Complete and most accurate prayers for the Mid-Autumn Festival (15th day of the 7th lunar month) both indoors and outdoors.

The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is one of the most important holidays in Vietnam, not only carrying deep spiritual significance but also reflecting the principle of “drinking water, remembering the source” and filial piety towards ancestors Grandparents and ancestors. This is an occasion when many families prepare three main offerings: one for Buddha, one for ancestors, and one for wandering souls, hoping for peace, good fortune, and to express their sincerity in their religious life. This article compiles a complete and traditional prayer for the 15th day of the 7th lunar month system for each ritual. Check out the article for suitable prayers for each part of the ceremony on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.

Prayer for the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, offering sacrifices to Buddha and household deities.

When performing the Mid-Autumn Festival (15th day of the 7th lunar month) at home, the homeowner can prepare a pure offering tray, offer incense, and recite prayers to express their reverence to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and deities who govern the household. Below is a sample prayer for the 7th lunar month’s full moon offering to Buddha and deities at home, for your reference:

Namo Amitabha Buddha (3 times)

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

I respectfully bow to the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha and the Venerable Maudgalyayana.

Today is the full moon of the seventh lunar month of the year Bính Ngọ 2026.

We, your humble devotees, are…

Residing at…

With sincere hearts, they prepare incense, flowers, offerings, and other items for worship, and place them before the altar.

We respectfully invite the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha and the Venerable Maudgalyayana.

We respectfully invite you, Mr. Ki.To the Venerable Deity of the Year, the Local Guardian Deity, the Local Earth God, the Household Kitchen God, and all other deities governing this area.

We humbly request that you descend and be seated, to examine and bear witness to our judgment.

Today is the Vu Lan Festival, the day when the deceased are forgiven. We are grateful to the Triple Gem, the Buddha and the heavens for their protection, and the divine beings for their guidance; we do not know how to repay such immense kindness.

Therefore, we respectfully offer this silver offering, expressing our sincere devotion, and humbly pray for its acceptance. May you bless and protect us and our entire family, granting us good health, peace for young and old, unwavering devotion to the righteous path, prosperity in wealth, and a flourishing family life.

With sincere hearts, we humbly ask for your witness!

Namo Amitabha Buddha (3 times).

Prayer to ancestors on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month at home.

The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is an occasion for descendants to remember their grandparents and ancestors and express gratitude to those who have passed away. When offering sacrifices to ancestors at home, the homeowner prepares elaborate offerings, lights incense, and recites prayers with reverence.

Prayer to the ancestors on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.

After offering prayers to Buddha and the deities, the homeowner can perform ancestral worship at the family altar. This ritual expresses gratitude, remembrance of grandparents and ancestors, and a prayer for the family’s peace and harmony. Below is a sample prayer for ancestors on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month for your reference:

Namo Amitabha Buddha (3 times).

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

I respectfully bow before my ancestors, both paternal and maternal, and all departed spirits.

We, your humble devotees, are…

Residing at…

Today is the 15th day of the 7th lunar month of the year Bính Ngọ 2026.As we celebrate the Vu Lan Festival during the Mid-Autumn Festival, we remember our ancestors, grandparents, and parents who gave birth to us, built our family’s foundation, and instilled in us virtue, allowing us to enjoy their blessings today.

We are deeply moved by the immeasurable kindness and boundless generosity of our ancestors, and therefore, we, your devout followers, have prepared offerings of incense, flowers, tea, fruits, gold, silver, and other precious items, lighting incense sticks with heartfelt devotion, respectfully paying homage to our great-grandparents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, and all the departed souls of our family, both paternal and maternal…

We humbly beseech you, O spirits, to have mercy on your descendants, to manifest yourselves, to witness our sincerity, to accept our offerings, and to bless our children and grandchildren with health and peace, prosperity and good fortune, success in all endeavors, a flourishing family, and guidance towards righteousness.

With humble hearts and sincere devotion, we bow before the altar and humbly ask for your blessings and protection.

Namo Amitabha Buddha (3 times).

Prayer for burning ancestral clothes on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.

