Skip navigation, go to main content

Mid-Autumn Festival Prayer

Night of the 15th of the 8th lunar month — the Mid-Autumn Festival

Meaning

Tết Trung Thu (the Mid-Autumn Festival, on the 15th of the 8th lunar month) is the traditional Vietnamese full-moon festival. Beyond the joys of lanterns and mooncakes, many families also offer to the moon and to ancestors on this occasion to invoke peace and reunion.

Offering preparation

Mooncakes, fruit (pomelo, banana, custard apple, persimmon...), candies, lanterns, incense, and candles. Set in the front yard or on a balcony with a view of the moon.

Content

Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times) Today is the 15th of the 8th lunar month, year .......... — the Mid-Autumn Festival. The faithful (we) are: .......................................... Residing at: .......................................... On this Mid-Autumn occasion, with the moon shining bright and the family gathered together, we sincerely present offerings of incense and flowers. We respectfully bow to the Moon Deity (Nguyệt Thần) and all the venerable deities. We respectfully bow to the spirits of the lineage on both sides. We respectfully invite the venerable ones to come and partake. We humbly ask blessings for our family: Reunion in peace and harmonious joy. Obedient children who excel in their studies. A new year of fullness, all things going as wished. Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)

Source: Source: Văn khấn cổ truyền Việt Nam (Culture and Information Publishing House, 2015), p. 115; Văn khấn Nôm truyền thống (Hồng Đức Publishing House, 2018), p. 88.