CELEBRATING THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL - MAY BLESSINGS BE FULL AND COMPLETE
The Mid-Autumn Festival is the time when the moon is fullest, largest, and brightest. The moon's compassionate radiance shines upon the whole world, and all beings benefit from its light. Gazing upon the moon, we come to grasp self-awareness and the sense of perfect fulfillment found in the essence of the Buddha's teachings.
According to Vietnamese tradition, the Mid-Autumn Festival is held in the middle of autumn, on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. For thousands of years, people have believed there is a bond between human life and the moon. So it is with the Dharma as well — the Dharma is like the radiant autumn full moon, gently shining everywhere, illuminating every heart without discrimination. It is a love beyond price, helping people reflect on how to live nobly with one another amid the impermanence of life. The moon waxes and wanes, just as joy and sorrow accompany reunion and parting... From this, the full moon has come to symbolize togetherness, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Festival of Reunion.
On this joyful occasion, as night falls and the earth is bathed in golden moonlight, villagers gather together to drink green tea, share mooncakes, admire the moon, and lay out fruits and sweets for the children to enjoy while carrying lanterns, watching lion dances, gazing at the moon, and breaking open festive treats... All family members come together to prepare offerings in honor of their ancestors...
In addition, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also an occasion for elders to gather and observe the moon to foretell the harvest and the fortunes of the nation. If the autumn moon appears golden, it is said the silkworm harvest will be bountiful that year; if it appears blue or green, natural disasters may occur; and if it glows a clear orange, the nation will enjoy peace and prosperity...
At the same time, the Mid-Autumn Festival is the moment when the moon is fullest, largest, and brightest. The moon's compassionate radiance shines upon the whole world, and all beings benefit from its light. Gazing upon the moon, we come to grasp self-awareness and the sense of perfect fulfillment found in the essence of the Buddha's teachings.
On this autumn night, reflecting our image in the moon and our hearts between heaven and earth, we turn with reverence toward the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, recite the sutras, and follow the Buddha's teachings — surely this will be witnessed with blessings, and merit beyond measure.
Celebrating Mid-Autumn 2022, Diệu Tướng Am wishes all fellow Buddhists:
/May this Mid-Autumn be full and complete
May your family know happiness and reunion
May weariness and worry be left behind
Together, may you savor the light of the full autumn moon/
