According to the book "Vietnamese Traditional Prayers" (Culture - Information Publishing House), the New Year Thanksgiving ceremony is held at the end of Tet, also known as the gold burning ceremony. In the past, the gold burning ceremony was held on the 3rd day of Tet or the first day of the 7th day of Tet.
According to the book "Traditional Vietnamese Worship - Rituals and Ritual Practices" (The Gioi Publishing House), after neatly arranging the offerings on the family altar, the homeowner lights incense, lights candles, then sits cross-legged or kneels in front of the family altar, reading the prayer to burn votive paper.
Below is a reference prayer for burning votive paper, according to the book "Traditional Vietnamese Worship - Rituals and Ritual Practices" (The Gioi Publishing House):
Namo Amitabha Buddha
Namo Amitabha Buddha
Namo Amitabha Buddha
I bow to the nine directions of heaven, the ten directions of Buddhas, the ten directions of Buddhas.
I bow to the fairies, gods, saints, and holy mothers.
I bow to the council of gods who govern this place.
I bow to the ancestors on both sides of my paternal and maternal ancestors, relatives in the underworld, the previous and current owners of the land, and all the deceased who have come here to attend this ceremony.
I am the believer:..., residing at:...
Today, I offer incense on the third day of Tet. I respectfully ask the councils at all levels to enjoy the offerings and bless my descendants with good health, peace and prosperity.
Dear all,
The spring party is over
Thanksgiving Ceremony
Farewell procession
Back to the underworld
New Year's Eve
The whole family is looking forward to it.
Save the blessings and save the grace
Dear God,
bless
Yang mechanism Yin tomb
All good places
Security children
Run smoothly!
Now we would like to burn gold and silver votive paper money, to thank the gods, and to escort the spirit back to the underworld. We respectfully ask for blessings, grace, and protection in all good places, for our children and grandchildren to have everything as they wish, peace in all things, complete wealth, and a warm and happy family.
With sincere respect, I present this humble gift. Please consider and witness.
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Bow to ancestors 4 times and then read the ritual:
Spring is bustling with joy
Warm love everywhere
Spring is full of laughter
Children eagerly await spring blessings
The other flower also whispered
Spring comes with more rosy cheeks and more beauty
Life is so floating
Drifting with karma, good and bad karma must be repaid.
I bow to you, Lord.
I respectfully ask my ancestors to grant me good fortune.
Bless your children
Meditate to find more blessings
Spring is bustling with joy
Spring comes, spring is always here, my friend.
May the ancestors be happy
Give your children and grandchildren great intelligence and talent.
A wholehearted loyalty to the country
A kind and gentle heart in life
Kind heart, pay respect and show gratitude
A good heart and good deeds build many blessings.
After the ceremony, the homeowner will bow three times, asking for the ancestors to bless their descendants. Then, they will ask for permission to collect and share the blessings (items) with their descendants. At the same time, the homeowner will burn votive paper to thank the ancestors and family gods.
The thanksgiving ceremony is performed solemnly in a clean corner of the garden or yard. The family gods' money and belongings will be burned first, followed by the ancestors' money and belongings.
If someone in the family has just passed away, the votive paper must be burned separately. The place where the votive paper is burned usually has a long sugar cane with the meaning of using it as a walking stick for the soul to carry the goods to the underworld. However, in reality, few people do this.
Note, homeowners do not need to buy too much votive paper or votive clothes, but should save and limit the negative effects of burning votive paper such as fire and environmental pollution.
