Prayer for the First Day of Tết
Morning of the 1st of the 1st lunar month — the first morning of the new year
Meaning
The morning of the first day of Tết is the most sacred moment of the year. The offering to ancestors on this morning expresses gratitude and reverence to departed forebears, while asking their blessing for a new year of health, fortune, and happiness.
Offering preparation
A full Tết offering tray: bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake), gấc-fruit sticky rice, boiled chicken, sausage and pork roll, fruit, Tết candied fruit, wine, tea, incense, and candles. Arranged on the family ancestral altar.
Content
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)
The faithful petitioner: ..........................................
Residing at: ..........................................
Today is the 1st day of the 1st lunar month, year .......... (lunar).
On this occasion of Tết Nguyên Đán, the descendants sincerely prepare incense, flowers, and offerings, presented before the family ancestral altar.
We respectfully bow to the high ancestors and ancestresses and to all the spirits of the lineage.
The new year has now arrived; the descendants are gathered together, remembering the kindness of birth and nurture given by our ancestors.
We respectfully invite the spirits of the lineage to come and bear witness, and to partake of these offerings.
We humbly ask the spirits to bless us:
That the descendants of this house enjoy abundant health.
That in the new year all matters go smoothly and favorably.
That our livelihood prosper and our family live in harmony.
That we be spared from misfortune and illness.
We offer modest gifts with sincere hearts; we respectfully present them and ask that they be witnessed.
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)