New-Year Thanksgiving (Hóa Vàng) Prayer
End of Tết (typically the 3rd to 7th of the 1st lunar month)
Meaning
The hóa vàng rite closes the days of Tết. The head of household prepares offerings to thank the deities, sees the ancestors back to the underworld, and burns votive paper and clothing so the elders have provisions for travel — asking for blessings and grace upon the family.
Offering preparation
- Incense, flowers, fruit, betel and areca, candles, wine...
- Votive paper.
- A meat offering tray and bánh chưng. Arrange amply and with solemnity.
- Votive paper.
- A meat offering tray and bánh chưng. Arrange amply and with solemnity.
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 local Tutelary Deities and Great Sovereigns.
- I respectfully bow to the Earth Deity of this place, the Kitchen Gods of Blessing, the Earth Lords, the Long Mạch venerable deities, and all the deities overseeing this region.
- I respectfully bow to the ancestors and all the spirits of the lineage on both paternal and maternal sides.
Today is the .... of the 1st lunar month, year …………….……….
The faithful (we) are: …………………………..................................
Residing at: ……………………...................................................................
We sincerely prepare incense, flowers, and offerings; the rite arranged in solemn order, presented before the altar; offered to the Buddhas and Saints; presented to the venerable deities. Lighting incense, we humbly bow and respectfully report: The spring banquet has ended, Tết Nguyên Đán has passed; we now beg leave to burn the votive paper, give thanks to the venerable deities, and respectfully escort the ancestral spirits back to the underworld. We humbly ask: that fortune and grace remain, that we be sheltered and supported, that this living dwelling and the resting graves all be auspicious. May the descendants enjoy peace and the household prosper. With sincere heart and modest offering, presented in great measure, we humbly ask you to bear witness.
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)