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Detailed and Traditional Prayer for the Full Moon Ceremony of the 12th Lunar Month in 2026

The 15th day of the 12th lunar month, also known as the Full Moon of the 12th lunar month, is considered one of the most important end-of-year festivals for Vietnamese people. It’s an occasion for families to prepare offerings, burn incense to deities and ancestors, express their reverence and remembrance of their forefathers, and pray for peace and prosperity for the family in the new year. Prayer for the Full Moon Ceremony in the Twelfth Lunar Month – Therefore, preparations are usually made formally, in accordance with the customs and lifestyle of each family.

Prayer for the offering to the Earth God and other deities on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month.

On the 15th day of the 12th lunar month, in addition to commemorating their ancestors, many families prepare offerings to the Earth God and other deities governing their home and land. The following prayer is used to express sincerity, respectfully invite the deities to witness the offerings, and pray for peace and prosperity for the family and success in their endeavors.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

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

I respectfully bow before Heaven, Earth, and all the Venerable Deities.


I respectfully bow before the Kitchen God, the Lord of the Hearth.


I respectfully bow before the local Earth God and the Dragon Vein deity.


I respectfully bow before the Five Directions, the Five Lands, and the Venerable Deities of Fortune and Virtue.


I respectfully bow before the deities of wealth and property, both past and present.


I respectfully bow before the revered deities who govern this area.

We, your humble devotees, are: ………………………………………………………………


Residing at: ………………………………………………………………………………….

Today is the 15th day of the 12th month of the year …………. (Lunar calendar), your humble devotee sincerely prepares incense, flowers, offerings, gold and silver, tea, fruits, and other items to present before the altar.

We respectfully invite: the Venerable Deity of the Current Year’s Ruling Tai Sui, the Great Kings of the Local City God, the God of the Kitchen and Hearth, the Venerable Deity of the Household Earth and Dragon Vein, the Five Directions and Five Lands Deities, the God of Fortune and Virtue, and all the Venerable Deities governing this area.

We humbly beseech you, O deities, to hear our invitation, descend before the altar, witness our sincerity, accept our offerings, and bless our family with peace and prosperity, success in all endeavors. May everyone be safe, wealth increase, spiritual understanding expand, all our wishes be granted, and all our desires fulfilled.

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

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

Prayer for the offering to the Earth God and other deities on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month.
Prayer for the offering to the Earth God and other deities on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month.

Prayer for the Ancestor Worship Ceremony on the Full Moon of the Twelfth Lunar Month

After the ceremony honoring the Earth God and other deities, the family can perform the ancestral worship ceremony to remember their grandparents and ancestors and express their respect for the deceased. The following prayer for the 15th day of the 12th lunar month is presented solemnly and is appropriate for use on this day.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

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


I respectfully bow before my ancestors, both paternal and maternal: ………………………………………………..

Today is December 15th, …………. (Lunar Calendar).

We, your humble devotees, are: ………………………………………………………………


Residing at: ………………………………………………………………………………….

The devotee sincerely prepares incense, flowers, offerings, gold and silver, tea, fruits, and other items for worship, and places them before the altar.

I respectfully invite: My ancestors, both paternal and maternal, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, cousins, and relatives from both my father’s and mother’s sides. I humbly beg you to have mercy on your descendants, to descend to the altar, witness my sincerity, and accept these offerings.

The devotee respectfully invites the former and current owners residing in this house and on this land to come before the altar and partake in the offerings.

We pray that you bless and protect our family, granting us peace, success in our work, and good fortune in all things.

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

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

Prayer for the Ancestor Worship Ceremony on the Full Moon of the Twelfth Lunar Month

What is the Gregorian date for the full moon of the twelfth lunar month in 2026?

The twelfth lunar month, or December, is the last month of the year and is home to many important rituals in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people, such as the first day of the lunar month offerings, the full moon offerings, the Kitchen God ceremony, and the year-end ceremony. Each ritual has its own meaning, but all reflect the beauty of Vietnamese customs, traditions, and spiritual life.

According to the lunar calendar, the 15th day of the 12th lunar month in 2026 falls on Friday, January 22, 2027 (Gregorian calendar). This is the time when the lunar year is about to end, and families begin preparing for the year-end holidays and celebrating the Lunar New Year.

