Cultural Events Calendar
January
Tet Thuong Nguyen (Nguyen Tieu)
According to Buddhist sutras, the first and the fifteenth days (Tet Nguyen Tieu) of every lunar month are Buddha days, when acts of worship are performed in Buddhist shrines and before family altars. Joss-sticks are lit and trays of fruit and other offerings are laid out. Celebrations related to the lunar New Year are over, but the festive Tet atmosphere remains. The weather is mild despite an occasional drizzle, pagodas and temples are crowded with old people telling their tales, young people praying for happiness in love and luck in business, parents wishing for health and prosperity for their children. Fruit and delicacies offered to Buddha are taken home to be distributed to all members of the family as gifts from the deities. In traditional astrology the fate of each person is influenced by one particular star. On the 15th day, an act of worship is performed to the star before a three-level altar. On the top level, offerings of incense and food are made to heaven and Buddha; on the middle level they are made to the tutelary star; on the lowest level are various foods, including rice gruel, which are offered to the wandering souls.
According to Buddhist sutras, the first and the fifteenth days (Tet Nguyen Tieu) of every lunar month are Buddha days, when acts of worship are performed in Buddhist shrines and before family altars. Joss-sticks are lit and trays of fruit and other offerings are laid out. Celebrations related to the lunar New Year are over, but the festive Tet atmosphere remains. The weather is mild despite an occasional drizzle, pagodas and temples are crowded with old people telling their tales, young people praying for happiness in love and luck in business, parents wishing for health and prosperity for their children. Fruit and delicacies offered to Buddha are taken home to be distributed to all members of the family as gifts from the deities. In traditional astrology the fate of each person is influenced by one particular star. On the 15th day, an act of worship is performed to the star before a three-level altar. On the top level, offerings of incense and food are made to heaven and Buddha; on the middle level they are made to the tutelary star; on the lowest level are various foods, including rice gruel, which are offered to the wandering souls.
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