Prayer for Wandering Souls in the 7th Month
The 7th lunar month, especially the 14th or 15th
Meaning
The 7th lunar month is called in folk belief "the month of wandering souls" — the time when the gates of the underworld open and spirits without refuge roam free. Vietnamese households make offerings to these wandering souls to give alms, accumulate merit, and prevent them from causing trouble.
Offering preparation
Offerings to wandering souls include: thin congee, salt, rice (to be scattered), candies, popcorn, sugar cane, sweet potato, corn, water, votive paper, and small change. Set outdoors or before the front door.
Content
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)
Today is the .......... day of the 7th month, year .......... (lunar).
The faithful: ..........................................
Residing at: ..........................................
On this 7th month of wandering souls, we sincerely prepare offerings — a small token of sincerity offered to:
The ranks of wandering souls and hungry ghosts.
The spirits without refuge, without anyone to make offerings to them.
The lonely, drifting souls.
We respectfully invite the spirits to come and partake of these offerings.
We humbly ask that, after partaking, the spirits be liberated to a blessed realm and not disturb the world of the living.
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)