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Tet Trung Nguyen has long been ingrained as a beautiful tradition of our nation. It not only embodies religious splendor but also holds profound humanistic values for the spiritual well-being of the Vietnamese people.
1. When is Tet Trung Nguyen?
Tet Trung Nguyen takes place on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month. It also marks the observance of the Ceremony of Releasing Caged Creatures and the Vu Lan Bao Hieu Festival.
The inception of Tet Trung Nguyen stems from the Vu Lan Bon Festival. According to Buddhist teachings, there was once a young boy named Mulian who exhibited exceptional obedience and filial piety. However, his mother, Lady Thanh De, was notorious for her greed and cruelty.
Lady Thanh De lived extravagantly, often preparing copious amounts of food only to waste them carelessly. On every occasion, Mulian would collect the scattered rice grains, clean them meticulously, and consume them to prevent wastage.
After a long period of wandering, Mục Kiều Liên's mother passed away. Subsequently, Mục Kiều Liên decided to become a monk and devote himself to Buddhism. Feeling that he had cultivated himself sufficiently, he embarked on a journey to find his mother's soul everywhere. After months of wandering, he finally found his mother in the depths of hell.
(The Mid-Autumn Festival is associated with the legend of Mục Kiền Liên saving his mother)
Thanh Đề is no longer what it used to be. Before Mục Kiền Liên's eyes now was a figure of poverty, hunger, with thin limbs and only skin covering bones. Mục Kiền Liên felt sorry and offered his mother a bowl of rice. However, every time the rice was about to enter her mouth, it turned into red flames. Seeing this unbearable sight, Mục Kiền Liên sought the help of the Buddha.
Following the Buddha's instructions, Mục Kiền Liên saved his mother. From then on, anyone who wants to show filial piety to their parents follows the way of Mục Kiền Liên. That is the reason why the festival of Vu Lan came into being.
2. The significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival in human life
For the Vietnamese people, the Mid-Autumn Festival holds deep humanitarian significance.
Firstly, the Mid-Autumn Festival nurtures the spiritual life of Buddhist followers, reinforcing faith and directing people towards more positive values. Observing vegetarianism and releasing animals not only demonstrate compassion towards all beings but also accumulate merit for oneself and one's family.
(The Mid-Autumn Festival guides people towards goodness)
Secondly, the Mid-Autumn Festival is an occasion for people to express gratitude to their ancestors. During these days, descendants in families make efforts to return home, enjoying warm moments with family and relatives.
Thirdly, besides gathering with family, people actively visit temples to pray for the health of their parents and listen to sermons to better understand filial piety.
Fourthly, this is also the Day of Repentance for Lost Souls, so people express their compassion towards wandering and suffering souls, who have no place to rely on.
3. How to Offer Mid-Autumn Festival Offerings
Presentation of Offering Tray
The Mid-Autumn Festival is essentially the Vu Lan Festival, so the offering rituals are no different. Moreover, many families also combine offering with the Repentance Day for Lost Souls.
Offering to the Buddha: Usually vegetarian dishes or a tray of five fruits. During the offering, it's advisable to recite the Vu Lan Sutra to express one's reverence towards ancestors and the Buddha.
Ancestral Offering: The offering tray typically includes a whole rooster, sticky rice cakes, and various other delicacies. Alcohol, tea, fruits, and a vase of fresh flowers are indispensable.
(These offering trays are essential on this day)
Offering to Sentient Beings: Typically vegetarian dishes such as fruits, roasted corn, fried glutinous rice, salted rice, thin rice gruel, etc.
Tips for Offering During the Mid-Autumn Festival
Offering rituals should be conducted during the daytime, avoiding nighttime as it's when the gates of hell are closed, and wandering souls won't return in time for salvation.
It's best to prepare vegetarian offerings as salty offerings may make wandering souls thirsty and cling to the household.
It's advisable to offer to sentient beings before offering to ancestors so that wandering souls won't consume the ancestral food.
Clearly, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a tradition worthy of honor and preservation. Though it only occurs once a year, mentioning the Mid-Autumn Festival evokes indescribable emotions of compassion and gratitude towards one's ancestors.
Further Reading: Three comprehensive mid-seventh month offering essays
