According to the ancient concept of the Vietnamese people, the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is called the Kitchen Gods' Tet. This is the day when the Kitchen Gods (Tho Cong, Kitchen God) return to Heaven to report to the Jade Emperor the good and bad deeds of the family on earth during the past year.
The ceremony to worship the Kitchen Gods is not only an occasion to send the Kitchen Gods to Heaven, but also to express the family's gratitude to the gods who have protected the family throughout the year. This is also the time for families to clean and decorate their houses, preparing to welcome the New Year.
According to the book Traditional Vietnamese Prayers - Culture and Information Publishing House, on this holiday, families will burn the previous year's gold, hats, shirts, and shoes, pour out the ashes and release the carp for the Kitchen Gods to ride to Heaven. Folk belief holds that: after being released, the carp will turn into a dragon for the Kitchen Gods to ride.
Depending on local customs and circumstances, families prepare different offerings, which can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian.
Let's refer to the prayer for the Kitchen Gods to go to Heaven (according to Traditional Vietnamese Prayers - Thanh Hoa 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 Buddhas of the ten directions.
I respectfully bow to you, the God of the Kitchen, the God of the Kitchen.
We, the believers, are...
Located at:...
Today is the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month. We, the believers, sincerely prepare incense, flowers, offerings, shoes, clothes and hats to respectfully offer to the God. Light a stick of incense and sincerely pay our respects. We respectfully invite the God of the Kitchen to appear before the altar and enjoy the offerings.
I bow to the Gods and ask them to forgive all the mistakes we have made in the past year. Please bless our whole family, men and women, young and old, with good health, prosperity, and all good things.
We respectfully offer our humble offerings and pray, hoping that the Gods will bless and protect us.
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Prayer to Tho Cong (Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao) according to the book Traditional Vietnamese Prayers - Culture and Information Publishing House:
The following prayer to Tho Cong is used all year round, depending on when the offering is made, the date and month can be changed accordingly.
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
- I bow to the nine directions of Heaven, the ten directions of Buddhas, the Buddhas of the ten directions.
- I respectfully bow to the Emperor of Heaven and the Earth, all the deities.
- I respectfully bow to you, the God of the Kitchen, the God of the Five Directions and Five Lands, and the God of Fortune and Virtue.
- I bow to the Gods who rule this land.
The believer is… Residing at… Today is the… day… month… year…
I, the believer, sincerely prepare incense, flowers, offerings, gold and silver, tea and fruit, and place them before the altar. Light a stick of incense and respectfully invite: On this day, the Kitchen God of the Dong Tru family, the God of the Earth and Dragon Veins, the God of the Five Directions and Five Soils, and the God of Fortune and Virtue.
We humbly ask the Merciful Ones to come down before the altar, witness our sincerity, accept the offerings, bless us and our families with security and well-being, all good things, prosperity and family prosperity, all requests are answered, all wishes are fulfilled.
We respectfully bow before the altar and ask for your protection and blessing.
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
After setting up the ceremony, burning incense and praying, wait for the incense to burn out, light another round of incense and burn the votive paper. After that, the family takes the carp to a pond, lake, river, stream... to release so that the fish can carry the Kitchen God to Heaven.
Note, the ceremony usually takes place on December 23, and can be done in the morning or at noon before 12 noon (the time the Kitchen Gods go to Heaven).
