The Origin and Meaning of the Formal Meal Offering Ritual

The title Bhagavā - “The Blessed One” - is not a form of flattery, but an objective recognition: a reverence accorded to one who has truly lived rightly.

Anuttaro and Purisa-damma-sārathi placed side by side form a splendid pair: the summit of wisdom – the strength of compassion.

Sugata and Lokavidū together form a beautiful picture: skillfully overcoming oneself, and profoundly understanding others.

Ứng Cúng - Chánh Biến Tri - Minh Hạnh Túc, ba danh hiệu này như ba bước đi của một đời đáng kính: sống xứng đáng, thấy cho đúng, và làm cho trọn.

Tathāgata means one who no longer needs a mask, no longer needs to disguise himself in order to be accepted — one who comes to the world in truth, and departs from the world in truth.

Hopefully, through these ten installments, each article will be like wiping away a bit of dust, allowing the mirror of our own life to shine a little brighter.

Introducing a simple home-offering ritual, carried out in a spirit of purity—easy to practice, neither elaborate nor formalistic—where the most important elements are sincerity of heart and the mindful cultivation of filial piety and compassion.

On every lunar month’s first day, many Vietnamese families prepare an offering tray to begin the new month in peace.

If the first day of other months is a time to sow wholesome seeds for a new beginning, then the first day of the seventh lunar month is a gentle reminder for each of us to live fully in filial piety during the season of Vu Lan.