[Ritual Set] The most comprehensive and accurate prayer script for Ong Cong Ong Tao in 2024

In the ceremony dedicated to Ong Cong, Ong Tao, the prayer script is indispensable. After preparing the altar and offerings, it is time for the head of the household to begin reciting the prayer script to express respect and make offerings to Ong Cong, Ong Tao, presenting auspicious wishes to the Jade Emperor.

1. The most accurate prayer script for Ong Cong Ong Tao on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month

Below is the ritual for Ong Cong Ong Tao according to the traditional Vietnamese prayer script - Cultural Information Publishing House, readers can refer to.

Hail to the Buddha Amitabha!

Hail to the Buddha Amitabha!

Hail to the Buddha Amitabha!

I humbly bow to the nine directions of Heaven, the ten directions of Buddhas, and the Buddhas of the ten directions.

We respectfully bow to the Eastern Palace Guardian, the Divine General.

We, the faithful followers, residing at...

Today, on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, we, the faithful followers, earnestly prepare floral offerings, don ceremonial attire, and respectfully present offerings to the deities. Lighting the sacred incense, we devoutly pay homage.

We respectfully invite the Eastern Palace Guardian, the Divine General, to manifest and partake in the ritual offerings.

We humbly beseech the divine to forgive any transgressions committed by our household in the past year. May the divine bestow blessings and protection upon our entire household, young and old, granting abundant health, prosperity, and all-around goodness.

We sincerely offer our respects and earnestly pray, hoping for divine protection and guidance.

Hail to the Buddha Amitabha! 

Hail to the Buddha Amitabha!

Hail to the Buddha Amitabha!

2. Offering to Ong Cong Ong Tao tradition passed down through generations in folk culture

Apart from the published prayer scripts, there are offerings passed down through generations in folk culture since ancient times and transmitted by ancestors to this day.

You can refer to the following two prayer scripts recommended by cultural researchers:

We respectfully bow to the Most High.

We respectfully bow to the Five Emperors: the Eastern Azure Emperor, the Southern Scarlet Emperor, the Western White Emperor, the Northern Black Emperor, and the Central Yellow Emperor.

We respectfully bow to the celestial generals, heavenly marshals.

We respectfully bow to the celestial generals, heavenly soldiers.

We respectfully bow to the celestial generals, heavenly horses.

We respectfully bow to the mountain deities, dragon deities, earth spirits, earth workers, and earth's guardians, who oversee and safeguard.

Today is the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month... It is the day when the Kitchen God ascends to the heavens to report.

I, the faithful follower named..., born on the... day of... month..., year..., native of..., residing at...

With sincere reverence, I offer a small tribute, lighting incense to respectfully invite the Most High, the Five Emperors, the celestial generals, heavenly marshals, heavenly soldiers, heavenly horses, and all celestial and earthly deities to witness as I bid farewell to the Kitchen God and send him back to the heavens.

I respectfully bow to the Earth deities, earth spirits, earth workers, earth's guardians, who have bestowed blessings upon us in the past year, granting us strength, happiness, and all manner of good fortune.

Today, with heartfelt reverence, I perform this ritual to bid farewell to you as you return to the heavens. I beseech the Most High, the Five Emperors, and all celestial beings to bless and protect my country, my homeland, my ancestors, and my family, granting them strength, happiness, prosperity, and security.

I implore the Most High, the Five Emperors, the celestial beings, and all witnesses to acknowledge the sincerity of my heart.

Best wishes to the Most High, the Five Emperors, and all celestial beings!

3. Ritual for Welcoming the Kitchen God on the 30th Day of Tet

This ritual for welcoming the Kitchen God is performed on New Year's Eve to welcome him back after his visit to report to the Jade Emperor:

I respectfully bow to the nine directions of the heavens, the ten directions of Buddhas, and the Buddhas of the ten directions.

I respectfully bow to the Future Buddha, Maitreya.

I respectfully bow to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, the compassionate savior of all beings in distress.

I respectfully bow to the Celestial Lords, the Earth Protectors, and all revered deities.

I respectfully bow to the former celestial governing officials: Governor Trinh, the celestial governor, and General Thach Tinh, the divine warrior.

I respectfully bow to the current celestial governing official: Liễu Tào, the celestial judge.

I respectfully bow to the Five Directions, the Five Tigers, the Dragon Veins, the Kitchen God, and all revered deities.

Now, at the moment of New Year's Eve of the year ..., we are..., born in the year..., currently residing in…

As the sacred moment of New Year's Eve arrives, bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, with the sun and moon shining brightly, and myriad auspicious signs appearing. Now, the Kitchen God and celestial deities above obey the commands of the Divine to oversee all beings, protecting them from malevolent forces. The outgoing officials return to the court to preserve blessings and grace, while the incoming officials bring virtues and filial piety, bestowing wealth and prosperity.

On the occasion of the New Year, we devoutly prepare floral offerings, arrange ceremonial items, and present them solemnly. We offer to the Sacred Buddha, dedicate to the Deities, and burn incense with heartfelt reverence.

We respectfully invite: the outgoing officials, the incoming officials, the venerable Kitchen God, the Sovereign of the Imperial Citadel, the local Earth deities, the benevolent spirits, the Guardians of the Five Directions, the Guardians of the Five Elements, the Dragon Veins Deity, the household Kitchen God, and all divine beings overseeing this realm, requesting their presence to accept our offerings.

We pray for our devotees: may the New Year bring prosperity, peace, and familial harmony, enduring through all seasons.

We humbly offer our sacrifices, earnestly praying. We bow to the Nine Skies, the Ten Directions, the Buddhas, and all revered deities, seeking their divine protection and blessings.

Hail to Amitabha Buddha!
Hail to Amitabha Buddha!
Hail to Amitabha Buddha!

4. Tips for Reciting the Incantation of Ong Cong Ong Tao

Who should recite the incantation of Ong Cong Ong Tao?

- The person best suited to recite the incantation should be the head of the household, whether husband or wife. The key is to express the homeowner's reverence for the deities. Additionally, other family members can participate in the ritual.

- First, express gratitude to the deities for blessing the family with health, peace, and happiness throughout the past year. Then, ask the deities to forgive any mistakes made.

What should you pay attention to when reciting the Ong Cong Ong Tao ritual?

- When reciting the incantation for Ong Cong Ong Tao, you need to be clean, dress modestly and respectfully to show respect for the deities. Avoid wearing shorts, tank tops, or short skirts.

- Recite the incantation with seriousness, sincerity, loud and clear, otherwise it may be considered disrespectful and lead to unfortunate events.

- Avoid asking for wealth or prosperity during the recitation, only request blessings for the upcoming year.

- Additionally, preparing the offering table with food, fruits, wine, tea, etc., is equally important in the ritual to bid farewell to Ong Cong Ong Tao.

The ritual of Ong Cong Ong Tao on the 23rd of the Lunar December is a traditional cultural practice of the Vietnamese people during Tet holiday. Therefore, every time performing the ritual, homeowners always meticulously prepare the offerings and the incantation for Ong Cong Ong Tao to send him back to the heavens.