After completing the ancestral worship ceremony on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, the homeowner can perform the ritual of burning the paper offerings, clothes, and other prepared offerings. While burning them, the homeowner recites a prayer to express their sincerity and ask their ancestors and spirits to partake in the offerings. Below is a sample prayer:

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

Respectfully bowing:

Heavenly Emperor, Earth Goddess, and all Venerable Deities

Divine Warrior Lin’s messenger.

Today is:……………

Your humble servant is:……………

Residing at house number:……………

Today, on this auspicious occasion (the date can be changed) of…………… separated by the realms of Yin and Yang, the days and months pass by in vain. Our descendants’ hearts ache with longing, and we have prepared clothes, utensils, and other comforts as they were in life, but we humbly follow the path of the afterlife to repay the profound kindness and show our filial piety. We respectfully offer these to the spirits of our ancestors:

1. Deceased:…………….

Burial site:……………

The votive offerings include……………

2. Deceased:……………

Burial site:……………

The votive offerings include……………

Everything is clearly listed in the document for the deceased’s ancestral records, so there is no need to fear evil spirits. We present this to the higher authorities for consideration, seeking the wisdom of the Divine Master Vu Lam. We respectfully req

est that the deceased’s spirit be granted permission to receive this document.

Caution!

Note: After burning paper money and clothes, the homeowner can scatter rice and salt in various directions according to family custom.

Prayer for offering to wandering souls (offering to all beings) on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month outdoors.

The Hungry Ghost Festival, or offering to wandering spirits, on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, is usually performed outdoors to offer alms to homeless spirits according to folk beliefs. The homeowner prepares a separate offering tray, places it in front of the door or in the yard, and recites a prayer to invite the spirits to partake.

Prayer for wandering souls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.

The Hungry Ghost Festival on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month is usually performed outdoors, with offerings such as porridge, rice, salt, gold coins, clothing, and various sweets. The homeowner recites prayers to express their devotion, inviting homeless spirits to partake in the offerings and praying for peace and prosperity for the family.

Namo Amitabha Buddha (3 times).

I bow to the nine directions of heaven, the ten directions of all Buddhas, and all the Buddhas of the ten directions. I bow to Amitabha Buddha. I bow to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. I bow to the Kitchen God and the Guardian Spirits.

The seventh month approaches the autumnal equinox, the full moon day of atonement for the deceased. The gates of the underworld open, leaving the departed homeless.

The Great Sage Ananda, a teacher of the teachings, receives sentient beings without graves or tombs in all four directions. They wander day and night under trees, in marketplaces and on the streets, without shelter. They suffer from hunger and cold year-round, without even a thin garment to protect them from the biting wind.

Wandering souls from North, South, East, and West, young and old, men and women, gather here.

Hearing the devotee’s invitation, I have come to accept and partake in everything offered. Rice, soup, porridge, betel nuts, gold coins, and clothes of various colors—red and green. Rice, salt, fruits, lanterns—I have brought a little something to save for tomorrow.

May you bless your devotees with wealth, health, prosperity, and harmony in the family. Remembering the day of atonement for the deceased, may you return once more, and may your devotees sincerely invite you to come.

Now that the offerings have been received, the old and young alike return to the afterlife. The devotees burn the gold and silver, along with the clothes that have been distributed.

We respectfully beseech the Venerable Deity to bear witness to our virtuous deeds, for your humble devotee.

Name is: ………………………………

Couple: ………………………… 

Boy: …………………………… 

Daughter: ……………………………. 

Residing at: ………………………………..

Prayer for burning votive paper on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.

After completing the rituals for the 7th lunar month’s full moon ceremony, the family can burn the votive paper offerings according to their family’s custom. Before burning the offerings, they can recite a short prayer to announce that the ceremony is complete:

Yin and Yang are in harmony. The Buddhist ceremony is complete. The burning of gold and silver offerings is finished. The ritual is complete.

Or another sentence:

As above, so below. The Buddhist ceremony is over. The burning of paper money and offerings is complete.

Distinguishing the three major rituals of the 7th lunar month’s full moon ceremony.

