Complete and traditional prayer for the full moon of each month at home 2026.

Prayer for the full moon day of each month is a ritual performed by many families on the 15th day of the lunar month to offer incense to deities and ancestors, praying for peace, good fortune, and prosperity. This article compiles the complete traditional prayer for 2026, along with instructions on how to perform the full moon ceremony, prepare offerings, light incense, and important notes to ensure the ceremony is solemn and in accordance with tradition.

Prayer for the full moon day to worship the Earth God and other deities each month.

On the full moon day, home owners usually offer incense to the Earth God and other deities to express their devotion and pray for peace in the family, smooth work, and good fortune in all endeavors. Below is a traditional prayer to the Earth God and other deities, suitable for performing the full moon ceremony at home:

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.

We respectfully bow before the Heavenly Emperor, the Earth Goddess, and all revered deities.

I respectfully bow before the local tutelary deity, the local earth deity, the household kitchen god, and all other revered deities.

I respectfully bow before Lord Dong Shen Jun.

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 full moon day of the ….. month of the ….. year (Lunar calendar). I, your humble devotee, sincerely prepare incense, flowers, offerings, gold, silver, tea, and fruits, and light a stick of incense before the altar.

We respectfully invite: the Venerable Deity Kim Nien, the current Tai Sui, the Great Kings of the local City God, the God of the Kitchen and Hearth, the Household Earth God, the Dragon Vein Deity, the Five Directions and Five Lands Deities, the God of Fortune and Virtue, and all other Venerable Deities governing this area.

We humbly beseech you, O deities, to hear our invitation, descend before the altar, witness our sincerity, and accept our offerings.

May our whole family be at peace, our work be successful, everyone be safe, our wealth increase, our spiritual understanding expand, all our wishes be granted, and all our desires come true.

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 to the ancestors on the 15th day of each lunar month.

After completing the rituals of offering sacrifices to the Earth God and other deities on the full moon day, the homeowner continues to offer incense to their ancestors to express gratitude, remember their merits, and pray for peace and happiness in the family. Below is a traditional prayer to ancestors on the full moon day of each month, suitable for performing the prayer at home.

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 local tutelary deity, the local earth deity, the household kitchen god, and all other revered deities.

I respectfully bow before my ancestors, my deceased father, my deceased mother, and all the departed spirits (if there is an altar in the house).

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

Residing at: …………………………………………………

Today is the full moon day of the ….. month of the year Bính Ngọ 2026 (Lunar Calendar).

The devotee sincerely prepares offerings of incense, flowers, tea, and fruit, lights a stick of incense, and presents them before the altar.

We respectfully invite: the local tutelary deity, the Great Kings, the local earth god, the household kitchen god, the Five Directions deities, the Dragon Vein deity, and the God of Wealth.
We humbly beseech you, O deities, to descend before the altar, witness our sincerity, and accept our offerings.

We respectfully invite our ancestors, both paternal and maternal, to have mercy on their descendants, to manifest themselves, witness our sincerity, and accept our 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.

With sincere hearts and humble offerings, we respectfully bow before the altar, praying for blessings and protection, prosperity for our family, good health for our children and grandchildren, peace and well-being in all things, and good fortune in all endeavors.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

Prayer to the God of Wealth on the 15th day of each lunar month

For families, shops, or businesses that worship the God of Wealth, offering incense on the 15th day of the lunar month is a ritual to express devotion, praying for prosperous business, abundant wealth, and successful sales. Below is a traditional prayer to the God of Wealth on the 15th day of each month, suitable for offering at home or in business.

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.

We respectfully bow before Heaven, Earth, and all revered deities.

I respectfully bow before the Lord of the Eastern Kitchen, the God of the Stove.

I respectfully bow before the God of Wealth.

I respectfully bow before the deities and spirits who govern this land.

Your humble servant is: …………………………………

Residing at: …………………………………………………

Today is the full moon day of the ….. month of the ….. year (Lunar calendar).

Devoted devotees sincerely prepare incense, flowers, offerings, gold and silver, tea, fruits, and other ceremonial items, placing them before the altar, respectfully inviting the God of Wealth to take his place.

We humbly beseech the God of Wealth to have mercy on your devotee, to descend before this altar, witness our sincerity, and accept our offerings.

May you protect us, your devotees, granting us peace, health, and well-being, good fortune in all things, a prosperous and thriving family, increasing wealth and fortune, spiritual enlightenment, and the fulfillment of all our requests and desires.

