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Following the Vietnamese tradition, no matter where one goes or what one does, on Clear Souls Day, everyone endeavors to visit ancestral graves to show respect to their forebears. Alongside preparing the ceremonial feast, reciting prayers is an indispensable ritual. Here is the most accurate prayer for Clear Souls Day 2024 at home and by the graveside.
1. When is Clear Souls Day 2024?
In 2024, Clear Souls Day falls on Thursday, April 4th, 2024 in the Gregorian calendar (which is the 15th of February, 2024 in the lunar calendar).
Clear Souls Day comes 45 days after the Lunar New Year. According to folk beliefs, this is the day to cut grass and add soil to the graves, commonly known as grave tending. During this time, as the seasons transition, plants thrive, so it is necessary to trim and add soil to the ancestral graves.
2. Offering Prayers for Clear Souls Day at Home
The homeowner solemnly refines the attire, stands before the altar, lights incense, burns a candle, then offers prayers:
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
I bow to the nine directions of the sky, the ten directions of Buddhas, and the Buddhas in the ten directions.
I bow to the ancestral spirits, the forefathers, relatives on both sides of the family...
I bow to the powerful ancestral spirits, grandparents, Little Red Riding Hood, Little Red Riding Hood at home
Today is the day... month... year...
Today, I, at the age of..., born in the village of..., district of..., province of..., along with the entire family, bow my head in reverence before the ancestral altar.
Inviting the Earth God and Kitchen Gods to witness and bless.
Presenting offerings: betel and areca, tea, incense, fruits, and heartfelt items on the occasion of Clear Souls Day. Inviting the spirits of ancestors, deities, grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters as witnesses and recipients of the ceremony.
With sincere respect, I bow to the ancestral spirits, powerful grandparents, grandparents... requesting their protection, support, arrangement, and blessings for the well-being, prosperity, coolness in the three summer months and warmth in the nine winter months for my entire family. May goodness come in, and may negativity leave, bringing luck to all aspects of my family's life.
We respectfully present our heartfelt offerings, bowing to the ancestral spirits as witnesses and attestors of the sincere sentiments of the entire family.
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
After completing the ritual, the homeowner bows three times, waits for the incense to burn out, then lowers the ceremonial table to invite prosperity.
3. Clear Souls Day Prayer beyond the Grave
I beseech the celestial realms, the ten directions of Buddhas, and the Buddhas in the ten directions
I humbly pay homage to the spirit... (ancestor's name or ancestral lineage.....)
Today marks the date...
On this auspicious occasion...
Our devoted follower is... residing in...
We and our entire family, in gratitude for boundless merits and profound virtue, establishing the legacy of..., with heavy hearts think of the departed in remote places. Our devoted follower sincerely procures offerings - betel leaves, areca nuts, fragrant flowers, incense, and kindles a ceremonial lamp, respectfully presenting them before the grave. We invite the spirits... to graciously accept our offerings.
We seek permission to enhance the grave, fortify and extend the land, renovate the memorial path behind for added stability. With the protection of the Holy Buddha, the alignment of heaven and earth shielding, invoking the divine spirits' blessings, may there be peace and harmonious energies. We, the descendants, earnestly vow to accumulate virtues, offer assistance, help orphans and the needy, rescue those in distress, practice filial piety, and direct these merits towards our ancestors.
We bow in reverence, seeking the testimony of the sacred, receiving the offerings, beseeching the protection and support for our descendants, inspecting and repelling calamities, bestowing prosperity, ushering in auspiciousness, bringing goodness, dispelling negativity, ensuring the prosperity of the family, and the offspring enjoying heavenly blessings, both young and old blessed by the Holy Buddha.
We offer our sincere homage, bowing to witness.
Note: After completing the prayers, wait for two-thirds of the incense period, then go on a pilgrimage to offer gratitude in various places, transform offerings into gold, seek fortune, and return home to conduct family rituals for household deities and ancestors.
4. Clear Souls Day Prayer at the Grave Site
I bow to the nine skies, the ten directions of Buddhas, and the Buddhas in the ten directions.
I respectfully offer incense to the spirit (read the name beneath the tomb).
Today is the day (read the lunar date), on the occasion of Clear Souls Day, our devoted believer resides in...
We and all members of the family, grateful for the profound merits of..., with heavy hearts think of the departed in remote places. Our devoted believer sincerely procures offerings - betel leaves, areca nuts, fragrant flowers, incense, and kindles a ceremonial lamp, respectfully presenting them before the grave. We invite the spirits... to graciously accept our offerings.
Above is the Clear Souls Day Prayer 2024 at home and at the gravesite, presented in the most accurate manner. We hope the information in this article will be helpful to you. If you find this article useful, don't forget to share it with your friends and family.
