Standard Offering on the 7th Lunar Month: Offering Tray, Invocation, Offering Method, and Offering Time

The 7th Lunar Month Offering is a traditional ritual in Buddhism. On the 7th day of the 7th lunar month every year, families often prepare offering trays to express gratitude to the Buddhas, ancestors, and pray for the salvation of all beings. Explore right away with Mytour Blog to learn how to make the 7th Lunar Month Offering in the most standard and complete way!

What day is the 7th Lunar Month? When is the 7th month of 2023?

The 7th Lunar Month in 2023 falls on Wednesday, August 30th, in the Gregorian calendar. Offering on the 7th Lunar Month has long been an important annual ritual for Buddhist families, but not everyone knows 'What day is the 7th Lunar Month?'

The tradition of the 7th Lunar Month originated from China during the late Eastern Han dynasty. A Daoist belief emerged that the Middle Origin Festival (lasting from the 1st to the 30th day of the 7th lunar month) is when the Ghost Gate of the King of Hell is opened. The 1st day marks the opening of the ghost gate - a time when spirits can leave the gate and roam freely in the mortal world. The 30th day is the closing day of the ghost gate - when spirits must return.

Hence, the 7th Lunar Month is also known as the 'Deliverance of Wandering Souls' day, 'Offering to Wandering Spirits,'... because during the period when the Ghost Gate is open, unjustly deceased spirits, without relatives to perform rituals, are allowed to ascend to the mortal realm to receive offerings and memorial services from the living. Offering on the 7th Lunar Month is an occasion where households often set up offering trays with various ritual objects to show reverence to the Buddhas, gratitude to ancestors, and to dedicate merits to the wandering souls. Additionally, in Vietnamese Buddhism, the 7th Lunar Month is celebrated as Vu Lan Day, a time for filial piety towards parents.

When is the auspicious day to offer on the 7th Lunar Month? 

Although the 7th Lunar Month falls on the 15th day of the lunar month every year. However, the ritual of offering on the 7th Lunar Month can take place from the 2nd day to before noon on the 15th day of the lunar month. The choice of the offering day depends on the conditions and schedules of each family. However, it is important to prioritize auspicious days/times for offerings such as the 2nd, 7th, 8th, 12th, 14th, and avoid inauspicious days/times such as the 3rd, 6th, 10th, 13th. Regardless of the chosen offering day, the most important thing is the sincerity and gratitude of the family towards the Heavens and Buddhas.

When is the best time for offering on the 7th Lunar Month for households? 

In addition to choosing auspicious offering days, the timing of the offering on the 7th Lunar Month is also crucial. Below are the auspicious dates and times for offering on the 7th Lunar Month that you should consider:

The most accurate ritual for offering on the 7th Lunar Month 

The ritual of offering on the 7th Lunar Month will include 3 main ceremonies that will take place sequentially, as follows:

• Offering ceremony to the Buddha: The offering ceremony to the Buddha usually takes place in the morning. After the offering table is fully prepared, the family will light three incense sticks, recite prayers, and then bow three times to express gratitude.
• Offering ceremony to ancestors: The family will light three sticks of incense and recite prayers inviting the ancestors to accept blessings, then bow three times. When the incense burns out, prayers will be recited to symbolically transform paper into gold, expressing gratitude to deceased relatives.
• Offering ceremony to spirits and sentient beings: Before offering, the family will light incense and bow three times, then recite prayers, followed by clasping hands and bowing three more times. When the incense burns out, rice and salt will be scattered in the yard and gold paper burned while reciting prayers.

Schedule for each ceremony during the offering on the 7th Lunar Month:

• Offering to the Buddha: Offer in the morning
• Offering to ancestors: Offer from 10 - 11 a.m.
• Offering to wandering souls: Offer from 5 - 7 p.m.

What does the offering table for the 7th Lunar Month include? 

