The full moon of December is the time to prepare to close a lunar year. This is an opportunity for each family to express gratitude to ancestors and gods, and at the same time pray for peace and smooth progress before the new year.
On this day, many Vietnamese families maintain the custom of worshiping the full moon as a familiar religious activity, carrying the meaning of reunion and turning to the origin.
The full moon ceremony of the twelfth lunar month does not place much emphasis on formality but emphasizes solemnity and sincerity. Homeowners often arrange the offering tray neatly and cleanly to offer to ancestors and gods who govern the house and residential area.
According to the book "Vietnamese Traditional Prayers" (Information Culture Publishing House), the offerings for the full moon of the twelfth lunar month mainly include incense, flowers, betel and areca, fruits, gold coins and a cup of clean water. Depending on each family's conditions, the offering tray can be supplemented with savory offerings such as boiled chicken, sticky rice, soup, and wine to show thoughtfulness and respect for the offering.
Although the main day of the full moon (15th day of the twelfth lunar month, i.e., February 2nd of the solar calendar) is considered the dark day, the homeowner can still perform rituals at good hours, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. The hours include: Tiger hour (3am-5am), Rabbit hour (5am-7am), Snake hour (9am-11am), Monkey hour (3pm-5pm), Dog hour (7pm-9pm) and Pig hour (9pm-11pm).
In the December full moon worshiping ceremony, the prayer text is an important part, expressing the respect and prayers of the homeowner sent to the superiors.
Below is the prayer text for the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, excerpted from the book Traditional Vietnamese prayer text:
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
I bow to the Nine Heavens, the Ten Directions of Buddhas, the Buddhas of the Ten Directions.
I respectfully bow to the Emperor, the Later Earth, and all the Supreme Gods.
I respectfully bow to Lord Dong Than Quan.
I respectfully bow to Lord Ban Gia Tho Dia Long Mach.
I respectfully bow to the Five Directions, Five Earths, and the Gods of Merit.
I respectfully bow to your predecessor, the landlord, and the talented god.
I respectfully bow to the Gods who govern this area.
Our believers are:..
Located at:..
Today is the day...... month...... year.... (Full moon of the twelfth lunar month of the Year of the Snake), my trusted son sincerely prepares incense, flowers, offerings, kim ngân tea and fruit, burns a fragrant incense stick and offers it before the altar.
We sincerely respectfully invite: Mr. Kim Nien, currently cai Thai Tue chi duc Ton than, Mr. Ban canh Thanh hoang Chu vi Dai Vuong, Mr. Dong tru Tu menh Tao phu Than quan, Mr. Ban gia Tho dia, Long Mach Ton than, Mr. Ngu Phuong, Ngu Tho, Phuc duc chinh than, the gods ruling in this area.
I humbly ask you to hear the invitation to pity and sympathize with the believer to descend before the court, witness your sincerity, enjoy offerings, and bless us, believers, so that our whole family can have peace and smooth affairs. Everyone is safe, fortune increases, morality is expanded, prayers are answered, wishes are fulfilled.
We offer a sincere and humble offering, before the altar, respectfully offering, and bow to ask for blessings and protection.
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
