Vu Lan Day Hoi An Vietnam

The Vu an Day in Hoi An is the Vietnamese version of the Christian All Souls Day. The Vu Lan Day in Hoi An is and event associated with the annual wandering of the souls of ancestors that has its counterpart in almost all religions across the world. The Vu Lan Day in Hoi An is also popular by two other names. In English it is called th “Wandering Souls Day”; while the Vietnamese name for it is “Trung Nguyen”. Souls are said to wander about their mortal homes on this day. It is commemorated in all the pagodas and shrines in Hoi An. The event of the Vu Lan Day in Hoi An is wrapped in legend. According to this story, there was a young boy called Kien Muc Lien, who attained ‘enlightenment’ very early in life. When his mother died, she was compelled to pass through the 18 doors of hell as a punishment for her wickedness. As each consecutive door became tougher and more terrifying to get through, and as she grew to be plagued by overwhelming hunger, Kien Muc Lien was distressed and thought up of a way to smuggle food to her by magic. However, the tormentors of hell turned them all into fire as soon as she brought them to her mouth.
So Kien Muc Lien interceded to the Buddha to help him to provide his mother with food. The Buddha in answer to Kien’s prayers the Buddha commanded him to host the “Vu Lan” ceremony once a year to plead forgiveness for his mother’s sins. In obedience to the Buddha’s orders, Kien obtained his mother’s pardon. The Vu Lan Day in Hoi An is a contini=uation of this tradition of seeking forgiveness for the sins of deceased parents so that they may be spared the tortures of hell and may return home. The Vu Lan Day in Hoi An is also a mark of gratitude towards deceased parents. The Vu Lan Day in Hoi An is commemorated annually in the seventh month of the lunar calendar on the 15th day. On the occasion, lights are set float on the river to guide the wandering souls to nirvana. Also, on this night food is spread out on an altar within the house to appease their hunger; and false money is offered as a burnt offering to honor them.