According to folk tradition, the offering table for the 7th Lunar Month typically includes:

Offering Table for Buddha on the 7th Lunar Month

The offering table for Buddha on the 7th Lunar Month typically consists of a pure vegetarian feast with delicious vegetarian dishes or fruits, showing reverence to the Buddhas and avoiding involvement in the cycle of karma. Some offerings commonly found on the Buddha's offering table include:

Offering Table for Deities and Ancestors on the 7th Lunar Month

In the ancestral worship ceremony, the offering table will be prepared as usual, depending on the family's circumstances and preferences. The dishes on the table can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian, as long as the offering table is meticulously arranged, allowing the family to express gratitude and reverence to the deities and ancestors. Some offerings commonly found on the ancestral worship offering table on the 7th Lunar Month include:

• Food: Depending on the family's taste and situation. Here are some suggested dishes for the offering table: boiled chicken, sticky rice with beans, beef stew, square sticky rice cake, sausage, fruits, etc.
• Fresh flowers: Lotus flowers, peonies, lilies, etc. (Note: Avoid using wild or miscellaneous flowers)
• Offering liquid: Tea, purified water, or alcohol
• Incense, candles, and gold paper

Outdoor Ancestral Worship Offering Table on the 7th Lunar Month – Offering to Sentient Beings

An essential part of the 7th Lunar Month worship is the offering table for sentient beings (offering to wandering souls), dedicated to spirits without a resting place. This offering table helps the household accrue merit and direct it towards these wandering souls. Some offerings commonly found on the sentient beings offering table on the 7th Lunar Month include:

• Food: Thin rice porridge, cakes, roasted corn, sugarcane, sweet potatoes, boiled corn, sticky rice, etc.
• Offering liquid: Tea, purified water, or alcohol
• Offerings: Loose change
• Incense, candles, and gold paper

The Most Complete Prayer for the 7th Lunar Month in 2023

The prayer is an indispensable part of the 7th Lunar Month worship. Each prayer dedicated to different objects, times, and fields will have different contents. This content will help the household convey their earnest wishes to all corners of the world, to the Buddhas, and to the departed spirits. Therefore, the household should pay attention to choosing appropriate prayers and read them sincerely to show respect to the Buddhas and ancestors.

Prayer for Offering to Buddhas and Deities

Below is the traditional Vietnamese prayer used for offering to Buddhas and deities outdoors on the 7th Lunar Month worship day:

Namo Amitabha Buddha

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

(Bow 3 times)

I pay respects to the nine directions, the ten Buddhas, and the Buddhas of the ten directions.

I respectfully pay homage to Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, the Great Vow Keeper, and venerable Master Kuan Yin.

Today is the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month... (The homeowner adds the date when conducting the ritual here)

We, the faithful, are... (The homeowner adds their full name here)

Residing at... (The homeowner adds their home address here)

With sincere devotion, we arrange flowers, offerings, and other ceremonial items, placing them before the altar.

We devoutly pay homage to Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, the Great Vow Keeper, and venerable Master Kuan Yin.

We respectfully invite the auspicious Thái Tuế, the noble guardian of the year, the Great Kings of the Earth, the local deities, and the Kitchen Gods.

We sincerely beseech blessings from the divine realms, seeking prosperity, happiness, and protection for our household.

all the divine beings governing this region.

We humbly implore your divine presence to preside over this court, to scrutinize and bear witness. Today, on the occasion of Vu Lan Festival, the day of atonement for wandering souls, we seek forgiveness. Endowed with the Triple Gem's grace, protected by the heavenly Buddha, and sheltered by the divine guardians, we are indebted beyond measure. Therefore, we offer silver tributes, expressing our profound gratitude, and fervently praying for

your benevolence and protection.

May our sincere offerings convey our utmost respect and heartfelt gratitude.

bestow your blessings upon us and our entire family, ensuring health and well-being for all, prosperity in both youth and age, unwavering commitment to the right path, and abundant fortune and success in our endeavors.

May our sincere hearts be acknowledged. We humbly seek your divine testimony!

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

(Prayer repeated three times)

Prayer for Ancestral Worship on the Full Moon Day of the 7th Lunar Month

Below is the traditional Vietnamese prayer used for ancestral worship in the home on the Full Moon Day of the 7th Lunar Month:

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

(Bow 3 times)

– I bow to the nine directions of the sky, the ten directions of Buddhas, the ten

directions of Buddhas.

– We respectfully bow to our ancestors both within and outside the family, and to all ancestral spirits.