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)

Suggestions for a complete offering tray for the full moon day of each month at home.

The offering tray for the full moon day doesn’t need to be overly elaborate, but it should be prepared cleanly, respectfully, and appropriately to each family’s circumstances. The homeowner can choose vegetarian or non-vegetarian offerings; the most important thing is sincerity when offering incense.

A trayThe basic offerings for the full moon ceremony usually include:

• Fresh flowers: Chrysanthemums, lotus flowers, or roses are preferred; use fresh flowers and avoid artificial ones.
• A tray of five fruits: Choose 5 types of fresh, seasonal fruit that are intact and not bruised or damaged.
• Incense and lamps: Three incense sticks along with an oil lamp or candle are to be lit during the ceremony.
• Tea and clean water: Three cups of clean water and three cups of brewed tea are arranged on a ceramic stand or in clean cups.
• Betel nut: One betel nut and one fresh betel leaf represent the beauty of traditional worship beliefs.
• Paper offerings: Prepare a symbolic amount of gold coins according to local customs.

If offering meat dishes, the family can prepare sticky rice, boiled chicken, pork sausage, or other traditional dishes. Mean while, vegetarian offerings usually include sticky rice, sweet soup, cakes, fruits, and other wholesome vegetarian dishes. Regardless of the chosen method, the most important thing when offering incense on the full moon day is to keep the worship space clean, dress respectfully, and perform the ritual with sincerity.

Things to note when performing the full moon ceremony.

To ensure the full moon ceremony is solemn and meaningful, homeowners should pay attention to the timing, the preparation of the altar, and their mindset during the ritual. Here are some important points to note:

• Choose a suitable time for the offering: The homeowner should perform the full moon offering ceremony in the morning or evening of the 15th day of the lunar month. This is the time many families choose to light incense on the full moon day, as it is both convenient and ensures solemnity. Avoid performing the ceremony too late, especially after 9 PM.
• Maintain a respectful attitude during the ceremony: Before reciting the monthly prayer on the 15th day of the lunar month, the person performing the ritual should dress respectfully and neatly, and maintain a peaceful state of mind. On the 15th day, one should avoid arguments, negative words, or anger so that the ceremony can proceed with sincerity and reverence.
• Clean the altar thoroughly: Before preparing the offerings for the full moon festival, the homeowner should clean the altar, incense burner, water bowl, wine flask, and other religious objects with a clean cloth. Warm water mixed with ginger can be used to clean the religious objects, helping to create a clean and solemn worship space before offering the sacrifices.
• Prepare offerings that are sufficient and avoid ostentation: The offering tray doesn’t need to have too many dishes or be too expensive. The homeowner can prepare a vegetarian or non-vegetarian offering depending on their means, as long as the offerings are neatly and cleanly arranged and show reverence. The most important thing in the Mid-Autumn Festival offering is sincerity, not an extravagant feast.
• Follow the correct ritual order: If the family has multiple altars, it is advisable to worship the Earth God and other deities first, followed by the ancestors. If there is a separate altar for the God of Wealth, the homeowner can perform the worship ceremony at this altar after completing the first one.suspectThe ceremony takes place at the main altar. Following the correct sequence ensures the ritual conforms to traditional worship customs.

Special Full Moon Day Calendars in 2026

Besides reciting prayers on the full moon day of each month, homeowners should also remember other important full moon days throughout the year to prepare offerings and arrange their worship time more carefully. These are all occasions with special spiritual significance in traditional Vietnamese culture.

• Full Moon of the First Lunar Month (March 3, 2026 in the Gregorian calendar): Also known as Tet Nguyen Tieu, it is the first full moon of the new year. This is an occasion for Vietnamese people to visit temples, pray for peace, health, good fortune, and express their wishes for a prosperous and fulfilling year.
• Full Moon of the Fourth Lunar Month (May 31, 2026 in the Gregorian calendar): Buddha’s Birthday is the day commemorating the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, according to Buddhist tradition. On this occasion, Buddhists often participate in temple ceremonies, perform charitable acts, and strive for values of compassion and peace.
• Full Moon of the Seventh Lunar Month (August 27, 2026 in the Gregorian calendar): Vu Lan Festival is an important occasion for children and grandchildren to remember and express gratitude to their parents, grandparents, and ancestors. At the same time, according to folk beliefs, it is also the Day of Atonement for Deceased Souls, associated with prayers for the liberation of departed souls.
• Full Moon of the Eighth Lunar Month (September 25, 2026): Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Reunion Festival, is a time for families to gather, enjoy mooncakes, admire the moon, and participate in activities for children such as lantern parades and lion dances.
• Full Moon of the Tenth Lunar Month (November 23, 2026 in the Gregorian calendar): Also known as the New Rice Festival (or New Rice Festival), it is an occasion for people to express gratitude to their ancestors and the heavens, and to pray for a bountiful harvest, a peaceful and prosperous life. According to Buddhist tradition, this is also a day to focus on doing good deeds, accumulating merit, and praying for peace.

