Prayer to Thành Hoàng (Tutelary Deity) at the Đình, Đền, or Miếu

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 August Heaven, Sovereign Earth, and all the venerable deities. - I respectfully bow to the Reigning Grand Duke (Thái Tuế) of the current year of supreme virtue. - I respectfully bow to the local Tutelary Deities and Great Sovereigns. The pilgrim: ................................................................................ ........................................................................................................ Residing at: ............................................................................................. ........................................................................................................ Today is the … day of the …..month, year ...................................................... The pilgrim has come to ………………… with sincere heart we humbly reflect: the Great King received the Heavenly Court's command to descend into Vietnam as the local Tutelary Deity, master of one region, ever bestowing blessings and shelter on the people. Now we, the pilgrims, sincerely present this modest offering, presenting incense, flowers, and oản cakes… We pray that the local Tutelary Deity and Great Kings bear witness, extend their compassion, and shelter us with abundant health, all things good, much fortune and wealth, peace and prosperity, every wish granted, every prayer fulfilled. We pilgrims offer modest gifts with sincere hearts; before the altar we humbly bow and ask to be sheltered and supported. Namo Amitābha Buddha! Namo Amitābha Buddha! Namo Amitābha Buddha! Closing the rite After completing the rite at all the altars, while waiting out one round of incense, one may visit the scenery of the place of worship. Closing the rite After completing the rite at all the altars, while waiting out one round of incense, one may visit the scenery of the place of worship. When one round of incense has burned out, one may light another round. After lighting incense, bow three times before each altar, then take down the gold and silver paper money and other votive items to be burned at the burning area. When burning the votive paper, burn each set separately, from the votive paper of the main altar last to the votive paper at the Cô-Cậu altar. Only after burning the votive paper does one take down the other offerings. When taking down offerings, take from the outermost altar inward to the main altar. As for the offerings on the Cô-Cậu altar — such as mirrors, combs… — leave them on the altar or, if there is a designated place for them, gather them there and not bring them home.