Prayer for the 15th of the 1st Lunar Month (Tết Nguyên Tiêu)
The 15th day of the 1st lunar month — Tết Nguyên Tiêu (Lantern Festival)
Meaning
The 15th of the 1st lunar month is also called Tết Nguyên Tiêu (the first full-moon night of the year). It is a major Buddhist and folk-belief holiday. Vietnamese households make offerings to the Buddha and to ancestors on this day to invoke peace for the entire year. As the proverb goes: "A year of offerings does not equal the offering on the 15th of the 1st month."
Offering preparation
Vegetarian tray (if offering to the Buddha): sticky rice, sweet soup, fruit, cakes, incense, and candles. Meat tray (if offering to ancestors): chicken or other savory dishes alongside fruit, incense, candles, and votive paper.
Content
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)
I bow to the nine directions of Heaven, the ten directions of all Buddhas.
I respectfully bow to August Heaven and Sovereign Earth and all the venerable deities.
I respectfully bow to the local Tutelary Deity, the Kitchen Gods, and the Earth Deity.
I respectfully bow to the spirits of the lineage on both paternal and maternal sides.
The faithful (we) are: ..........................................
Residing at: ..........................................
Today is the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, year .......... (lunar) — Tết Nguyên Tiêu.
With sincere heart we present offerings of incense and flowers, humbly asking:
That the Buddhas, Sages, and deities bear witness to our sincerity.
That the ancestors of both sides come and partake of these offerings.
We respectfully ask that they bless our family:
With peace and health throughout the year.
With work that sails smoothly with the wind.
With children who progress in their studies.
With flowing fortune and freedom from all calamity.
We offer modest gifts with sincere hearts; we respectfully present them.
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)