According to ancient beliefs, offering on the Full Moon day of the Lunar New Year is considered the most auspicious and sacred. Particularly, offering during the auspicious hours for offering in the Lunar New Year is believed to bring abundant luck and prosperity to the family.
The auspicious hours for offering on the Full Moon day of the Lunar New Year are typically from 7 - 9 AM, 11 AM - 1 PM, and 1 PM - 3 PM in the lunar calendar.
In the auspicious hour of the 15th lunar day, honor the spirits of ancestors on the first full moon of the lunar year. This period, between 11 AM and 1 PM, resonates with the benevolent presence of Buddha and ancestral spirits, acknowledging the heartfelt reverence of the household.
If the hustle of life impedes the midday homage on the 15th lunar day, alternative timings suffice. Opt for the hours of Mau Thin (7 - 9 AM), Canh Ngo (11 AM - 1 PM), or Tan Mui (1 - 3 PM) to pay respects on the first full moon of the lunar year.
Alternatively, pay homage on the 15th lunar day during the hours of Binh Thin (7 - 9 AM), Dinh Ty (9 AM - 11 AM), Canh Than (3 - 5 PM), Tan Dau (5 - 7 PM), or Quy Hoi (9 - 11 PM) on the 14th lunar day.
Prepare a feast to honor ancestral spirits on the first full moon of the lunar year. Craft a bountiful spread as a token of reverence during this sacred time.
Essentials for Rằm tháng Giêng offerings? Just like the feast on the 23rd of December or Tet, the requirements for Rằm tháng Giêng offerings vary based on family circumstances and regional traditions. The key is sincerity.
However, note the difference between offerings at temples and at home. At temples, opt for vegetarian offerings or simple items like candles, sweets, and fresh fruits. At home, present savory dishes to deities and ancestors, according to personal taste without unnecessary extravagance.
Preparing the Rằm tháng Giêng altar
For detailed guidance on preparing the Rằm tháng Giêng altar, refer to this article:
- Explore more: Rằm tháng Giêng offering table
3. Standard and comprehensive Rằm tháng Giêng 2022 prayer script
In addition to finding the auspicious timing for Rằm tháng Giêng offerings, preparing the Rằm tháng Giêng prayer script is essential. It helps you sincerely pray to ancestors and deities for blessings.
- Learn more: Rằm tháng Giêng 2022 prayer script
* Ancestral offering ritual for Rằm tháng Giêng
Namo Amitabha Buddha! (recite 3 times)
I bow to the nine realms of Heaven, the ten directions of Buddhas, and the Buddhas of the ten directions.
I respectfully bow to the Heavenly Emperor, the Earthly Emperor, and all revered deities.
I humbly pay homage to you, Eastern Guardian.
I respectfully honor you, Earthly Dragon of the ancestral home.
I bow in reverence to the Five Directions, the Five Elements, the Divine Beings of Blessings and Virtue.
I offer my utmost respect to you, divine guardians of land and prosperity, past and present.
We respectfully pay homage to the divine rulers overseeing this realm.
Our beliefs reside in:... dwelling at:...
Today, on the date... month... year..., we devoutly prepare floral offerings, precious incense, and tea, and light fragrant candles to present before the altar.
We sincerely invite: The Honorable Kim Nien as the Divine Guardian of Thai Tue, the illustrious rulers of Ban Canh Castle, the Eastern Garrison of the Heavenly Imperial Guards, the Earthly Dragon of the Ancestral Home, the Divine Beings of the Five Directions, the Five Elements, and Blessings and Virtue, along with the esteemed divine rulers governing this region.
We humbly implore your attentive ears to our invitation, descend upon this altar, bear witness to our sincere hearts, accept our offerings, bless our entire household with peace and prosperity, and ensure success in our endeavors. May everyone be blessed with peace, prosperity, expanded spiritual understanding, fulfillment of desires, and unified hearts.
We present our earnest reverence, perform rituals before the altar, and beseech for divine protection and support.
