Official is the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. In some places, Buddhists celebrate the full moon as the festival of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

The Lower-Month Water Official is on the 15th day of the tenth lunar month. The Water Official is related to averting calamities.

Due to the influence of the three religions: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, Vietnamese people also have festivals: Upper-Month, Middle-Month, and Lower-Month. Therefore, there is a folk saying:

- On the full moon of the first lunar month, those who are diligent offer sacrifices.

- On the full moon of the seventh lunar month, some offer sacrifices, some don't.

- On the full moon of the tenth lunar month, everyone offers sacrifices.

Vietnamese people do not want to be dependent on foreign cultures, but want to have their own cultural identity. The above saying demonstrates this independence; it is not encouraged, but those who are diligent and have the economic means do so; otherwise, they don't, and it is not forced. The same applies to the full moon of the seventh lunar month. As for the Lower-Month festival, the full moon of the tenth lunar month is celebrated because it is the beginning of the harvest season. Vietnamese people harvest their rice crop in October, usually finishing by the 10th or 23rd, according to the usual weather patterns. Around this time, the North and Central regions of Vietnam often experience storms and floods, hence the saying:

- The husband forgives, but the wife does not,

A battle on the 23rd of October.

On the full moon of the first lunar month, Chinese farmers often erect a tall pole in front of their house, hanging a very large red lantern. This symbolizes:

- A benevolent star shining from above.

If three lanterns are hung, it means:

- Three benevolent stars are entering the house.

Accordingly, in public places, if countless lanterns are hung, it is called a star festival, also known as:

- Gold and jewels fill the house.

This phrase implies wealth, prosperity, and abundant fortune. Therefore, people often wish each other:

- Gold and jewels fill the house and bring boundless good fortune.

Lanterns can be divided into four types:

- Sitting lanterns.

- Hanging type

- Water lantern

- Handheld lantern

Sitting lanterns are placed underwater or on a stand; these are large lanterns. Hanging lanterns are hung along corridors, in front of houses, or under or between tree branches; these are very elaborate lanterns, some made of silk or crystal with painted circles on the surface made of silk and crystal.

When lit, the lanterns emit refracted light, creating a long chain of light from the lantern cluster, giving the viewer a feeling of splendor, nobility, and mystery. Some lanterns are made with small holes, creating patterns with large needles. When lit, the light passing through these small holes looks shimmering. Water lanterns are made of waterproof materials, highlighting the brightness and aesthetic appearance of the lantern when placed underwater. Handheld lanterns are usually lanterns for children to carry in their hands, like tiny stars in the sky.

The Lantern Festival also includes the custom of eating glutinous rice balls, which the Chinese call "tangyuan," meaning round balls in water, stemming from the meaning of reunion and auspicious prosperity. Many Chinese families still cherish childhood memories of this tradition:

- After the adults finish preparing the filling and making the rice balls, the children play with the remaining dough, smearing it on each other's faces.

And after eating the rice balls, they are allowed to carry their lanterns and stroll through the streets.

Today, the first full moon of the lunar calendar is a significant day. For Vietnamese people who follow Buddhism or worship their ancestors, going to the temple on the full moon of the first lunar month has become a long-standing custom and tradition for many. According to Buddhist scriptures, the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month are considered days dedicated to the Buddha. The full moon of the first lunar month is considered an auspicious day for universal salvation, a day when the Buddha is believed to descend to temples to witness the devotion of his followers. Therefore, on the full moon of the first lunar month, temples are decorated lavishly with lanterns, flowers, flags, and banners. Many people go to the temple to pray for the Buddha's blessings for good fortune and peace. This is why there is a folk saying:

- Praying to the Buddha all year round is not as good as the full moon of the first lunar month.

Or:

- Eating vegetarian all year round is not as good as the full moon of the first lunar month.

The first full moon of the lunar month, while not as important a Buddhist festival as the fourth full moon (Buddha's birthday) or the seventh full moon (Ullambana festival), is still a noteworthy occasion during the Lunar New Year. This is because it is not only the first full moon of the new year, the most opportune time to pray for peace and well-being throughout the year, thus attracting a large number of Buddhists and the general Vietnamese population who often visit temples to offer prayers for peace and good fortune, but it also holds three significant meanings in Buddhist tradition:

1- Firstly, it commemorates the day the Buddha preached the Sutra of Liberation at the Sangha Assembly.

The Sutra of Liberation is a concise text on the teachings of the Buddha, the foundation of spiritual practice, and the principles of Dharma propagation. The Buddha begins by teaching that the noblest way to offer the Buddha is through the practice of the Dharma:

- Whoever practices the Dharma

Is offering the Buddha

In the noblest way

Among all offerings

The Dharma that He taught can be summarized in three things:

- Not committing evil deeds,

- Cultivating good deeds, and

- Purifying the mind.