The believer we are… (The homeowner adds their name here)

Residing at… (The homeowner adds their home address here)

Today is the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month… (The homeowner adds the date of the ritual here), coinciding with the Ghost Festival during the Middle of the Year, we remember our ancestors, grandparents, parents who gave birth to us, establishing our fortunes, building our foundation of humanity, enabling us to enjoy blessings today. We feel thankful for the immeasurable merit, the boundless kindness, and the incalculable grace, thus the believer renovates offerings, incense, flowers, tea, fruits, gold, silver, lights the heart's incense, respectfully offers to the venerable ancestors.

Cao Tang Ancestors, Elder Siblings, Junior Siblings, Cousins, and all ancestral spirits within their family, outside their family... bowing, we humbly implore your compassion for us, the sacred spirits present, witnessing our heartfelt sincerity, accepting offerings, protecting us, ensuring our descendants' health, peace, prosperity, all-around goodness, and prosperous family life.

...within their family, outside their family... bowing, we humbly implore your compassion for us, the sacred spirits present, witnessing our heartfelt sincerity, accepting offerings, protecting us, ensuring our descendants' health, peace, prosperity, all-around goodness, and prosperous family life.

...within their family, outside their family... bowing, we humbly implore your compassion for us, the sacred spirits present, witnessing our heartfelt sincerity, accepting offerings, protecting us, ensuring our descendants' health, peace, prosperity, all-around goodness, and prosperous family life.

...within their family, outside their family... bowing, we humbly implore your compassion for us, the sacred spirits present, witnessing our heartfelt sincerity, accepting offerings, protecting us, ensuring our descendants' health, peace, prosperity, all-around goodness, and prosperous family life.

...directed towards righteousness.

We offer sincere homage, presenting our offerings, humbly seeking your benevolent protection.

Homage to Amitabha Buddha.

Homage to Amitabha Buddha.

Homage to Amitabha Buddha.

(Bow 3 times)

Prayer for all beings on the 7th lunar month Full Moon

Below is the traditional Vietnamese prayer used to pray for all beings, hoping for their early rebirth into the household on the 7th lunar month Full Moon day:

On the full moon day, sins of sentient beings are mitigated, offering and outdoor worship are conducted.

Homage to Amitabha Buddha.

Homage to Amitabha Buddha.

Homage to Amitabha Buddha.

(Bow three times)

I bow to the nine realms of heaven, the ten directions of Buddhas, and the Buddhas of the ten directions.

I bow to Amitabha Buddha.

I bow to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.

I bow to the Kitchen God, the divine army, and the guardian deities.

The seventh lunar month is approaching its end.

On the full moon day, sins of sentient beings are dispersed in the ocean of suffering.

The gates of hell are opened in the dark palace.

Lost souls with no home or shelter.

The Great Sage, the Teacher - A Nan Da Ton master.

Welcoming sentient beings with no graves or tombs in all directions.

A tree stump at the market's entrance.

With nowhere to seek refuge, wandering day and night.

Year-round enduring hunger and cold.

Without sturdy clothing - shielding against the elements.

Wandering souls in the north, south, east, and west.

Young and old, boys and girls gather here in unity.

Even though: dying in vain, dying unjustly.

Dying due to addiction, dying for greed.

Dying from accidents, dying from illness.

Dying from stabbing, dying from slashing, dying from battle.

Dying from bombs, dying from bullets.

Dying from rabid dogs, drowning, dying from reproductive instincts.

Dying from lightning striking from the sky.

Today, listening to the devotee's invitation,

I humbly receive all offerings, past and present,

Rice soup and betel nuts,

Gold coins, clothing in various colors of red and green.

Rice, salt, fruits, truly blossoming

Carrying a bit for tomorrow's needs,

Protecting the devotee, bringing prosperity,

Safe and prosperous, harmonious within the family.

Remembering the day of forgiveness and compassion

Returning to the core of faith with heartfelt invitation

Now having received the enjoyment, it's time

Guiding each other, old and young, to the realm of afterlife

Devotion transforms precious metals

Alongside garments already distributed

Respectfully addressing the Divine

Evidencing acts of righteousness

For the faithful disciple, offspring

Name:………… (Homeowners add their First and Last Name here)

Spouse:……………… (Homeowners add their spouse's First and Last Name here)

Son/Daughter:………… (Homeowners add their son/daughter's First and Last Name here)

Daughter:…………… (Homeowners add their son's First and Last Name here)

Resides at:………… (Homeowners add their home address here)

Offering ritual to the Wealth Deity at offices, companies, stores on the 7th lunar month's Full Moon Day

Below is the traditional Vietnamese ritual text used to offer prayers to the Wealth Deity on the Full Moon Day of the 7th lunar month at offices, stores, companies:

Homage to the Enlightened One, Amitabha Buddha

Homage to the Enlightened One, Amitabha Buddha

Homage to the Enlightened One, Amitabha Buddha

(Bowing thrice)

I bow to the nine directions of the Sky, ten directions of the Buddhas, Buddhas of the ten directions.

