According to feng shui expert Nguyen Song Ha, the full moon of the first lunar month is an important occasion in the spiritual life of Vietnamese people. Therefore, when preparing offerings and burning incense, homeowners need to pay attention to some taboos to show sincerity.
Below are the taboos on the full moon day of the first lunar month:
Do not display "fake savory" vegetarian dishes on the offering tray
For families worshiping Buddha, the offering tray is usually vegetarian food. However, dishes should be purely vegetarian, avoiding processing in the style of "fake" meat, fish, shrimp... According to folk beliefs, offering fake savory vegetarian food shows that the heart is still preoccupied with desires, not really pure.
Avoid pig head offerings
If preparing a savory tray, homeowners should not place pig heads on the altar on this day. Instead, you can choose familiar dishes such as boiled chicken, sticky rice, bamboo shoot soup, vermicelli... which are both solemn and suitable for customs.
Do not use fake fruits or offerings
The offering tray for the full moon of the first lunar month does not necessarily have to be elaborate or have many dishes. Depending on the conditions of each family, prepare it appropriately, the most important thing is still the heart. However, flowers and fruits used for offering should be fresh and real, with a light fragrance; placing fake offerings is considered a taboo.
Do not place counterfeit or illicit money
Many families place money on the altar along with offerings. However, it is necessary to avoid using counterfeit money or money of unclear origin. The amount of money is not as important as the sincerity of the offering person.
Notes when burning incense on the full moon of the first lunar month
Before burning incense, the altar should be cleaned, but limit moving the incense bowl.
Outfits need to be neat and polite.
Choose incense with a mild smell, guaranteed quality, avoiding moisture and mold.
Offerings should be prepared depending on the conditions, and should not be ostentatious and wasteful.
Maintain a solemn atmosphere, avoid swearing and arguing around the worship area.
According to traditional beliefs, the person directly performing the ceremony should keep their body and mind pure from the evening of the 14th of the lunar month; limit alcohol, heavy-smelling dishes and foods considered inappropriate on the holiday. Before worshiping, you can wash your hands with fragrant leaf water, drink a light cup of tea to create relaxation.
In addition, folk tradition also tells each other to limit fishing on full moon days, in order to maintain a good mind and avoid killing during important New Year holidays.
