Rite for Sending the Kitchen Gods to the Heavenly Court
The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month each year
Meaning
The Kitchen Gods send-off rite reports the family's deeds of the year to the Jade Emperor (Ngọc Hoàng) through the Kitchen Gods, while asking the deity to bestow blessings and prosperity and to overlook missteps from the past year.
Offering preparation
- A meat offering tray.
- Cakes and candies, betel and areca (1 to 3 areca nuts with stems and 1 betel leaf), wine...
- Incense, candles, fresh flower vase, fresh fruit.
- Three sets of paper hats, robes, and shoes for the Kitchen Gods, along with paper money.
- Three live carp.
- Cakes and candies, betel and areca (1 to 3 areca nuts with stems and 1 betel leaf), wine...
- Incense, candles, fresh flower vase, fresh fruit.
- Three sets of paper hats, robes, and shoes for the Kitchen Gods, along with paper money.
- Three live carp.
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 the Eastern Kitchen Sovereign of Destiny, Lord of the Kitchen Court (Đông Trù Tư Mệnh Táo Phủ Thần Quân).
The faithful (we) are: ………………………………………………………
Residing at: …………………………………………………………………
Today is the 23rd of the 12th lunar month. We sincerely prepare incense, flowers, offerings, robes and hats, respectfully presented to the venerable deity. Lighting the incense of devotion, we sincerely bow. We respectfully invite the Eastern Kitchen Sovereign of Destiny, Lord of the Kitchen Court to manifest before the altar and partake of these offerings.
Following ancient custom, you are the Lord of the Five Household Deities, watching the hearts of mortals — Táo Quân, please bear witness.
For any wrongs in the past year, we humbly ask the venerable deity to overlook and forgive. Bestow fortune and blessings, shelter the whole family — sons and daughters, young and old — in security, health, and ease.
With sincere heart we humbly ask you to bear witness.
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)