Year-End Rite (Tất Niên — Afternoon of the 30th of Tết)
Afternoon of the 30th of Tết (or 29th if the month is short)
Meaning
The Tất Niên rite is the moment of reporting that the old year has passed, presenting offerings of thanks to Heaven, the Buddhas, and the deities, and inviting ancestors to partake of the offerings and gather with the family during the three days of Tết, praying for peace in the new year.
Offering preparation
- Incense, flowers, fruit, betel and areca (1 to 3 areca nuts with stems and 1 betel leaf), 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, Sovereign Earth, and all the venerable deities.
- I respectfully bow to the Reigning Grand Duke (Thái Tuế) of the current year of supreme virtue.
- I respectfully bow to the local Tutelary Deities and Great Sovereigns.
- I respectfully bow to the Earth Deity of this place.
- I respectfully bow to the Five-Direction, Five-Earth, Long Mạch, Wealth, and Kitchen God deities of this household, together with all the deities overseeing this region.
- I respectfully bow to the High Ancestors and Ancestresses, and the spirits of the lineage on both paternal and maternal sides of the family ...........................................................................................................
Today is the 30th of the 12th lunar month, year ................................................
The faithful (we) are: …………………………...........................................
Residing at: ……………………............................................................................
Before the altar we respectfully report: Winter is ending, the year is at its close, the spring season is near, the new year is about to come.
We and our entire family prepare offerings of incense and flowers, a bountiful meal, performing the Tất Niên rite, presented to Heaven, Earth, and the venerable deities; offered to our ancestors; remembering all spirits. As is the year-end custom, we humbly ask the venerable deities, the ancestors, and the spirits of this place — past and present — to descend before the altar, bear witness, partake of these offerings, and bless the whole family — old and young — with peace, prosperity, lasting health, smooth fortune in all things, and family harmony.
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)