Prayer to Report to the Ancestors at Nhập Trạch
After the offering to the deities on the day of nhập trạch
Meaning
After asking permission of the local deities, the head of household invites ancestors of both sides to take their seats at the new altar, reports the founding of a stable household, and asks the spirits to bless the descendants with constant health and prosperity.
Offering preparation
Use the nhập trạch offering tray, set before the ancestors' spirit-seat.
Content
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)
I respectfully bow to the ancestors of both paternal and maternal sides of the family ………………………………………
Today is the .......... day of the .......... month, year ...........
Our family has just moved to (address): …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
We set up the spirit-seat, prepare offerings, lay them on the altar, and before the spirit-seat respectfully report to the ancestors of both sides. Through the great blessing of the ancestors, grandparents, and parents, we have built this new home. Having chosen an auspicious day and month, we set up the altar, raise the bedstead, light the fire, and respectfully celebrate.
We humbly ask the elders and the spirits of the lineage on both paternal and maternal sides of the family ............... to have compassion on the descendants, bear witness to our sincerity, descend to the spirit-seat to partake of these offerings, and shelter and support us — that wealth and fortune advance, the household prosper, and the descendants enjoy peace and health. May the holy spirits look down and accept our deep gratitude.
We offer modest gifts with sincere hearts; before the altar we humbly bow and ask to be sheltered and supported.
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)