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (recited 3 times)
* Outdoor Offering Ceremony on the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (recited thrice)
I bow to the nine celestial directions, the ten directions of Buddhas, and the Buddhas of the ten directions.
I respectfully pay homage to the Celestial Emperor, the Earthly Sovereign, and all revered Deities.
I reverently honor the Lord of Ban Canh Castle, the Guardian of the Earthly Realm, the Orchard Deity, and all divine beings.
I respectfully honor the ancestors, elder and younger paternal and maternal relatives.
Our beliefs reside in:...
Residing at:..
Today, on the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month of the Year of the Tiger 2022, coinciding with the Lantern Festival, our devout believers prepare offerings, light incense, acquire ceremonial items, and present them before the altar.
We respectfully invite the Lord of Ban Canh Castle, the divine rulers of the Earthly Realm, the Orchard Deity, the Guardians of the Five Directions, the Earthly Dragon, and the Deity of Prosperity. We humbly implore your sacred presence to heed our invitation, descend upon this altar, bear witness to our sincere hearts, and accept our offerings.
We respectfully invite our ancestors, elder and younger paternal and maternal relatives, and all ancestral spirits... to hear our earnest prayers, extend invitations from descendants, bear witness to heartfelt sincerity, and accept offerings.
Our devout believers also invite our ancestors, predecessors, and successors to come and accept offerings, bear witness to sincere hearts, and provide divine protection and support for our family to receive blessings, unhindered by the seasons, and enjoy peace throughout the year.
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (recited thrice)
* Ritual Offering to Spiritual Deities on the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (recited thrice)
I bow to the nine celestial directions, the ten directions of Buddhas, and the Buddhas of the ten directions.
I respectfully honor the Celestial Emperor, the Earthly Sovereign, and all revered deities.
I respectfully honor the Eastern Guardian.
I respectfully honor the Earthly Dragon of the ancestral home.
I respectfully honor the Divine Beings of the Five Directions, the Five Elements, and Blessings and Virtue.
I respectfully honor the divine rulers of past and present, guardians of wealth and prosperity.
We respectfully pay homage to the divine rulers governing this region.
Our beliefs reside in:... dwelling at:...
Residing at:... Today, on the date... month... year..., our devout believers wholeheartedly prepare floral offerings, precious incense, and fragrant candles to present before the altar.
We sincerely invite: The Honorable Kim Nien as the Divine Guardian of Thai Tue, the illustrious rulers of Ban Canh Castle, the Eastern Garrison of the Heavenly Imperial Guards, the Earthly Dragon of the Ancestral Home, the Divine Beings of the Five Directions, the Five Elements, and Blessings and Virtue, along with the esteemed divine rulers governing this region.
We humbly implore your attentive ears to our invitation, descend upon this altar, bear witness to our sincere hearts, accept our offerings, bless our entire household with peace and prosperity, and ensure success in our endeavors. May everyone be blessed with peace, prosperity, expanded spiritual understanding, fulfillment of desires, and unified hearts.
We present our earnest reverence, perform rituals before the altar, and beseech for divine protection and support.
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (recited thrice)
4. Important notes for offering rituals on the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month, essential for homeowners
Alongside observing the auspicious time for offering rituals on the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month, preparing the ritual text, and offerings, you also need to pay attention to the following to ensure the ceremony is conducted properly, demonstrating sincere respect to the divine:
- Before the ritual, tidy up and clean the altar.
- Avoid burning too much gold and silver. After the incense week, consider burning gold and silver in a specific container to minimize fire hazards.
- If offering fruits, select fresh and high-quality ones. Common choices include white lilies, chrysanthemums, and yellow chrysanthemums.
- When lighting incense, do so in odd numbers, avoiding even numbers. Aim for 1 to 3 incense sticks per offering.
- Dress neatly and solemnly during the ritual. Maintain a sincere demeanor while offering prayers.
With the sharing above, it is hoped that you now know the auspicious time for offering rituals on the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month. Additionally, ensure you have prepared the offerings and ritual texts adequately to conduct the ceremony with utmost solemnity, demonstrating profound respect for the divine beings and spirits.