Water procession ritual held in Hải Dương province

February 12, 2017 - 23:00

Hundreds of residents of the northern province of Hải Dương attended the lễ rước nước (water-procession ritual) in Côn Sơn Pagoda on February 12.

‘Sacred’ water brought to the pagoda and used for a statue bathing ceremony.
Viet Nam News

HẢI DƯƠNG Hundreds of residents of the northern province of Hải Dương attended the Lễ rước nước (water-procession ritual) in Côn Sơn Pagoda on Sunday.

A parade of monks and residents, dressed in ritual costumes, walked from the pagoda to nearby Côn Sơn lake carrying a big vase to take "sacred" water. Delegates and monks traveled to the centre of the lake, which is considered the best place for clear water, by dragon boat. They also offered incense, notified deities, released birds, and prayed for water.

Lễ mộc dục (Buddha statue bathing ceremony) was then performed in the pagoda.

The water procession ritual is among a series of events of Côn Sơn-Kiếp Bạc Festival, which has nearly 700-year history. VNS

Young men carrying ‘sacred’ water back to the pagoda.
Hoàng Thị Mai from Chí Linh District attends the ritual every year and is proud of her local traditional ritual.
The dragon boat stops to take provincial leaders and monks to the centre of the lake to collect ‘sacred’ water.
People dressed in ritual costume and carrying religious flags during the ritual.
Local residents reach Côn Sơn lake.
Monks walking from Côn Sơn Pagoda to Côn Sơn Lake to collect ‘sacred’ water.
Thousands take part in water-taking ritual. — VNS Photos Hồng Vân

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