These verses have become a familiar summary of Buddhist teachings for all Buddhists. Next, the Buddha emphasizes the ability to endure in the practice of life. A monk on the path to enlightenment must learn the virtue of patience and forbearance. First and foremost, this applies to oneself. The Buddha reminds you that the path to liberation taught by the Buddhas all requires perseverance. Self-restraint, not harboring resentment, strictly observing the precepts, guarding the senses, moderation in eating and drinking, living a pure and solitary life, and living with an upward-looking mind are the fundamental practices for those seeking liberation. More profoundly, the Buddha taught what beauty, merit, and excellence a person on the path to enlightenment should aspire to.

Patience is the most beautiful adornment; it is an essential condition for the development of virtuous deeds; it is the adornment of the wise; it is the beauty of the virtuous; it is the condition leading to achievements in life. Patience is a miraculous way to resolve all conflicts. The Buddha also clearly stated the principle of propagating the Dharma when he taught the Sangha:

- The life of a monk is lived for the benefit of all beings. One should not entice, threaten, or use slander or sabotage against others. The path to liberation and enlightenment is the path of those who are self-aware.

2- Secondly, commemorating the Great Assembly of the Sangha.

The Great Assembly of the Sangha was a rare event that occurred only once during the time of Shakyamuni Buddha. At that time, the Buddha was residing at the Bamboo Grove Monastery in Rajagaha. It was the full moon day of the month of Magha, which is the full moon day of the first lunar month. Despite no invitation, 1250 holy monks spontaneously gathered. All were enlightened beings, having attained the fourth stage of liberation, and had renounced the world at the Buddha's call:

- Come, monks.

These virtuous and wise individuals sat in absolute silence around the feet of the Great Awakened One. The Buddha's simple yet profound teachings were received by these pure souls. Under the bright moonlight in the bamboo grove, the voice of enlightenment was spoken by an enlightened individual to an assembly of enlightened beings. It was truly an unprecedented gathering.

3. The Day of the Buddha's Announcement of Entering Nirvana.

The full moon day of the first lunar month also commemorates the day the Buddha announced the completion of his teachings and that he would enter Nirvana in three months. After 49 years of spreading the Dharma, the Buddha concluded his final year with a long journey at the age of 80. Many significant events marked the journey from Rajagaha to Kusinara. In Vesali, the Buddha, with the gaze of a majestic elephant, looked around the beautiful mountains and hills of the Vajji region for the last time.

That afternoon, Venerable Ananda, the Buddha's attendant, felt a strong earthquake while meditating. So Venerable Ananda went to see the Buddha, and from the Buddha's sacred lips, he learned that the Buddha had decided to enter Nirvana in three months. Unable to hold back his tears, this loyal disciple begged the Buddha to remain in the world longer. But the Buddha gently said:

- O Ananda, what more do you expect from the Tathagata? The Dharma has been fully taught; nothing has been kept secret. The seven groups of disciples have been fully guided in their practice. The Dharma and the Vinaya have been explained thoroughly. You should practice accordingly.

Based on the Liberation Sutra, you can see that:

- The full moon of the first lunar month is also called the Day of the Dharma Jewel. Because the content of the Liberation Sutra is considered the guiding principle of the Dharma, this great festival is called the Day of the Dharma Jewel. along with:

- The Buddha Jewel Day, which is the great festival of the full moon of the fourth lunar month.

- The Sangha Jewel Day, which is the full moon of the seventh lunar month.

Receiving and practicing the Dharma is the most practical way to offer to the Dharma Jewel. The Buddha taught that whoever practices the righteous Dharma is the noblest way to offer to the Tathagata. Therefore, according to the Theravada tradition, every year on the full moon of the first lunar month, there is a tradition of offering to the Buddha with a night of continuous practice without sleep. This is a practice of controlling sleepiness by only walking, standing, and sitting, but not lying down. In other words, it's a night of sleepless meditation and offering to the Buddha. Zen Master Buddhadāsa recorded his personal experiences of staying awake all night meditating in the forest:

- The world at night truly has many wonders. It seems that in the stillness of the night, there is so much hidden vitality. Those who pursue a spiritual life should not miss this precious experience.

Depending on each temple, the sleepless night may include many spiritual activities. These usually include Dharma talks, discussions, chanting, meditation, walking meditation, etc. In general, these are spiritual activities that are difficult to find at other major festivals.

Thus, the full moon of the first lunar month, also known as the Lantern Festival, is a day of great significance, but whatever the meaning, it all points towards perfection, through the act of respectfully offering gifts to Heaven, Buddha, and Saints. From this, in Buddhist scriptures, the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month are considered days of the Buddha. The full moon of the first lunar month is a day of auspicious blessings, a day when the Buddha descends to the temples to witness the sincere devotion of the faithful. Therefore, on the full moon of the first lunar month, temples are beautifully decorated with lanterns, flowers, and banners, and many people go to worship the Buddha, praying for blessings and peace. That's why there's a folk saying:

- Worshipping the Buddha all year round is not as good as worshipping on the full moon of the first lunar month.

Or:

- Eating vegetarian food all year round is not as good as eating vegetarian food on the full moon of the first lunar month.

