According to Buddhist teachings, the ritual of offering on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, also known as the Ghost Festival or the Hungry Ghost Festival, is a day to absolve the sins of wandering souls and pay filial piety to ancestors. It is understood as one of the days for children to express gratitude to their ancestors.
What is the best time to offer rituals on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month?
1. Which day is auspicious for performing the ritual on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month?
Performing the ritual on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month is considered a longstanding cultural tradition among the Vietnamese people. Therefore, families are busy preparing offerings to Buddha, ancestors, deities, and sentient beings when the 15th day of the 7th lunar month arrives.
According to tradition, people can perform offerings for the wandering souls on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month from the 10th day of the 7th lunar month until midnight on the 14th day of the 7th lunar month. However, if busy, people can perform offerings on the actual fifteenth day of the 7th lunar month.
2. Should the ritual on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month be performed in the morning, afternoon, or evening?
According to ancient beliefs, the souls of the deceased residing in hell are accustomed to dim light. If offerings are made during the daytime, these souls may not respond well. Therefore, it is advisable to make offerings to sentient beings in the evening. Offerings to ancestors and deities can be made during the day, preferably around noon for better reception. It's even better to make offerings during the afternoon for greater auspiciousness.
3. What is the auspicious time for performing the ritual on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month?
As analyzed earlier, offerings to sentient beings should be made between 6 PM and 7 PM. For ancestral and deity offerings, it is recommended to make them between 11 AM and 12 PM to ensure better reception by ancestors. Subsequently, it is to invite prosperity to descendants.
Note: All rituals should be performed before midnight on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.
According to Vietnamese customs and beliefs, reciting the ritual prayer on the fifteenth day of the lunar month is a way to convey your wishes and reverence to your ancestors. Therefore, the ritual prayer is considered essential on the monthly full moon ceremony.
So, to adhere to the proper ceremonial practices, should we offer prayers on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month in the morning, afternoon, or evening? According to current beliefs, the ritual should be conducted in the late afternoon or evening. Daytime is avoided due to the strong sunlight, which may weaken the spirits when they are released from their realm.
In addition to understanding the timing of the ritual on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, it's important for families to prepare a detailed ritual prayer. If any family lacks a template for the ritual prayer, they can refer to the Free Download system and download one.
Furthermore, an article guiding the preparation of offerings on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month is also a useful resource for families. Through the article guiding ritual offerings on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, families can ensure meticulous preparation for the festival.