I respectfully bow to the Heavenly Emperor, Earth Deity, and all Divine beings.

I humbly bow to the Eastern Pole, presiding deity of the Four Houses and God of the Stars.

I respectfully bow to the Wealth God, the precursor.

I respectfully bow to the celestial spirits, the Earth deities governing this land.

This disciple's faith is……………………………………………………………

Residing at……………………………………………………………………

Today is the………… day of………… month,………… year………………………

I, as the homeowner, sincerely arrange offerings, including flowers, incense, ceremonial items, precious metals, fruits, and various offerings, laid out before the altar to respectfully invite the Wealth Deity. We bow, praying for the compassion of the Wealth Deity, to descend upon us, witness our sincerity, and accept the offerings, ensuring the security and prosperity of our family, bringing forth all goodness, prosperity in family life, advancement in wealth, expanding spiritual horizons, fulfilling all desires, and aligning our hearts in unity.

We sincerely offer our heartfelt prayers, bowing before the altar, seeking divine protection and blessings.

Homage to the Enlightened One, Amitabha Buddha

Homage to the Enlightened One, Amitabha Buddha

Homage to the Enlightened One, Amitabha Buddha

(Bowing thrice)

Ritual prayer for all beings at offices, companies, stores on the 7th lunar month's Full Moon Day

Here is a brief traditional Vietnamese ritual text used for offering prayers to all beings on the Full Moon Day of the 7th lunar month at offices, stores, companies:

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

(Bowing thrice)

Respectfully bowing to the Venerable Earth Store Bodhisattva

Respectfully bowing to the Venerable Maitreya Buddha

Respectfully bowing to His Majesty the Earth Dragon King

Respectfully bowing to the indigenous spirits of this land

Respectfully bowing to the Guardian Spirits and all the deities governing this land.

Today is the Full Moon Day of the 7th month, year…………………………….

This disciple's faith is………………………………………………………….

Residing at……………………………………………………………….

With sincere hearts, we implore on the day of forgiveness, opening the gates of the underworld to allow wandering souls, homeless and shelterless, without grave or tomb, hiding in trees, bushes, market corners, street ends, clothless and thin, wandering day and night, hungry and cold throughout the year, regardless of the cause of death, all are welcomed here to receive offerings from the faithful, including rice soup, porridge, betel leaves, salt, fruits, flower offerings, gold, and clothes of various colors. Protecting the faithful and their entire families, ensuring everyone's health and well-being, advancing wealth and prosperity, bringing forth familial happiness, ushering in blessings and warding off misfortune.

Beware! 

(Bowing thrice)

What to offer and what to avoid offering on the 7th lunar month's Full Moon Day?

On the 7th lunar month's Full Moon Day, there are some notes regarding offerings and abstaining from offerings as follows:

• Offer: Fresh flowers, tea, fruits, sticky rice, incense, vegetarian dishes...
• Avoid: Cat, dog, snake meat, fermented fish, garlic...

Some notes on offering on the 7th lunar month's Full Moon Day

To ensure a smooth and respectful offering ceremony on the 7th lunar month's Full Moon Day, demonstrating gratitude to the Heavens, Buddhas, and ancestors, homeowners should take note of the following:

• On the 7th lunar month's Full Moon Day, before offering at home, homeowners should visit the pagoda to offer to Vu Lan.
• Perform the offering ceremony at home in the following order: offer to the Buddha first, then offer to the spirits, ancestors, and finally offer to all beings.
• The offering table for all beings on the Full Moon Day of the 7th lunar month should be placed in front of the yard or outside the gate, avoiding placement inside the house.

We hope this article has provided useful information about offering on the 7th lunar month's Full Moon Day for you and your family. Don't forget to visit Mytour - the leading reputable e-commerce platform for great deals and discounts.