In Vietnam, there is also a special day for mothers. That day is called Vu Lan and it falls on the 15th of the 7th month in the lunar calendar. How Vu Lan was established comes from an old legend: Once upon a time, there lived a wicked woman named Thanh De. She was a miser who never gave anything to anyone, even to those in dire need. Distressed people were driven away from her house without mercy. She used to trample on the peasant’s rice, the hard-earned fruit of their year-round labor. She made fun of monks and nuns: found way to lease them and interrupt their religious activities. She secretly put meat, forbidden in monks’ diet, into the rice and offered it to Buddha. She spoke ill of God and treated all saints and sages with contempt.
Thanh De’s son, name Mu.c Kie^`n Lie^n, was a devoted Buddhist monk. He tried to persuade his mother to mend her evil ways, but his efforts were unsuccessful. When Thanh De died, she was confined to Hell. As punishment for the evil deeds of her previous life, she was forced to sit on spikes and thorns while bearing a basin of blood. All the time, she suffered hungry and thirst, for every bit of food touching her lips turned to fire or melted into blood. Using his supernatural powers, Muc Kien Lien transported himself to Hell to find his mother. There, he was stricken with sorrow as he watched her suffer. He wanted to share his mother's agony, but he could not. In the face of Providence, Muc Kien Lien was powerless. Muc Kien Lien then implored Buddha for clemency toward his mother. Buddha instructed Lien to organize a ceremony called Vu Lan on the 15th day of the 7th month of the lunar year. On this day, Lien was to pay and give charity to the poor to deliver his mother from retribution.
Having returned to earth, Muc Kien Lien erected a shrine in honour of Buddha, then proceeded with Buddha's instructions. In solemnity and with sincerity of spirit, he prayed and gave alms to the poor.
Meanwhile, as Thanh De suffered in Hell, she came to understand what it means to be hungry and in pain. Remorse over past overcame her, and her evil nature gradually turned to good. Touched by Muc Kien Lien's piety and his mother's regret, Buddha released Thanh De from Hell. She was permitted to return to earth with her son.
From then on, Thanh De lived as a pious and charitable woman. She was devoted to Buddha, and to helping those in need. The story of her ordered spread throughout the land, and people who knew of it followed in her footstep in doing good and avoiding evil. As Vu Lan became widely known, a tradition established itself. On the 15th day of the 7th month of every year, sons and daughters give alms to the poor and erect altars where they pray for all the dead and wandering souls.
Many philosophers have suggested that Vu Lan be Mother's Day in Vietnam. Personally, I believe every day of the year should be Mother's Day, for we as children should always obey and love our mothers, shouldn't we?