Amidst the beauty of spring, the time of harmony, and changing fortunes, throughout many dynasties, kings of the past often chose the Lantern Festival as an occasion to summon the top scholars and those who had achieved high academic honors in the country to the capital for a banquet in the Imperial Garden. Here, the top scholars would gather to admire the flowers and the moon, compose and recite poetry, exchange witty couplets, play flutes and other musical instruments, and praise nature and the dynasty.  Therefore, this occasion later became known as the Scholar's Festival, a festival specifically dedicated to honoring learning.

In Vietnam, during the Ly and Tran dynasties, the court organized the Scholar's Festival. Especially during the reign of Emperor Le Thanh Tong, the Scholar's Festival was celebrated grandly in the capital city of Thang Long, with singing, dancing, and music throughout the palace and the streets, and vibrant decorations of flags and flowers.

The Lantern Festival, the first bright moonlit night of a new spring cycle, sees the moonlight illuminating the entire world after a long, dark, and cold winter. According to feng shui experts, this night is a time of perfect harmony between yin and yang, with the universe at its most vibrant and prosperous, and plants and fruits flourishing and budding, giving rise to new life. The Lantern Festival moon is peaceful, a gentle breeze blows, and the tranquil atmosphere inspires poets with the changing scenery of the clouds and sky, and the fragrance of plants and flowers spreading throughout the human world. The Lantern Festival is a source of inspiration, a moment that sparks endless poetic creativity. On this occasion, those with poetic souls or scholars often gather in gardens or climb mountains to admire the moon and compose poems, praising the beauty of their homeland. For ordinary people, many places hold village festivals during the Lantern Festival, with various folk activities, including lantern lighting ceremonies, boat races, martial arts competitions, dancing, singing, and releasing floating lanterns.

Offering lanterns is also a special ritual of this grand festival. The Jataka Tales tell us that the practice of offering lanterns did not begin only during the time of the Buddha. Such offerings existed from ancient times. In ancient times, lanterns were a necessity for evening religious ceremonies. Therefore, offering lanterns is also an offering to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha). Whether for illumination or beauty, according to the law of cause and effect, those who offer lanterns will be blessed with a radiant face, and if they have the will, it will also lead to wisdom. Vietnamese Buddhists consider incense, lanterns, flowers, and fruits as the four main offerings for the altar. In some ceremonies, temples offer 28 lanterns, lit to honor the 28 Buddhas as recorded in the Buddhavamsa. 108 lamps are lit to eliminate misfortunes and karmic obstacles arising from the six senses, six objects of perception, and six consciousnesses of the inner and outer realms in the three times: past, present, and future [(6 + 6 + 6) x 2 x 3]. The custom of offering prayers and warding off misfortune during the Lantern Festival also uses the lighting of lamps as the main ritual. Generally, whether according to tradition or folk customs, the Lantern Festival still has two prominent features: offering prayers on the day of the Dharma Treasure and praying for peace and well-being for oneself and one's family.

As mentioned before, the Lantern Festival night means the night of the full moon of the first month of the year, which is the 15th day of the first lunar month. The bright moonlit night marks the beginning of a new year with the pure essence of warm weather, full of the vitality of spring... In folk customs, the lamps of the Lantern Festival also symbolize illumination; lighting a lamp means illuminating the future. Human life is like a ray of light! The main value of life is understanding how to love others without harming them, making friendship, family love, and romantic love perfect and complete.

In the new year, the Lantern Festival lamps, through their symbolic meaning, hope that you can understand yourself as a lamp illuminating the direction of your own life, and at the same time, compare your life to a lamp that radiates warm and bright light to others.

On the first day of the new year, the Lantern Festival reminds you that if you have a full understanding of yourself, all your efforts and abilities can only be aligned with expectations and ideals if you affirm yourself and mature to understand what you are seeking, understanding that dedication and service can make your life shine and reveal its value.

In short, the Lantern Festival is the second most important festival after the Lunar New Year. This day is usually the first bright moonlit night of a new spring cycle, with moonlight shining brightly across the land after a long, dark, and cold winter. According to feng shui experts, this night is a time of harmonious balance between yin and yang, full of auspicious energy, when trees sprout, and everything comes back to life. The peaceful full moon of the Lantern Festival, with its gentle breezes, uplifts the human spirit in the face of the changes of heaven and earth, and the fragrance of plants and flowers permeates the world. The Lantern Festival is a vital force, a moment that creates life after the gloomy days of winter. On this occasion, scholars and poets often gather in gardens or go to the mountains to admire the moon and compose poetry, praising the beauty of their homeland. For ordinary people, many places hold village festivals during the Lantern Festival, with various folk activities, including lantern lighting ceremonies, boat races, martial arts competitions, dancing, and singing. But for Buddhists, the Lantern Festival in the first lunar month has an even more significant meaning: it is a time to remember:

- The precious teachings of the Buddha through the Tripitaka scriptures in general, and the Sutra of Liberation in particular.

- To reflect on how the Buddha dedicated his entire life to sentient beings.

- It is an opportunity for us to contemplate the image of the monks visiting their revered Master for the last time.

The precious words and vows of the Buddha, along with the respectful attitude of the Venerable Monks at that time, will be the motivation to help us progress on the path of enlightenment.

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