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Every year, during the lunar seventh month, the King of Hell opens the gates of the underworld, allowing wandering spirits to return to the mortal world. Therefore, the tradition of ancestor worship has developed and persisted until today, with every Vietnamese family conducting the ritual when the 15th day of the seventh lunar month arrives. The purpose is to prevent the spirits from disturbing daily life and business affairs, as well as to pray for blessings to come to the family.
The ritual for the deceased in the seventh lunar month should be performed between 6 - 7 p.m. on the 15th day of the lunar month.
1. Where to conduct the soul ceremony in the 7th lunar month?
As wandering spirits released by the King of Hell wander the streets and alleys, unable to enter households protected by the household deity, conducting the ancestor worship ritual in the 7th lunar month outdoors, in the yard, or at the entrance, allows the spirits to receive the offerings presented by the family.
2. Considerations for ancestor worship in the 7th lunar month
The ritual of ancestor worship in the 7th lunar month holds significant humanitarian values, emphasizing the expression of gratitude and respect towards ancestors and deities. When performing ancestor worship on the 7th lunar month, you should pay attention to the following:
* Optimal timing for worship: 6 - 7 p.m.
Many families set up two altars for ancestor worship and spirit worship. This soul offering tray will be placed in the front yard or on the sidewalk. According to tradition, the ritual is conducted between 6 - 7 p.m. on the 15th day of the lunar month, avoiding morning and afternoon sessions due to the weakening effect of sunlight on the spirits, while evening worship ensures the gates of the underworld are closed.
* Avoid salty offerings
Offering salty dishes during spirit worship may arouse greed, discord, and other negative emotions. Therefore, it's advisable for everyone to conduct a vegetarian ritual during ancestor worship. Moreover, during worship, the altar should be positioned in front of the house.
What does the worship ceremony on the 7th lunar month include?
The soul offering tray consists of the following offerings:
- Colorful clothes for the spirits
- Plate of rice mixed with salt
- Cup of white water or white wine
- Popcorn
- Various cakes and candies
- Thin porridge
- Gold coins
- Corn, boiled sweet potatoes
When scattering gold coins on the offering tray, they should be placed in all 4 directions, each direction with 3, 5, or 7 incense sticks.
After concluding the ceremony, scatter rice and shoo away mosquitoes in the yard before proceeding to burn joss paper.
In many places, the custom of 'stealing' offerings for the wandering souls still persists. If you haven't made offerings yet and there's a scramble for them, it's advisable to release them. According to many, if there's a frenzy for offerings before the ritual without proper dedication, it's considered a good omen.
* Burning Joss Paper
For families living in apartment buildings, it's feasible to bring joss paper and burn it in the building's courtyard incinerator to mitigate the risk of fire hazards.
With the insights shared here, you now know where to conduct the soul ceremony on the 7th lunar month and what to consider. Depending on the specific ritual, whether it's for Buddha, ancestors, or wandering souls, you should prepare appropriate joss paper and offerings for the occasion.
