Prayer to Thổ Công and Household Deities (1st and 15th of the Lunar Month)

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, Sovereign Earth, and all the venerable deities. - I respectfully bow to the Eastern Kitchen Sovereign of Destiny, Lord of the Kitchen Court. - I respectfully bow to the household Earth Deity and the venerable Long Mạch Deity (the dragon vein of the land). - I respectfully bow to the Five-Direction, Five-Earth, and Blessing-Bestowing venerable deities. - I respectfully bow to the former and latter Earth Lords of Wealth. - I respectfully bow to all the venerable deities overseeing this region. Today is the .......... day of the .......... month, year ........... The faithful (we) are: ……………………………………………………… Residing at: ……………………………………………………………………… We sincerely prepare incense, flowers, offerings, gold and silver votive paper, tea, and fruit; we light fragrant incense and present them before the altar. We sincerely invite: The Reigning Grand Duke (Thái Tuế) of the current year of supreme virtue. The local Tutelary Deities and Great Sovereigns. The Eastern Kitchen Sovereign of Destiny, Lord of the Kitchen Court. The household Earth Deity and the venerable Long Mạch Deity. The Five-Direction, Five-Earth, and Blessing-Bestowing principal deities. All the venerable deities overseeing this region. We humbly ask the deities to hear our invitation and have compassion on the faithful, to descend before the altar, bear witness to our sincerity, partake of these offerings, and bless the whole family with peace and ease — work flowing smoothly, every person enjoying peace, fortune and wealth advancing, the way of the heart opening, every wish granted, every prayer fulfilled. 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)