Buzz
The offering tray for the 7th lunar month typically includes rituals for Buddha, ancestral spirits, and sentient beings. Please refer to the following article for detailed instructions on preparing the offering tray for the 7th lunar month.
1. Offering Tray for the 7th Lunar Month – Offering to Buddha
Offering Tray for the 7th Lunar Month – Offering to Buddha
Vegetarian dishes for offering to Buddha during the 7th lunar month are essential for Buddhist families with altars dedicated to Buddha. Homeowners can consider the following vegetarian dishes for the best preparation of the offering tray for the 7th lunar month.
Suggested offerings for the Buddha tray:
- A Variety of Vegetarian Delicacies
Vegetarian Feast in Honor of Buddha on the 7th Lunar Month
If unable to prepare vegetarian dishes, families can simply present a fruit tray with sincere hearts.
Offerings for Buddhist Worship Include:
- Fresh flowers (lotus, lily, peony, chrysanthemum, etc.)
- Incense
- Wine
- Water
- Paper clothes
2. Offering Tray for the 7th Lunar Month – Honoring Deities and Ancestors
The ancestral worship altar on the 7th lunar month typically consists of savory dishes (which can also be vegetarian). There are no set rules for the ancestral worship dishes; they depend on the family's circumstances and preferences. Families may prepare dishes based on the preferences of their ancestors during their lifetime or based on regional characteristics and seasonal availability.
Basic Ancestral Worship Tray Includes:
- Chicken
- Bone broth or vegetable soup
- Spring rolls, sausage, and Vietnamese meatloaf
- Boiled vegetables (such as cabbage, carrots, turnips, etc.)
- Sticky rice
- Sweet dessert
Savory Ancestral Worship Tray on the 7th Lunar Month
Offerings for Ancestral Worship Include:
- Fresh flowers
- Fruits
- Water
- Rice wine
- Incense
- Candles
- Gold ingots
- Paper clothes, shoes, etc.
4. Ancestral Worship Tray on the 7th Lunar Month – Tray for Lost Souls (Spirits of the Dead)
The ancestral worship tray for lost souls demonstrates the compassion of the living towards wandering souls, those without refuge, and without anyone to offer them worship. The ritual for spirits of the dead should be placed outside the courtyard, in front of the house entrance, and conducted before 12:00 PM on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.
The ancestral worship tray for lost souls usually consists of vegetarian dishes including:
- Rice salt (used to sprinkle in all four directions).
- 12 small bowls of thin rice porridge.
- 5 types of fruits.
- Clothes for the spirits of the dead (various colors).
- Various roasted grains, cakes, and sweets.
- Gold coins.
- Water.
- 3 incense sticks and 2 small candles.
The offering table for wandering spirits is usually vegetarian.
4. Some notes when performing the ritual of offering on the 7th lunar month
- Perform offerings to Buddha, deities, and ancestors first, then the offerings to wandering spirits should be done last.
- Offerings to wandering spirits should not be done indoors but outdoors, in the yard, in front of the house.
- The Buddha's offering table is placed in a high position, followed by the table for deities, and finally the ancestors'.
- On the 7th lunar month, there are many wandering spirits, so the offerings such as golden clothes for ancestors should clearly indicate the recipients.
5. Invocation to the spirits on the 7th lunar month
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Respectfully:
- The Venerable Earth Store Bodhisattva
- The Venerable Muc Kien Lien Ton Gia
Today is the 7th day of the 7th lunar month in the year of Quy Mao, 2023
I, the devotee, am... ............... ............ ......... ......... ......... ........... ......
Residing at: ......... ............ ............... ............ ......... ......... ......... ........ ........
With sincere devotion, we arrange flowers, offerings, and all items for worship to present before the altar.
We earnestly invite:
The Venerable Earth Store Bodhisattva; The Venerable Muc Kien Lien Ton Gia.
May the Sagely Year Ruler uphold virtue and honor; The Sovereign Great Kings protect our abode; The Land Spirits safeguard our land; The Kitchen Gods watch over our household, along with all the important deities in this area.
We humbly beseech Your Honorable Presence to preside over this court, scrutinize the evidence. Today, on the occasion of the Ullambana festival, the day of reprieve for wandering souls, we express gratitude to the Triple Gem, seeking divine protection from Buddhas, celestial beings, and benefactors, unsure how to repay such immense merit. Thus, we offer silver tributes, expressing sincere prayers for acceptance. May divine grace sustain us and our families, ensuring everyone's well-being, young and old, leading towards the right path. May prosperity and auspiciousness prevail, fostering the spread of the teachings.
With heartfelt sincerity, we humbly request testimony.
A word of caution.
6. Ancestral Offering Invocation for the 7th Lunar Month
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
We pay respects to our ancestors, both near and far, and all divine beings!
Today marks the 7th month of the year, in the year of Quy Mao, 2023.
As we observe the Vu Lan Festival during the Middle of the Ghost Month, we fondly remember our ancestors, parents, and grandparents, who have given us life, established our family's legacy, and nurtured our virtues. Therefore, we believe in the boundless merits of filial piety, knowing that kindness and gratitude to our forebears are virtues that cannot be repaid. We respectfully prepare offerings, including fragrant flowers and ceremonial items, to present before the spiritual assembly. With sincere reverence, we invite:
Our esteemed ancestors, the venerable Cao Tang ancestors, elder siblings, maternal relatives, and all ancestral spirits within and beyond our family...
We humbly beseech compassion for our descendants, invoking the sacred presence to witness our sincere hearts, accept our offerings, and bless our descendants with health, peace, prosperity, and the pursuit of righteousness.
Once again, we extend invitations to the ethereal herbalist spirits, subtly existing within this land. In observance of the Vu Lan Festival, we invite the spiritual assembly to partake in venerating deities, enjoying offerings, and granting peace and security to all believers.
With earnest hearts, we humbly seek confirmation and blessings.
Attention.
Hope this article will provide you with additional information to refer to on how to prepare a full and proper feast for the 7th month's ancestral worship. If you find the information useful, don't forget to share it with your family and friends.
