The Ullambana Festival, also known as Vu Lan, is one of Buddhism’s most sacred occasions. It is a time to honor our parents, ancestors, and teachers, and to cultivate compassion for all beings. Rooted in the story of the Venerable Maudgalyayana’s devotion to his mother, Vu Lan serves as a reminder of the power of gratitude and selfless love.

📍Location: Lien Tam Monastery – Moisiontie 225, 20400 Turku

📆 Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025

📆 Time: 9:00 – 16:00

🎟️ Entrance: Free

🚌 Free Bus Service: Complimentary transportation to and from the monastery (check out Bus Service Registration).

Ullambana Ceremony Highlights

This year’s ceremony will be conducted with the participation of the resident monastic community and honored guest monks from France and Thailand, enriching the spiritual atmosphere with international traditions.

Chanting of Sutras – A solemn recitation dedicated to parents, ancestors, and all sentient beings, generating blessings and merit.
Dharma Talk – Teachings from senior monastics on cultivating filial piety, gratitude, and compassion in daily life.
Rose Pinning Ceremony – Wearing a red rose to honor living parents or a white rose in remembrance, symbolizing enduring love and respect.
Hungry Ghost Offering (Cúng Thí Thực) – A compassionate ritual dedicated to beings in suffering, transferring merit, and offering spiritual nourishment.

The festival opened early with morning chanting and meditation led by the monastery’s resident monastics, setting a solemn and contemplative tone for the day.

In the solemn atmosphere of the main ceremony, the venerable monks, nuns, and lay practitioners chanted the Ullambana Sutra together, sincerely praying for blessings upon their parents, both living and departed. During the Rose Pinning Ceremony, the hall grew still and contemplative as red and white roses—symbols of boundless love and parental devotion—were gently placed on each participant’s chest, reminding all of the immeasurable gratitude owed to one’s parents.

Though light drizzles fell, the “Offering to Hungry Spirits” ritual unfolded in reverence and harmony. The festival concluded joyfully, with guests—especially the children—carrying home sweet treats and lucky coins, tokens of faith that misfortune will fade away and peace and happiness will endure.

Ullambana Marketplace & Lunch

Alongside the solemn ceremonies, the festival offered a warm and lively atmosphere with diverse stalls and a free vegetarian lunch lovingly prepared by devoted Buddhists and volunteers.

Guests enjoyed everything from meaningful Buddhist-themed souvenirs to the familiar flavors of Vietnamese vegetarian dishes rarely found in Finland. Many were delighted to taste specialties such as vegetarian Hue noodles, steamed buns, pandan layer cake, and Vietnamese sesame ball, etc. along with a wholesome lunch of stir-fried noodles, vegetables, tofu, roasted peanuts, and more.

Full Event Schedule

04:45 – Meditation & Morning Chanting

09:00 – Greeting Visitors

10:00 – Festival Opening Ceremony

11:45 – Traditional Alms Offering to Monks

12:00 – Free Vegetarian Buffet Lunch

12:45 – Ullambana Dharma Talk

14:45 – Food Offering for Hungry Ghosts Ceremony

16:00 – Closing Ceremony

Thank you

Lien Tam Monastery warmly thanks all who joined us for the Ullambana Festival 2025. Your presence and heartfelt prayers made the day truly meaningful. We are especially grateful to the venerable guest monks for their guidance, and to our dedicated volunteers whose compassion and hard work made everything possible. May the merits of this gathering bring peace, joy, and blessings to you and your families.