Year-End (Tất Niên) Prayer
Afternoon of the 29th or 30th of the 12th lunar month, before the year-end family reunion meal
Meaning
The Tất Niên rite is the year-end ceremony, summing up the old year and preparing for the new. The family gathers to make offerings to ancestors, giving thanks for their protection through the year and respectfully inviting them to celebrate Tết with the descendants.
Offering preparation
Year-end offering tray: boiled chicken, sticky rice or bánh chưng, traditional regional dishes, fruit, incense, candles, wine, and tea.
Content
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)
The faithful petitioner: ..........................................
Residing at: ..........................................
Today is the .......... day of the 12th lunar month, year .......... (lunar) — the day of Tất Niên.
The old year is about to pass and the new year about to arrive; the descendants sincerely present offerings of incense and flowers.
We respectfully bow to our ancestors, grandparents, parents, and the spirits of the lineage on both paternal and maternal sides.
We respectfully report: Throughout the past year, by the kindness of the venerable spirits, our family has enjoyed peace. Now at the year's close, the descendants sincerely present this offering, thanking the spirits for the shelter given throughout the year.
We respectfully invite the spirits of the lineage to come and enjoy the spring and the Tết festival together with the descendants.
We offer modest gifts with sincere hearts; we respectfully present them and ask that they be witnessed.
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)