Prayer for the Thành Phục Rite

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 the local Tutelary Deities and Great Sovereigns. - I respectfully bow to the Eastern Kitchen Sovereign of Destiny, Lord of the Kitchen Court. - I respectfully bow to the family ancestors, the High Ancestors and Ancestresses. Today is the ....... day of the ........ month, year ..................... The eldest son (or eldest grandson) is. ........................ following the command of the mother (if mourning the mother, or the father if mourning the father) and the uncles, together with brothers-in-law, elder sisters, younger brothers and sisters, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, descendants of both paternal and maternal sides, respectfully bow. Now on this Thành Phục rite according to traditional ceremony, We respectfully present a modest offering to express our sincerity. Before the spirit-tablet of: Hiển....................... true spirit. We respectfully report: Alas! Mount Hỗ (or Mount Dĩ when mourning a mother) is shrouded in clouds. The Thung sapling (or the Huyên when mourning a mother) is broken by the wind. A hundred years — Heaven has been so cruel and stingy; A single instant — life departs so swiftly! The filial son's hope was for many days and months, To repay the kindness of food and clothes deeply received. Now the mourning robe — how strange to wear, how grievous to be at the head of the funeral mourning! Alas! Our grief is great! What has Heaven and Earth done to us! Remembering father (or mother) — your every meal and act, our hearts are heavy through the nine watches and five vigils. Who caused such suffering! How can you leave the children to mourn day and night, tears flowing in two streams, filling whole bowls. Now the mourning attire is ready; we set out the funeral as is custom. The staff and headband follow the usual way; Thành Phục rite, we respectfully present money for the offering. Oh grief! Namo Amitābha Buddha! Namo Amitābha Buddha! Namo Amitābha Buddha!