Monday, 05/10/2026

Monday, 03:52, 27/07/2026

Pagodas nationwide ring bells, hold memorial prayers for fallen soldiers

VOV.VN - More than 18,000 pagodas across Vietnam rang Bat Nha bells and drums before holding memorial prayer ceremonies on July 27 to honour the nation's fallen soldiers marking the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 1947 – 2026).

At 4:30 a.m. Buddhist monks and followers gather at Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi to ring three sets of bells, and beat Bat Nha drums, a sacred Buddhist ritual symbolising “prajna” or transcendent wisdom, in order to honour heroic martyrs.

Buddhist monks perform the Bat Nha bell and drum ritual at Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi at dawn, marking the start of a nationwide memorial observance for fallen soldiers.

Alongside nationwide requiem ceremonies, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has urged monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers to support the national 500-day campaign to accelerate the search for and identification of fallen soldiers' remains, while joining local authorities in memorial services honouring those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

Monks and Buddhists at Quan Su Pagoda perform sutra chanting and spiritual rituals to express their reverence and gratitude to fallen soldiers. In Buddhism, pagodas only ring the bells, and beat Bat Nha drums during major national events.

Buddhists come together to chant sutras and offer prayers.

Following the bell and drum beats, the peace-praying ceremony takes place.

Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, vice president of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Executive Council, says that every July, the entire nation turns its thoughts toward the heroic martyrs, upholding the national traditions of "When drinking water, remember its source" and "Repaying gratitude."

Local residents, Buddhist followers, and visitors gather at pagodas and monasteries across the country to offer prayers. Following the ceremonial ringing of the bells, pagodas nationwide simultaneously chant Buddhist sutras and hold requiem services in memory of the heroic martyrs, praying for peace and blessings for the nation and future generations.

Meanwhile, Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ninh Binh province tolls its Great Bell nine times in remembrance of the heroic martyrs who laid down their lives for national independence and freedom.

Each toll of the bell is both a prayer and a tribute to those who gave their lives for the nation. It also embodies the Vietnamese tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source", a timeless reminder to honour their legacy by cherishing gratitude, compassion, and a shared responsibility to safeguard and build the country.

The ritual of ringing three sets of bells and beating the Bat Nha drums is one of the most solemn ceremonies in Vietnamese Buddhism. It is traditionally performed during major Buddhist festivals and significant commemorative events to create a sacred atmosphere of mindfulness and reverence. Beyond its religious significance, the ritual symbolises a spiritual connection between the past and the present, honouring those who came before while inspiring compassion, peace, and hope for future generations.

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