The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is often associated with various rituals, the most common of which are offerings to Buddha, ancestral worship, and offerings to wandering souls/spirits. Each ritual has its own target, meaning, and preparation method. Clearly distinguishing between each ritual will help families follow the customs correctly, avoiding confusion when preparing and reciting prayers.

Buddhist rituals

Offering prayers to Buddha on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month signifies turning towards the Three Jewels, praying for peace, and reminding each person to live virtuously and do good deeds. For families with a Buddhist altar, this is often the first ritual performed each day.

Objects of the offering: The Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and the Three Jewels.

Time: The offering should be made during the day, usually before the ancestral worship ceremony. The family can choose a suitable time, as long as it is done with solemnity and sincerity.

The offering tray needs to be prepared: Offerings to Buddha usually prioritize vegetarian and pure dishes, without being overly elaborate. You can prepare:

• Incense, fresh flowers, lamps or candles.
• Clean water.
• Fruit.
• Sticky rice, sweet soup, or vegetarian dishes.
• Vegetarian cakes and light meals are available depending on the family’s circumstances.

The offering tray doesn’t need to have many dishes; the most important things are cleanliness, solemnity, and the sincerity of the person making the offering.

Ancestor worship ritual

The ancestral worship ceremony on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month is associated with a specific meaning. The Vu Lan festival, a time for filial piety, is when children and grandchildren remember their grandparents, parents, and deceased family members. This is also a time for families to express gratitude to their ancestors and pray for peace and harmony among family members.

Objects of the offering: Grandparents, ancestors, parents, and the spirits of both the paternal and maternal sides of the family.

Time: This is offering is usually made after the Buddhist ceremony, at the ancestral altar in the home. The homeowner should prepare the offerings and recite the prayer with a serious and respectful attitude.

The offering tray needs to be prepared: Bank depending on the family’s circumstances and customs, they may prepare a meal with savory or vegetarian dishes, including:

• Incense, flowers, lamps, or candles.
• Betel nuts, water, and wine.
• Rice, soup, and other common family meals.
• Boiled chicken, pork sausage, sticky rice, and sweet soup are included if preparing a savory meal.
• Fruits and sweets.
• Paper offerings are used if the family has a tradition of using them.

It’s not necessary to prepare a huge offering. A decent meal, appropriate to the family’s circumstances and offered with sincerity, still holds the most important meaning.

Rituals for offering sacrifices to wandering souls/all beings

The Hungry Ghost Festival, or offering to wandering souls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, is a ritual dedicated to homeless spirits according to folk beliefs. The ceremony expresses a spirit of charity, compassion, and a hope that the spirits will partake in the offerings and soon return to their resting place.

Objects of the offering: Wandering souls, sentient beings, and spirits without a place to rest.

Time: This is ritual is usually performed in the afternoon or evening of the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, after the Buddhist and ancestral worship ceremonies have been completed. The ceremony is held outdoors, in front of the house, in the yard, or in a suitable area.

The offering tray needs to be prepared: The offerings are usually simple and easy to enjoy, and may include:

• Thin porridge.
• Rice, salt.
• Popcorn, potatoes, corn, candy.
• Fruit.
• Water or tea.
• Incense, lamps, or candles.
• Paper money and gold clothing are used as offerings, depending on local customs.

The offering tray for wandering souls should not be placed together with the offering tray for ancestors or Buddha. After the ceremony is complete, the homeowner performs the rituals of burning offerings and scattering rice and salt according to local customs, and should not bring offerings for wandering spirits into the house.

The traditional sequence for offering prayers on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.

To ensure the Mid-Autumn Festival (Rằm tháng 7) is performed in the correct order, families should proceed sequentially from offering prayers to Buddha, deities, and ancestors to offering prayers to wandering souls/all beings. Each offering is directed towards a different deity, so appropriate offerings and prayers should be prepared.

