Prayer to the Deities at Nhập Trạch
House-warming rite, moving into a new home
Meaning
The nhập trạch rite is a spiritual "registration" with the deities overseeing the land. It reports the completed construction, asks permission to move in and set up the incense bowl for worship, and invokes peace and goodness in the new dwelling.
Offering preparation
- 1 chicken, 1 plate of sticky rice or bánh chưng, salt, rice, water, wine, cigarettes, tea.
- Set of paper robes for the Spirit Mandarin, gold paper money, red oản cakes, five-fruit tray, roses.
- The wife/mother enters first carrying a mirror; the head of household carries the incense bowl. Bring in the kitchen fire and essential items. Set up the altar facing an auspicious direction.
- Set of paper robes for the Spirit Mandarin, gold paper money, red oản cakes, five-fruit tray, roses.
- The wife/mother enters first carrying a mirror; the head of household carries the incense bowl. Bring in the kitchen fire and essential items. Set up the altar facing an auspicious direction.
Content
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)
I respectfully 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 local deities overseeing this region.
Today is the .......... day of the .......... month, year ...........
The faithful: ……………………………………
Residing at: ……………………………………………………………………………
With sincere heart we prepare incense, flowers, offerings, and other gifts laid out before the altar; before the seats of the venerable deities we humbly report: the upright Spirit Deities hold the seat of the Three Stars (Tam Thai), wielding the power of creation; embodying the life-loving virtue of Heaven and Earth, sheltering the good and protecting living beings, upholding the right way.
Our family has now completed the construction and chosen an auspicious day to move in, lighting the kitchen fire and respectfully celebrating; we respectfully ask the wise deities to allow us to enter the new home at …………………………………………………… and to set up the incense bowl for worship. (If moving to a new home, add: "Permit the faithful to escort the spirits of our family ancestors to this new home for worship.") We respectfully ask the wise deities to bestow grace and blessing, that our family enjoy peace, ease, advancing livelihood, abundant fortune as wished, and all things good. May each person know peace; may all comings and goings bring profit. We humbly ask for your great kindness and shelter.
The faithful also invites the spirits of former and latter occupants of this house and land to come behold the venerable deities, partake of these offerings, and shelter the faithful with abundant health, prosperity, and ease. May the four seasons hold no misfortune, may the eight solar terms bring auspicious signs.
We offer modest gifts with sincere hearts; before the altar we humbly bow and ask to be sheltered and supported.
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)