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The beginning of the year is the time when people often go on spring outings and pilgrimages to festivals at temples and pagodas. However, some pregnant women are still wondering whether they should go to pagodas at the beginning of the year? What should be avoided? Therefore, we will write the following article to answer these concerns for pregnant women.
Should pregnant women go to pagodas?
According to folk belief, temples and pagodas are places with a lot of negative energy that is not good for the baby in the womb. Moreover, many people also believe that there are many wandering souls in pagodas, so the fetus can easily lose its spirit. Based on these beliefs, many people think that pregnant women should not go to pagodas and should even abstain for the entire 9 months and 10 days of pregnancy.
However, regarding this issue, Feng Shui expert Nguyen Song Ha – President of the Duong Cong Cam Chau World Feng Shui Association, Vietnam Branch, also said: Pregnant women should not go to pagodas often and should also limit going to cemeteries, funerals, or graveyards. This is because there are many wandering and hungry souls in pagodas, and if they are compatible with the pregnant woman, the baby will cry incessantly until 8-10 months old.
In general, during pregnancy, pregnant women should limit going to pagodas, or if they are truly devout, they can pray at home. Furthermore, avoiding going to pagodas during pregnancy also helps pregnant women avoid crowded situations that can affect their health and the safety of both the mother and the fetus.
However, Buddhist expert Nguyen Manh Cuong argues that temples and pagodas are sacred and pure places that dispel all calamities. According to him, pregnant women can and should go to pagodas, as it is good for both the mother and the fetus. However, it’s best for pregnant women to just offer incense and not visit other places of worship within the pagoda complex.
Pregnant women visiting pagodas at the beginning of the year should note the following points
Pregnant women should pay attention to the following points to ensure safety and well-being for both the mother and the baby when visiting pagodas.
– Pregnant women should avoid crowded pagodas because jostling or falling can affect the fetus. Besides, the smell of incense can make pregnant women feel suffocated, and if they have a weak immune system, they can easily contract respiratory diseases which can affect the fetus.
– Pregnant women should only visit pagodas when they are in good health, and especially when the fetus is healthy. In cases where the pregnant woman is prone to miscarriage, it is best to have a clear plan to choose a suitable time to visit, without affecting the health of the mother and fetus.
– Focusing on Buddha is the main thing, so pregnant women do not necessarily have to go to pagodas if traveling is tiring. Pregnant women can choose pagodas near their homes for convenient travel.
– When entering a pagoda, pregnant women should enter through the side door and avoid the main gate.
– Pregnant women should dress neatly and avoid wearing short clothes, shorts, or revealing clothing.
– Pregnant women should offer incense in the area outside the pagoda and limit burning incense inside.
– Pregnant women should not kneel directly in the center but should kneel slightly to the left.
– Pregnant women should also avoid taking photos, filming, or talking loudly inside the pagoda.
– Pregnant women should place offerings for Buddha in the main hall (the main worship area). The altar in the main hall should only be used for vegetarian offerings.
– Pregnant women should not buy votive paper or hell money to offer to Buddha in the pagoda. If they already have these offerings, they should be placed at the altar of Duc Ong (Earth God) or Thanh Mau (Holy Mother).
– Especially during pregnancy, which is a very special period for women, there are many taboos to follow to avoid affecting the health of the fetus. However, pregnant women don’t always need to be too strict with themselves about traditional principles and beliefs.
Finally, regarding visiting pagodas at the beginning of the year, although pregnant women should not go to pagodas frequently and should not go when the fetus is large or close to the due date, to ensure the safety and health of both mother and baby, pregnant women can dedicate special respect to Buddha and Quan Am Bodhisattva on other occasions after their baby is born.
Thus, the above article has addressed concerns about whether pregnant women should visit pagodas at the beginning of the year? What taboos are there? Pregnant women can refer to this information to ensure that visiting pagodas does not affect their health and that of their fetus. In conclusion, we wish all pregnant women a safe and healthy pregnancy until their beloved baby is born.
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