Through this understanding, may we realize that the true source of lasting happiness is the meritorious actions of body, speech, and mind. Even more nobly, the offering of light causes awakening to arise within our hearts, dispelling ignorance and false views.

Excerpts on the merits of offering oil lamps (light) from the Legend of Bhikkhunī Pañcadīpikā (Apadāna, II. 196)
1. Being reborn in the heavenly realm of Tāvatiṃsa, in a palace 60 leagues (yojanas) tall and 30 leagues wide.
2. Being surrounded by countless lamps radiating brilliant light throughout the heavenly realm.
3. Having the ability to see everything clearly in all directions—above, below, forwards, and back.
4. Having clear sight to perceive without obstruction those destined for good or unfortunate rebirths.
5. Becoming the chief queen of 80 celestial kings and the chief queen of 100 Universal Monarchs (Cakkavattī kings).
6. Whether reborn as a celestial being or human, always being surrounded by a hundred thousand lamps.
7. When residing in places such as assembly halls, under trees, temples, stupas, caves, or secluded forests, there will always be brightly shining lamps.
8. Gaining supernatural powers of the divine eye, reaching the pinnacle of mastery in higher knowledge, fulfilling all duties, and being free from defilements.
9. After the offering of oil lamps, never falling into the suffering realms for a hundred thousand eons.
10. At the age of seven, all defilements are eradicated and one attains the state of Arahantship (a fully enlightened being).

Lotus Model from 24,000 Candles:
The lotus has a diameter of 45 meters, corresponding to the width of the Dhammacetiya Great Stupa, with the total adding to the sum of 9, which symbolizes the nine virtues of the Buddha. The twenty-four (24) lotus petals represent the 24 Causal Relations (Paṭṭhāna); the 3 layers (tiers) of lotus petals symbolize the Triple Gem and the Three Higher Trainings (Virtue, Concentration, Wisdom) that lead to liberation. The 8 petals in each layer represent the Noble Eightfold Path. The total of 24,000 candles signifies the 24,000 Fully Enlightened Buddhas (Sammāsambuddha). Each lit candle is an offering of light to honor each of these noble Enlightened Ones.

Each candle offering and each written prayer creates a proximate cause to dispel the darkness of ignorance, giving rise to wisdom, enabling the understanding of the reality of the Four Noble Truths, eradicating all defilements, and attaining the deathless state of nibbāna.

Based on this spirit, we respectfully invite all Venerable Monks, Nuns, and friends, both near and far, to joyfully join hands and contribute to offering “light” to the Triple Gem through this joint event. We may not have the ability to become a major donor, but we can become collective sponsors (co-donors) for the event by offering one or more candles. Each candle is equivalent to 10 US dollars (250,000 VND).

This collective offering of light will create an extremely solemn and sacred Dhamma assembly night; it will ignite faith, illuminate the Dhamma, and fuel the aspiration of Bhikkhu Paññākāra Tuệ Nhân: “Even if I have to sacrifice my very being, I vow to complete this project until my last breath,” marking the beginning of the construction of the Ancient Sacred Buddhist Scripture Stupas – Dhammacetiya.

May those who hear this aspiration be like the elderly woman, whose great wholesome mind was aroused upon seeing King Ajātasattu offer lights, as told in the following story:
In the time of the Buddha, King Ajātasattu once offered many barrels of oil to light lamps for the Buddha at the Jetavana Monastery. There was an elderly woman, very poor, who wholeheartedly wished to make an offering to the Buddha but had no money. Seeing the king performed such a meritorious deed, she was deeply moved. She begged for two coins, and went to a shop to buy oil. The oil vendor asked, “You are so poor, why don’t you buy food with those two coins, instead of buying oil?” The elderly woman replied, “I have heard that encountering the Buddha in this life is extremely rare; it happens only once in countless lifetimes—a chance that comes only once in countless lifetimes. Now, I am fortunate to be born in the time of the Buddha, but I have not yet had the opportunity to make an offering. Today, seeing the king performing a great meritorious deed, and although I am poor, I also want to offer a lamp as a foundation for future lives.” At that moment, the shopkeeper was moved by the elderly woman’s aspiration and added three more coins, making it a total of five coins worth of oil. She came before the Buddha, lit the lamp, and thought to herself that the oil might not last until midnight. She then made a vow, saying “I have nothing to offer the Buddha except this small lamp. But because of this offering, may I gain wisdom in future lives and help all beings find freedom from the darkness of ignorance. May I purify all their defilements and obstacles, and lead them to liberation.”
That night, all the lamps offered by the king either went out or burned dimly. But the lamp of the elderly woman shone brighter than all the others, lasting throughout the night without going out, and the oil did not diminish.
Over many lifetimes, the old woman upheld her vow and made heartfelt offerings to the Buddha with deep devotion. That vow has been fulfilled, and thus, the light of a future Buddha cannot be extinguished.

May the lights offered by all benefactors forever shine bright, illuminating and guiding the way from the shore of ignorance to the haven of enlightenment.
May the Buddha’s Teachings last long!

On behalf of Organizing Committee
Bhikkhu Ratanaguṇa Bửu Đức

Namo Buddhāya,
On behalf of the organizing committee,

Bhikkhu Ratanaguṇa Bửu Đức

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To make an offering of one or more candles, please contact:
Hương Đạo Buddhist Temple
The Ancient Sacred Buddhist Scripture Stupas Dhammacetiya
4717 E. Rosedale Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76105 – USA.
Tel: +1 (214) 404-6711 | +1 (469) 888-9009 | +1 (817) 262-9998
info@dhammacetiya.com
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Make check payable to: Dhammacetiya or The Ancient Sacred Buddhist Scripture Stupas.
Memo: Vesak 2025 Offerings of Light
Please send to address:
Huong Dao Temple
Attn: Dhammacetiya
4717 E. Rosedale Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76105 – USA.
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Zelle, Venmo, and Paypal: financial@dhammacetiya.com
Memo: Vesak 2025 Offerings of Light (include your name and phone number)
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To make a financial contribution in Việt Nam, please contact:
At HO CHI MINH City
Bửu Long Pagoda
TECHCOMBANK
– Account: 1271993999
– Account Owner: NGUYEN THI TO
– Contact: Nun Suddhamani +84-949-487-299
Memo: Vesak 2025 Offerings of Light (include your name and phone number)