Ground-Breaking Prayer for Digging a Well
Before drilling a water well or digging a traditional well
Meaning
Digging a well concerns the underground water vein and requires offering to the Dragon Deity (Long Thần) and Water Deity (Thủy Thần) — the deities overseeing water sources. The rite ensures the well will yield abundant clean water and that no obstacles arise.
Offering preparation
Incense, candles, fruit, betel and areca, wine, rice, salt, votive paper. Set at the digging spot. May add a little salt and rice to scatter into the well after the rite.
Content
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)
We respectfully bow to August Heaven and Sovereign Earth and all the venerable deities.
We respectfully bow to the Dragon Deity (Long Thần), Water Deity (Thủy Thần), and Well Deity (Tỉnh Thần).
We respectfully bow to the Earth Deity of this place.
The faithful: ..........................................
Residing at: ..........................................
Today is the .......... day of the .......... month, year ..........
The faithful wishes to dig a well at: ..........................................
We sincerely report and ask permission of the venerable deities to dig a well in search of water.
We respectfully ask the deities:
To bless the well-digging with favor and a good water vein.
That the well yield abundant water — clean, cool, and sweet.
That no accident occur during the digging.
We offer modest gifts with sincere hearts; we respectfully present them.
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)