Prayer to the Long Mạch at Cải Cát (Reburial)

Namo Amitābha Buddha! Namo Amitābha Buddha! Namo Amitābha Buddha! - I 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 Long Mạch, the Mountain Deity, the Earth Deity, and the spirit-deities overseeing this region. Today is the …… day of the ….. month, year ………………………. The faithful (we) are: …………………………………….. Residing at: ……………………………………………………….. In light of today being the day of cải cát (moving the grave, repairing the grave) for…………… with grave at………………………… We and our entire family, following the rite, prepare incense, flowers, and offerings, presented before the seat of the venerable deities and all the sacred ones, respectfully reporting. We respectfully report to the Mountain Deity, the Earth Deity, the Long Mạch, and all the spirit-deities, humbly asking you to bear witness and shelter our whole family with peace, ease, and all things good. We offer modest gifts with sincere hearts and humbly ask to be sheltered and supported. Namo Amitābha Buddha! Namo Amitābha Buddha! Namo Amitābha Buddha! Text for the Thượng Thọ (Great Longevity) Rite Families whose grandparents or parents have reached 70 years of age perform the Thượng Thọ rite for them. This is a custom expressing the moral way of being human, of remembering the source from which one drinks, of respecting and giving thanks to those who gave one birth and nurture. By old custom, families with grandparents or parents reaching 70 years of age perform the Thượng Thọ rite. This is a custom expressing the moral way of being human, of remembering the source from which one drinks, of respecting and giving thanks to those who gave one birth and nurture, very worthy of being honored. On the day of the longevity rite, the head of household must have an offering tray: incense, flowers, fruit, votive paper, together with a meat offering of chicken and sticky rice or the three sacrifices (pig, ox, goat), brought to the đình (communal house) to perform the rite to the Spirits, called bowing in thanks to the Spirit Hưu (thanking the Spirits for sheltering one's parents to live long). During the rite, the parents wear beautiful clothing and sit on a chair placed in the center; the descendants perform the rite. The children present the offerings, each presenting a cup of wine for longevity, or holding a basket of peaches called the bàn đào longevity-blessing tray. When the descendants have completed the rite, they organize a feast to celebrate, inviting neighbors and guests. Guests bring offerings and witness the elder's happiness and the descendants' filial piety. The lineage also offers congratulations. Couplets and large characters are hung on both walls to congratulate the elder. Some homes even invite singers to chant poetry and sing. During the Thượng Thọ rite, a text is recited reporting to the ancestors: