How to make offerings on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month properly?

(Baonghean.vn) - July - the ghost month is the time when souls are free to return to the human world, they find every way to invade the human world by robbing and binding the souls of the living. That is why Vietnamese people have the custom of worshiping during the ghost month to ward off evil spirits, pray for peace, and dispel bad luck.

According to folklore, the period from July 2nd is the time when the King of Hell orders the opening of the Devil's Gate to "release the door" to the demons and after 12 midnight of the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, the demons must return to hell.

Image of King Yama ruling over the gates of hell. Photo from the internet

Full moon worship on July 14 or 15?

Because it is believed that this is the day when the prison gates are opened to grant amnesty to the souls of the dead, people prepare offerings to the homeless souls so that they can be at peace and not be disturbed by evil spirits. In the North, people often worship the local gods, ancestors, and grandparents before the 15th day of the seventh lunar month.

On the full moon day of the seventh lunar month, Buddha pardons the deceased for one day. All souls, including those who sin, evil spirits and yakshas, ​​are freed. Therefore, people believe that if they make offerings on this day, they are afraid that these souls will cause trouble, and bring more ghosts and wandering souls into their homes. Also, because there are many wandering souls, if they burn votive paper on this day, it is easy for them to be robbed and their relatives will find it difficult to receive it.

Image of offering alms to sentient beings right in front of the gate of a temple in Hanoi

Therefore, on clothes and votive objects, the recipient's name is often clearly written. When making offerings, the name is also clearly read and permission is asked from the local gods to allow the deceased to receive the items. The offerings are made first and burned first so that relatives can easily receive them.

What is the right time to worship on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month?

The Vu Lan ceremony to pray for the dead and show gratitude to ancestors should be held during the day. The ceremony to offer alms to the wandering souls who were unfortunate in life, had no place to rely on, and suffered many injustices in society... should be held in the late afternoon or evening.

This is according to folk beliefs, because during the day there is light, the sunlight is very strong while the ghosts whose "prison doors are opened" are very weak. Therefore, if the offering is made during the day, the ghosts, because they are afraid of the light, the sunlight will not dare to come and receive the offerings from the families. However, no matter what time is chosen, the offering must take place before 12 midnight on July 15.

The ceremony to worship the wandering souls should be performed in the late afternoon or evening before midnight on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month to avoid inviting ghosts into the house. Illustration photo.

Worshiping the 15th day of the 7th lunar month at home or at the temple first?

On this day, families should go to the pagoda to perform Vu Lan ceremony, pray for the deceased to show filial piety to parents, grandparents, ancestors... during the day, then return home to prepare a vegetarian meal and burn incense on the Buddha altar and the altar of relatives.

As for setting up the offering tray for the wandering souls that have not yet been liberated, it should be done in the evening. The offering tray for the wandering souls should be placed in the yard, not on the doorstep.

If you do not want to worship the wandering souls at home, you can worship at the temple. The Vu Lan worship at home should follow the following rituals: worship Buddha, worship gods, worship ancestors, offer food to wandering souls and release animals.

On the occasion of the full moon of the seventh lunar month, the Vu Lan ceremony of filial piety cannot be missed. This is one of the main holidays of Buddhism.

What to prepare for the ceremony to worship wandering souls and sentient beings?

Salt and rice (1 plate), thin white porridge (12 small bowls) or rice balls (3 balls), 12 sugar cubes, paper clothes, gold and silver paper money, popcorn, sugarcane (leave the skin on and cut into small pieces about 15 cm), cakes, candies, water (3 small cups), 3 incense sticks, 2 small candles.

Prepare offerings to Buddha

On the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, prepare a vegetarian meal or simply a tray of five fruits to worship Buddha at home. When worshiping, it is best to read a sutra - Vu Lan Sutra - to understand clearly about the day of filial piety, and dedicate merit to the deceased relatives to be reborn.

Worship gods and ancestors

Some Vietnamese people believe that every year, in the 6th and 7th lunar months, it is time to harvest crops. To have good luck and avoid obstacles in their work, people often pray to gods, local spirits... to imprison evil spirits and ghosts so they don't cause trouble.

Full moon offering tray in July.

On the 15th of July, everything must be completed, which is also the time when "the god of the grave, the homeowner pardons the planters", "the prison door opens to pardon the dead". On this day, people often hold a ceremony to thank the gods, and a tray of offerings to commemorate their ancestors to pray for the souls to be liberated and for peace for the family. Therefore, most families often offer salty rice, but according to Buddhist teachings, vegetarian offerings are better.

Almost every country has worship and taboos, even the most advanced and modern ones. Taboos to some extent help people feel secure.

From ancient times to the present, in the spiritual culture of most peoples in the world, there are taboos to gain luck and avoid bad luck. However, taboos are only relative, we should not indulge in superstition.

Kim Ngoc

(Synthetic)