Ground-Breaking Rite Prayer (for building, renovating, or roof-raising)
Beginning of construction, roof-raising, foundation digging, or gate-opening
Meaning
The rite asks permission of the deities overseeing the plot before disturbing the earth-vein and the foundation. It invokes blessing for safe and favorable construction, so the finished home will bring fortune.
Offering preparation
- 1 set of "three sacrifices" (meat, shrimp, egg), 1 chicken, 1 plate of sticky rice or bánh chưng.
- Salt, rice, water, wine, cigarettes, tea.
- Set of paper robes for the Spirit Mandarin (red color, white sword), gold flowers, 5 oản cakes, betel and areca, five-fruit tray, 9 red roses.
- Choose an auspicious day and hour; place the offering tray at the center of the planned foundation site.
- Salt, rice, water, wine, cigarettes, tea.
- Set of paper robes for the Spirit Mandarin (red color, white sword), gold flowers, 5 oản cakes, betel and areca, five-fruit tray, 9 red roses.
- Choose an auspicious day and hour; place the offering tray at the center of the planned foundation site.
Content
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)
I respectfully bow to the nine directions of Heaven, the ten directions of all Buddhas, the Buddhas of the ten directions.
I respectfully bow to August Heaven and Sovereign Earth and all the venerable deities.
I respectfully bow to the year's reigning Hành Khiển Mandarin ………, the year's Chi Deity ………, and the Tào Phán Quan judge.
I respectfully bow to the venerable deities of this place.
Today is the .......... day of the .......... month, year ...........
The faithful: ……………………………………
Residing at: ……………………………………………………………………………
We sincerely prepare incense, flowers, offerings, and other gifts laid out before the altar. The faithful is beginning (or roof-raising, gate-building, renovating, or rebuilding...) the house at address ……………………………………………………………………,
the living dwelling that shall house our family and descendants. Having now chosen an auspicious day and month, we respectfully report to the venerable spirits and humbly ask their consideration and permission to break ground (or raise the roof, build the gate, renovate, or rebuild...). With sincere hearts we present these offerings before the altar and respectfully invite:
The Reigning Grand Duke (Thái Tuế) of the current year of supreme virtue.
The local Tutelary Deities and Great Sovereigns.
The Earth Deity of this place.
The Kitchen God of Blessing, the Earth Lords and the Long Mạch venerable deities, and all the deities overseeing this region.
We humbly ask the deities to descend before the altar, bear witness to our sincerity, partake of these offerings, and bless us — granting smooth flow in all our affairs, favorable work, the safety of owner and workers, days of profit, unseen support and visible help, every wish granted, every prayer fulfilled.
The faithful also respectfully reports to the spirits of former and latter occupants and the wandering souls dwelling in this region. We invite you to come and behold the venerable deity, partake of these offerings, and shelter the faithful and the workers, granting peace, swift completion of the work, and all things as wished.
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)