On April 5, about 1,000 people, tourists, and Buddhists gathered at Linh Ung Pagoda, Muong Lay town, Dien Bien province to attend the Super-praying Ceremony - Commemorating the deaths of compatriots who died in the flash flood in 1990, 1996 in Lai Chau town, Lai Chau province (old), now Muong Lay town.
According to the organizers, the historic flash flood in 1990 took the lives of 72 people and injured 251 people. In 1996, another flash flood also killed 2 people.
According to the reporter's records, a large number of people have flocked to Linh Ung Pagoda, many of whom are not afraid of the remote roads.
The great prayer ceremony was celebrated solemnly began with the ritual of Kieu Vong (inviting the spirits) in the Son La hydroelectric reservoir area, with a spiritual meaning that led the spiritual incense to rely on the door of Buddha.
After that, at Linh Ung Pagoda, rituals such as the spiritual offering ceremony (Buddha worship), offering incense to the three pillars and praying for the superborn were performed, creating a sacred space, warming with humanity.
Traveling more than 100km from Dien Bien Phu City to Muong Lay Town, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai - emotionally said: "I woke up at 4am to start, almost 7am to get there. I come here with respect, wishing to contribute a cup of incense to commemorate the deceased and pray for them to overcome".
Sharing the same feelings, Ms. Tran Thi Duong, a Buddhist from Hanoi, said: "Although not directly experiencing the pain of flash floods in the past. With the incense Suppresses lit up, I hope to warm up the land of Muong Lay, contributing to somewhat soothing the pain of the past and praying for peace".
Venerable Thich Nguyen Chinh - Deputy Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dien Bien province - said: "The super-praying ceremony is to commemorate and express deep gratitude to the dead people and officers and soldiers who sacrificed in the flash flood in Lai Chau town (old), now Muong Lay town.
This not only demonstrates the tradition of drinking water reminiscing about the good sources of the nation but also an opportunity to educate the younger generation about the great sacrifice and loss of compatriots and officers and soldiers in natural disasters.
The great grace also expressed through the ceremony to pray for peace in the country, favorable weather, peace in the country and people to live in peace and happiness.
Muong Lay town, Dien Bien province was the capital of the old Lai Chau province (now Dien Bien and Lai Chau). In 2004, after splitting the province, Muong Lay town became an administrative unit of Dien Bien province.
Muong Lay currently has 3 administrative units, including: Lay Nua commune, Na Lay ward and Song Da ward. This is the smallest town in the country. Muong Lay is also the meeting place of the three rivers Da, Nam Na and Nam Lay streams.
