According to folk and Buddhist beliefs, bao sai is a ritual to clean the altar and repair the incense bowl before the New Year. This work is usually carried out by families in the last days of December, before the New Year's Eve worshiping time.
The right time to clean the altar
According to many feng shui viewpoints, in the last days of the year, there are some times considered suitable to clean the altar, helping homeowners to prepare for Tet with peace of mind.
Usually, families choose the last days of the twelfth lunar month, especially the days considered auspicious days, favorable for repairing the altar, praying for a prosperous new year, smooth work, and peaceful family. Homeowners should complete the sweeping before the 30th day of Tet to promptly arrange and arrange the altar solemnly for the New Year's Eve worshiping ceremony.
Prepare before cleaning the altar
Before proceeding with the cleansing, the homeowner needs to pay attention to keeping their body clean, dressing neatly to show sincerity. The house should also be cleaned neatly and ventilated before cleaning the worship area.
Utensils used to clean the altar need to be prepared separately, not shared with other living areas. Towels, brushes, and cleaning tools should be clean, new, or only for the altar.
Cleaning water is usually clean water, warm water or diluted white wine with ginger. For Buddha statues and Buddha images, many families only use warm water to wipe, avoiding using alcohol.
Offer incense and ask permission before burning
Before cleaning, the homeowner should burn incense and display a plate of fruits to ask ancestors and gods for permission to cover the altar. After the incense burns out, then start cleaning.
The homeowner prepares a table covered with cloth or red paper to temporarily place the altar, incense bowl, lamps, candles and worshiping items. If there are altars for both gods and ancestors, they need to be placed separately, not mixed together.
How to clean and repair incense bowls
When cleaning the altar, it is necessary to do it gently and carefully. The removal of the incense sticks should be done slowly, not pouring the ashes in the incense bowl at the same time, but using a spoon to scoop some, then adding new ashes, meaning "a little and a lot".
Incense ash and old incense sticks after being collected should be turned into ash, dropped into clean rivers, lakes or peaceful places, avoiding throwing them in polluted areas.
During cleaning, homeowners need to especially avoid breaking worship items. Incense bowls are considered sacred objects, and should not be moved much or rotated in the wrong position.
Important notes when covering the altar
Utensils used for the altar need to be kept separate, not used for other purposes. Cleaning water must be clean water, ensuring solemnity.
Throughout the process of purification, homeowners should maintain a respectful attitude, avoiding rush or sloppy work. After completion, the altar is neatly arranged, arranged with fresh flowers, five-fruit trays to prepare for the year-end worship ceremony and welcome New Year's Eve.
Cleaning the altar at the end of the year is not only spiritual but also a traditional beauty, expressing gratitude to ancestors and wishing a peaceful new year for each family.