Order of offerings for the Full Moon Festival in the 7th lunar month

• Offering to Buddha: If the family has a Buddhist altar, they should perform the offering to Buddha first. The offering tray usually consists of vegetarian items, including fruits, clean water, sticky rice, sweet soup, or other vegetarian dishes depending on circumstances.
• Offering sacrifices to the deities: Offering prayers at the main altar, the homeowner sincerely pays respects to the Earth God, the Kitchen God, and other deities governing the household. The homeowner recites a personal prayer to express their devotion and pray for peace and prosperity for the family.
• Ancestor worship: After the ceremony honoring the deities, the family performs a ritual offering at the ancestral altar, presenting rice, fruits, incense, flowers, and other prepared offerings. This is an occasion for descendants to remember their ancestors and grandparents and pray for peace and harmony in the family.
• Offering to wandering souls/all beings: The ritual of offering food to wandering souls was performed. This is done outdoors, usually in the afternoon or evening. The offerings are placed separately, directed towards the homeless spirits, and are not performed together with the ancestral worship ceremony indoors.

Note: It is not advisable to combine all three rituals into one offering. Buddha, deities, ancestors, and wandering souls are different entities, so offerings, placements, and prayers should be distinguished. If altar space is limited, offerings to deities and ancestors can be placed in the same area of the altar inside the house, but separate prayers should still be recited for each entity. The offering to wandering souls/wandering souls should be separate and placed outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should the offerings for the 7th lunar month be made indoors or outdoors?

The rituals for the 7th lunar month’s full moon are usually performed separately. Offerings to Buddha, deities, and ancestors are made at the altar inside the house, while offerings to wandering souls/spirits are made outside in the yard, in front of the door, or in an area outside the house. It’s advisable to separate the offerings and prayers for each to avoid confusion.

Which day is auspicious for offering prayers on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month?

Traditionally, the Ghost Festival (Rằm tháng 7) is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. However, families don’t necessarily have to perform the ritual on this exact day; they can choose a suitable day between the 1st and 15th of the 7th lunar month, depending on their circumstances and family customs. The Ghost Festival (Cúng cô hồn) is usually performed in the afternoon or evening.

What should be prepared for the offering tray on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month?

The offerings vary depending on the ritual. The offering to Buddha usually consists of vegetarian food, fruits, water, sticky rice, and sweet soup. The offering to ancestors may include rice, soup, boiled chicken, sticky rice, sweet soup, fruits, incense, and flowers. The offering to wandering souls typically includes thin porridge, rice and salt, sweets, puffed rice, fruits, water, and votive paper money. There’s no need for overly elaborate preparations; cleanliness and sincerity are important.

When is the best time to offer sacrifices to wandering spirits?

According to folk beliefs, the offering to wandering souls should be performed in the afternoon or evening, when the light is softer, rather than at midday. The ceremony can be held between the 1st and 15th of the 7th lunar month, with many families choosing the afternoon or evening of the 15th day of the lunar month. The offering tray should be placed outdoors, and a separate prayer should be recited to the wandering souls.

At what time should the offerings for the 7th lunar month be made?

For Buddhist, deity, and ancestral worship, families should complete these rituals during the day, either in the morning or early afternoon. If they wish to complete all ceremonies on the full moon day, they should arrange it around 5 PM to allow sufficient time for each ritual. The offering to wandering spirits can be done in the evening. This is a common customary arrangement, not a mandatory time for all families.

What offerings should be prepared for the Mid-Autumn Festival (15th day of the 7th lunar month)?

Depending on the customs and beliefs of each family, the votive offerings for the 7th lunar month (Rằm tháng 7) may include paper money, paper clothes, and other paper items used in the burning ritual. For the Hungry Ghost Festival (Cúng Đoàn Sinh), some families prepare additional paper money and clothes to burn after the ceremony. It is not advisable to burn too much votive paper; prepare only enough according to family tradition to avoid waste and ensure safety during the burning process.

Summary

The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is an important occasion for each family to turn towards Buddhism, remember their ancestors, and perform the traditional ritual of offering food to wandering souls. Hopefully, these articles. Prayer for the Full Moon of the Seventh Lunar Month and the above instructions help families prepare the offering ceremony fully, in the correct order, and with sincerity.