Construction-Start Prayer (Alternative)
Beginning construction of a house or building
Meaning
Petition the Higher Powers and the assembled mandarins to bear witness, ensuring construction proceeds without trouble, neighbors remain in harmony, water flows in one direction, and the owner enjoys good health and well-being.
Offering preparation
Arrange a meat offering tray or offerings similar to the ground-breaking rite, set at the construction site.
Content
- Namo Amitābha Buddha (3 times)
- I bow to the Father King, the Jade Emperor (Ngọc Hoàng Thượng Đế).
- I bow to the Mandarin ……… Wang Hành Khiển, ……………………………. Chi Deity, ........... Tào Phán Quan.
- I bow to the Mandarins of the Southern Dipper and Northern Dipper.
- I bow to the Mother Goddess of the Heavens (Mẫu Thượng Thiên).
- I bow to the Council of Mandarins.
- I bow to the Tutelary Saint of the village and the local Tutelary Spirit.
- I bow to the spirit of the Kitchen God, King of the Hearth.
- I bow to the Mandarin of the Earth, the Mandarin of the Mound.
- I bow to the Great Affairs Mandarin, the Long Thần and Earth Deity, together with all deities overseeing this region.
In the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, ........................... Province, ............................................................. District, ....................................................... Ward, house number ..................................................................................................................................
I am ....................................................., aged .............., with my family on the .......... day of the .......... month, year ................................ (lunar)
We have incense, flowers, and offerings. We respectfully present them to the Father King, the Mother Goddess, and the Council of Mandarins to bear witness ....................................... — that all be favorable and smooth, that mortal neighbors not cause trouble or complication, that the surrounding waters flow in one course, that all be at ease above and below. We pray that through the three months of summer and the nine months of winter, what we wish for be granted, what is good come and what is harmful depart, that people enjoy ease and goods abound.
We ask to receive wealth, fortune, silver, money, and trading prosperity, that the household (or organization) may always enjoy peace and good health, growing better day by day.
Namo Amitābha Buddha (3 times)