What does the offering tray for the full moon of the twelfth lunar month consist of?

To ensure a solemn ceremony for the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, in addition to preparing the prayer for the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, the family should prepare an offering tray suitable to their circumstances. Depending on regional customs and worship practices, the offering tray can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian; it doesn’t need to be elaborate, but it should be clean and show sincerity.

A typical offering tray for the Lunar New Year’s Eve celebration usually includes the following items:

  • Incense, lamps, water, and wine:Prepare incense sticks, lamps or candles, clean water, and a cup of white wine if your family uses it.
  • Fresh flowers:You can choose chrysanthemums, roses, lilies, gladioli, etc., with bright colors and no damage.
  • A tray of five fruits:Choose fresh, clean fruits with harmonious colors. The way fruits are selected and arranged may vary depending on the region.
  • Betel nut:You can prepare a plate of betel nuts and leaves to offer to the deities and ancestors.
  • Paper offerings:Prepare a moderate amount according to family customs and circumstances.

If preparing a savory offering, the family can add traditional dishes commonly found on the full moon day meal, such as:

  • Boiled chicken
  • Sticky rice or banh chung (Vietnamese rice cake)
  • Pork sausage, meatballs
  • Other savory dishes
  • Alcohol

The host can adjust the quantity and dishes according to their family’s circumstances, without focusing too much on the presentation. A well-prepared, clean offering tray presented with sincerity is what is important. Lunar New Year’s Full Moon Ceremony.

What does the offering tray for the full moon of the twelfth lunar month consist of?
What does the offering tray for the full moon of the twelfth lunar month consist of?

Things to note when offering prayers on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month.

The full moon of the twelfth lunar month is one of the most important full moon days at the end of the year. When performing rituals and reciting prayers for the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, homeowners should pay attention to a few things to ensure the ceremony is solemn and in accordance with tradition:

  • Dress formally: Those performing the ritual should dress modestly, respectfully, and cleanly to show reverence to the deities and ancestors.
  • Maintain a respectful attitude: When reciting prayers, the homeowner should maintain a calm mind, read clearly, and at an audible volume. They should avoid joking, talking amongst themselves, or being disrespectful during the ceremony.
  • Time of offering: The ritual can be performed on the afternoon of the 14th or the morning of the 15th of the twelfth lunar month The homeowner should proactively schedule the time, avoiding doing it too late when it’s already dark.
  • Placement of the offering tray: The offering tray should be placed in a suitable location clean, tall, and dignified. If the family has separate altars for deities and ancestors, appropriate offerings should be prepared and displayed at each altar.
  • Prepare the offerings: The offerings don’t need to be overly elaborate, but they should be clean, fresh, and appropriate to the family’s circumstances. A vegetarian or non-vegetarian offering can be prepared, depending on custom.
  • Be sincere when praying: When reading Prayer for the Full Moon of the Twelfth Lunar Month The homeowner should focus on the prayers, expressing gratitude to the deities and ancestors, and wishing for peace and prosperity for the family.
Things to note when offering prayers on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month.
Things to note when offering prayers on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month.

The meaning of the offerings on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month.

In Vietnamese spiritual culture, the 15th day of the 12th lunar month (the full moon of the 12th lunar month) marks the end of the old year and the approaching Lunar New Year. It is considered an occasion to “bid farewell to the old and welcome the new,” bidding farewell to the old year and preparing to welcome the new one.

The Lunar New Year’s Full Moon Ceremony in the twelfth lunar month signifies gratitude to the deities and ancestors for their blessings and protection throughout the past year, and also a prayer for peace, success in work, and harmony in the family during the final days of the year. Preparing the offerings for the Lunar New Year’s Full Moon Ceremony and sincerely presenting them is also a way for descendants to show filial piety, remember their ancestors, and preserve the national tradition of remembering one’s roots.

The meaning of the offerings on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month.

Summary

The 15th day of the 12th lunar month is an occasion for each family to give thanks to the deities, remember their ancestors, and pray for peace and prosperity in the final days of the year. When preparing…Prayer for the Full Moon Ceremony in the Twelfth Lunar Month. The homeowner doesn’t need to be overly elaborate; what’s important is that the offerings are presentable, the rituals are solemn, and a sincere heart is maintained throughout the ceremony.

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