According to folk beliefs, the year-end worship ceremony is a ritual to express gratitude to heaven and earth, gods and ancestors for protecting and blessing the family to have a peaceful year, smooth work, and smooth life. This is also a moment for family members to gather, close the old year and be ready to welcome the new year.
On the last day of the year, many families spend time cleaning and tidying up their houses neatly and beautifully. This not only has the meaning of refreshing the living space but also expresses the concept of "welcoming the old and welcoming the new" - sending off bad luck from the old year, welcoming good luck in the coming year. The worship area is even more focused on being cleaned thoroughly, maintaining solemnity and purity.
When the preparations are completed, the homeowner usually cleans them up once, some houses even burn agarwood, use powders or fragrant water cooked from herbs to purify the space, with the desire to dispel bad qi, bring luck and fortune.
The year-end feast is solemnly arranged. After that, the homeowner lights incense and lamps in front of the ancestral altar, clasps hands and prays. Usually, the ritual begins with chanting "Nam Mo Amitabha Buddha" three times, then reverently bows, expressing gratitude and respect for ancestors.
Below is a year-end prayer according to the book "Traditional Vietnamese Worship - Rituals and Ritual Practices" (The Gioi Publishing House):
I bow to the nine heavens, the ten directions of Buddhas, the Buddhas of the ten directions;
I pray to my parents for Truth;
I bow to the gods, the gods, the saints, the Holy Mothers;
I bow to the gods governing this place, along with the ancestors, the predecessors, the land owners, and the hidden faces in this place.
The trustee's name is:... residing at:...
Today is the 28th/29th day of Tet, I am preparing offerings for the year-end ceremony, I would like to perform an incense offering ceremony to show my sincerity towards the gratitude of the superiors. I respectfully wish you gentlemen, dignitaries and the ancestral council to attend the ceremony, enjoy the offerings to witness and protect our family to be healthy, peaceful, all good things, prosperous and wealthy.
After praying, the homeowner reads the ritual text:
Sincerely worshiping at the end of the year
My heart is joyful to offer ancestral incense
Gratitude for nurturing and giving birth
Which one dares to betray deep gratitude?
With sincere respect for the herbs
Pray to the ancestors to witness my heart
Witnessing a bright heart, a loyal heart
Proving that filial piety is always complete
Grandparents reunite
Good children and filial grandchildren radiantly welcome spring.
May the Buddhas have mercy.
Give to relatives, relatives of both sides
Knowing the cause, knowing the effect corrects the mind
Doing many good deeds, accumulating rich fortune
Spring returns warm with family affection
Spring comes, fortune also comes with spring.
After reading, bow 3 times.
After the ceremony, wait for the incense to burn for the first week. You can add a second week of incense when the homeowner or children and grandchildren start burning votive paper money, prayer papers (remember to pour ginger wine on the ashes of votive paper). Spread rice and salt in front of the alley. When the incense burns out, please lower the offering.
Year-end prayer text on the afternoon of the 30th of Tet according to the book "Vietnamese Traditional Prayers" (Culture - Information Publishing House):
Nam Mo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)
- I respectfully bow to the nine heavens, the ten directions of Buddhas, the Buddhas of the ten directions.
- I respectfully bow to the Heavens, the Earth, and all the Supreme Gods.
- I respectfully bow to Lord Kim nien Duong cai Thai Tue chi duc thon than.
- I respectfully bow to the Lords of Ban Canh Thanh Hoang, all the Great Kings.
- I respectfully bow to you, Homeland Gods, Earth Gods.
- I respectfully bow to the Five Directions, Five Earths, Dragon veins, Gods of Wealth, Kitchen Gods, and all the gods who govern this land.
- I respectfully bow to Cao Tang To Khao, Cao Tang To Ty, and the ancestral spirits of both families...
Today is December 28/29 of the year:..
Believers (us) are:.. Resident at:..
Before the court, respectfully reporting: Winter is coming to an end, year is running out, spring is approaching, the new year is coming.
We and the entire family prepare offerings of incense and flowers, rich meals and soups, prepare a year-end ceremony, offer to Heaven and Earth to honor gods, dedicate to ancestors, and commemorate all spirits.
According to custom, the year of excommunication is to report sacrifices, bow to all venerable gods, martyrs, ancestors, local predecessors, all incense and spirits to come to the court, the palace witnesses, receive offerings, bless the whole family, big and small, young and old, peace and prosperity, all things as desired, all good things, always healthy, family harmony.
Sincerely beckoning, bowing to the venerable gods and ancestors inside and outside to witness and protect.
Nam Mo Amitabha Buddha (3 times, 3 bows).
