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Every festival and commemoration day has its unique ceremony script, and Vu Lan Festival is no exception. However, they all serve the purpose of conveying prayers, wishes, and expressing gratitude to parents, grandparents, and ancestors. Below is the specific and comprehensive script for the Vu Lan Ceremony 2023 for your reference.
Guide to Performing the Filial Piety Ritual for Vu Lan Festival
1. Understanding the Significance of Vu Lan Festival
Vu Lan Day, also known as Parents' Day, Grandparents' Day, and Ancestors' Day, holds profound meaning in Vietnamese culture. It's universally acknowledged that parents make immense sacrifices for their children without expecting anything in return. Vietnamese culture highly values filial piety, hence people often pay homage to their parents and ancestors to fulfill their duties as children, remembering the hardships and sacrifices of their parents.
Therefore, the establishment of Vu Lan Day, celebrated on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, serves as a reminder for descendants to express gratitude towards their parents, grandparents, and ancestors. It also prompts individuals to appreciate what they have and demonstrate gratitude and affection towards their roots. Thus, Vu Lan Festival holds a significant place in Vietnamese cultural life.
2. When Does Vu Lan Festival Take Place?
What Day is Parents' Day? Vu Lan Festival is the day of filial piety. In Buddhism, it's considered a significant day to remember and express gratitude for the care and upbringing provided by parents and grandparents....
Traditionally, Vu Lan Festival is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month every year. Therefore, according to the 2023 calendar, Vu Lan Festival will fall on Friday, August 30th. On this day, don't forget to prepare meaningful gifts for your parents, such as cooking delicious meals, calling to check on them, or arranging a trip...
3. Proper Ritual Script for Vu Lan Ceremony
Similar to other ritual scripts, the script for Vu Lan ceremony is divided into rituals for ancestors, deities, etc. Choose the appropriate one depending on the occasion.
* Script for Vu Lan Ceremony 2023
Homage to Amitabha Buddha (recite 3 times)
Homage to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (while bowing and reciting 3 times)
Today is the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month in the year of the Rabbit 2023
At... (home address)
I, [Name], along with my family, pay respects.
I respectfully acknowledge the ancestors, elder siblings, paternal and maternal relatives, and ancestral spirits.
I respectfully pay tribute to the ancestors, uncles, aunts, and all ancestral spirits.
* Ancestral Script for Vu Lan Ceremony
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)
I pay respects to the paternal ancestors
I pay respects to the maternal ancestors
Today is the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month in the year... (Lunar calendar)
I, [Name], along with my entire family, express our gratitude.
During the Mid-Year Festival, we recall the great virtues of our ancestors, parents, and grandparents who gave birth to us, raised us, and guided us to become who we are.
Truly, their kindness is immeasurable, and their merits cannot be repaid.
Before the sacred spirits, we humbly seek mercy and blessings. May the divine beings witness and accept our offerings and sincere prayers. May they protect and bless us, our children, and grandchildren with prosperity and happiness, granting all our wishes, and bringing harmony to our family.
We respectfully invite all ancestral spirits to join and enjoy the Vu Lan festivities.
We earnestly request their acceptance of our offerings, prayers, and supplications.
May the bond between the living and the departed be strengthened.
We respectfully present our words.
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)
* Divine Spirit Script for Vu Lan Ceremony
Homage to Amitabha Buddha (3 times)
I pay respects to the nine directions, ten buddhas, and all buddhas in the ten directions.
I respectfully pay tribute to Earth Store Bodhisattva, Medicine Master Buddha.
Today is the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month...
I, [Name], reside at...
With a sincere heart, I arrange flowers, offerings, and various tributes, placing them before the altar.
We sincerely honor Earth Store Bodhisattva and Medicine Master Buddha.
* Another Script for Vu Lan Ceremony
Homage to Amitabha Buddha (3 times)
I pay respects to the nine directions, ten buddhas, and all buddhas in the ten directions.
I respectfully pay tribute to Earth Store Bodhisattva, Medicine Master Buddha.
Today is the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month...
I, [Name], along with my entire family, express our gratitude.
With a sincere heart, I arrange flowers, offerings, and various tributes, placing them before the altar.
We sincerely honor Earth Store Bodhisattva and Medicine Master Buddha.
We sincerely invite the Heavenly Manager Kim Nien, the dignified Thai Tue, the royal guardian spirits, the local earth spirits, the household gods, and all spirits governing this area.
We humbly request your presence to witness and judge.
Today, on the occasion of Vu Lan, the day of filial piety, the day of relieving the suffering of the deceased, we are grateful for the Triple Gem, the protection of the heavenly Buddha, and the guardian spirits, whose great virtues we cannot repay.
Therefore, we offer silver incense, express our sincere gratitude, and pray for acceptance. May you protect and bless us and our entire family, ensuring health and peace, unity in the right path, prosperity and success, and family harmony.
We sincerely offer our hearts and seek your judgment!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha (3 times).
4. How to Prepare Offerings for Vu Lan Festival
Apart from preparing the script for Vu Lan Ceremony, you also need to prepare offerings to ensure completeness and adherence to rituals.
* Offerings for Divine Spirits:
- Sticky rice (or prepare whole uncut square sticky rice cakes).
- Whole rooster.
- Fruits.
- Fresh fruits.
- Tea, wine.
* Ancestral Offering Ceremony:
- Food tray (can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian dishes).
- Gold coins.
- Paper-made items for the deceased such as clothes, horses, palaces...
Above is the complete and standardized script for the Vu Lan Ceremony 2023. You can save and use it on the upcoming fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month.
