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Master Pagoda Festival
The Master Pagoda Festival is one of the major festivals in Vietnam that gives the tourist a chance to get acquainted with the mythologies of this ancient land. The Master Pagoda Festival takes place on the 2nd to 4th of April (according to the Gregorian Calendar), which translates to March 5-7 in the lunar calendar. This particular festival is popular in Sai Son Commune, Quoc Oai district of the Ha Tay province.
There’s an interesting story behind the Master Pagoda Festival. Legend has that Monk Tu Dao Hanh attained nirvana (which means freedom from the earthly cycles of birth, death and rebirth) and the Master Pagoda Festival is a homage to his greatness. The festival is also an acknowledgement of the profound philosophy behind the concepts of nirvana and reincarnation.
The Master Pagoda Festival incorporates a lot of rituals, the primary one amongst them is the worship of Monk Tu Dao Hanh. The ceremonies include dances and rhythmic circular movements by monks at the Thay pagoda that symbolize the worldly cycles of birth, death and reincarnation. The dances are accompanied by music and the ringing of wooden bells that lend a somber atmosphere to the whole setting. Puppet shows are also a pivotal part of the festivities associated with the Master Pagoda Festival.
The Master Pagoda Festival is a means for the Vietnamese people to relate to their past.
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