For your convenience in preparing offerings and burning incense on the full moon day, here is the schedule of full moon days (15th of the lunar month) in 2026:

Lunar month	Gregorian calendar date	Note
Full Moon of the First Lunar Month	03/03/2026	The Full Moon of the First Lunar Month (Lantern Festival)
Full Moon of the Second Lunar Month	31/03/2026	Full Moon Day of each month
Full Moon of the Third Lunar Month	01/05/2026	Coincidentally, it falls on International Labor Day.
Full Moon of the Fourth Month	31/05/2026	Buddha's Birthday
Full Moon of the 5th Lunar Month	29/06/2026	Full Moon Day (Last Weekend)
Full Moon of the Sixth Month	28/07/2026	Full Moon Day of each month
Full Moon of the Seventh Month	27/08/2026	Vu Lan Festival – Atonement for Deceased Souls
Full Moon of the Eighth Month	25/09/2026	Mid-Autumn Festival
Full Moon of the Ninth Month	24/10/2026	Full Moon Day (Last Weekend)
Full Moon of the 10th Lunar Month	23/11/2026	Lower Nguyên Festival
Full Moon of the 11th Lunar Month	23/12/2026	The last full moon of the year
Full Moon of the 12th Lunar Month	22/01/2027	The 15th day of the 12th lunar month, preparing to welcome Tet (Lunar New Year).

Knowing the calendar of the full moon days throughout the year will help home owners proactively prepare offerings, arrange time for worship on the full moon day, and perform the rituals on the correct day and according to customs, showing reverence to the deities and ancestors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fruits should be offered as sacrifices on the full moon day?

The homeowner should choose fresh, ripe, and undamaged fruits for the five-fruit offering. Bananas, pomelos, oranges, apples, grapes, dragon fruit, or other seasonal fruits are preferred. Most importantly, the fruits must be clean, fresh, and respectfully arranged for the offering on the full moon day.

What kind of flowers should be offered as a sacrifice on the full moon day?

The types of flowers commonly used in offerings during the full moon festival are yellow chrysanthemums, lotus flowers, lilies, or roses. Fresh flowers with a light fragrance should be chosen, and artificial, wilted, or overly strong-smelling flowers should be avoided.

Should offerings be vegetarian or non-vegetarian on the full moon day?

Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian offerings are appropriate, depending on local customs and the circumstances of each family. Many families choose vegetarian offerings on the full moon day to show purity, while some places still prepare non-vegetarian offerings when worshipping their ancestors. Regardless of the form, the most important thing is sincerity and carefully prepared offerings.

Is it okay to offer prayers a day later on the full moon day?

Ideally, the offering ceremony should be performed on the 15th day of the lunar month. However, if busy with work or for unavoidable reasons, the homeowner can still perform the ceremony earlier on the 14th or later on the 16th day of the lunar month. The important thing is to maintain sincerity when reciting the prayers on the 15th day of each lunar month; there’s no need to worry too much if you can’t perform the ceremony at the exact time.

Who is the family representative who reads the prayer for the full moon offering?

Typically, the homeowner or an adult in the family will be the one to read the prayer for the full moon ceremony. If the homeowner is absent, a family member can perform the ritual on their behalf. The person reading the prayer should dress respectfully, maintain a serious and sincere demeanor to ensure the ceremony is solemn and in accordance with tradition.

Summary

Prayer for the full moon day of each month is a beautiful aspect of Vietnamese spiritual life, expressing reverence for deities and ancestors, while also praying for peace, good fortune, and prosperity. Hopefully, the prayers and instructions in this article will help home owners prepare the offerings according to tradition, solemnly, and meaningfully on each full moon day.