The Vietnamese Thien Tam Buddhist Temple in Peoria has been preparing for over a month for Tết, which also celebrates the start of spring.
The temple commenced festivities this past Sunday, with the Year End & Ancestor Memorial ceremony. All were welcome to come and pray for the peaceful reincarnation of souls who have passed on–according to Buddhist faith–and, to spread peace and joy among the living.
The temple, which is located in the historic Washington School building on Moss Avenue, was brightly decorated with flowers and streamers, pendants and cherry blossoms, in primarily red, “for good luck”, and yellow, “to bring the fortune in”, explained community member Thien Quang.
The atmosphere was calm and joyful as more people arrived, removed their shoes, and dropped off food for the ancestors.
“We humbly offer flowers, food, cakes, tea, and also our love and our respect to our ancestors,” said Buddhist nun Thich Tinh Nghia.
Another nun, Nguyên Trieu, explained that the prayers for the ancestors are not limited to biological relatives, or even people one used to know–rather, they include anyone and everyone who has passed on.
“People who died during war, due to disease, catastrophes- anything. So many people die, and then you don’t know where their bodies are or how they’re buried. They don’t know where to go, according to Buddhism,” said Nguyên. “And some people, when they pass suddenly, they don’t know that they are dying. They’re just there. So that’s why we pray for them, they listen to us, and then they go to the next life–to somewhere else.”
Nguyên explained how the ceremony is connected to the Buddhist concept of attachment: “We all have attachment. And if [the dead] did not resolve their attachments [before death], they will hang on to that attachment. They will be here. They don’t know where to go. So we guide them.”
Community members gathered in the prayer hall as Thich Tinh Nghia led prayers and chants in Vietnamese, pausing occasionally to add an English translation for visitors.
Following the prayer, people gathered to share food, offer well wishes to one another, and see friends again. Some, like Thien Quang, travelled from out of state to reunite with old friends and family.
Thich Tinh Nghia says that the day of Têt sets the tone for the new year. Thus, it is important to be especially mindful of one’s thoughts, words and actions.
“No yelling, no crying on this day” she said, grinning. “Today, we smile on the first day of the year. Be nice to everyone- everything is anew for the New Year.”
The Thiem Tam Buddhist Temple will host their Têt New Year’s festival from 10:30am to 3pm on Sunday, February 11th, free to the public, and all vegetarian. On Friday, February 9th, the temple invites the community for a New Year’s Eve Year End Sitting Together ceremony beginning at 9:30pm.
