Prayer to welcome Tao Quan home on the night of the 30th (or 29th) of Tet
The complete ceremony to worship Ong Cong Ong Tao includes two ceremonies: one is to send Ong Tao off to heaven, the other is to welcome Ong Tao home. Families will hold the ceremony to welcome Tao home on December 30th. For lunar years without December 30th, the ceremony to welcome Tao home will be held on December 29th.
Ceremony to welcome the Kitchen Gods home
Normally, families will hold a ceremony to welcome the Kitchen Gods home on the 30th of December. For lunar years without the 30th, the ceremony will be held on the 29th of December.
The time to hold the ceremony to invite the Kitchen Gods home starts from about 11pm to 11:45pm on New Year's Eve. The offerings are prepared the same as when sending the Kitchen Gods to heaven.
However, there is also a notion that the exact date of the welcome is not fixed because the return of the Kitchen Gods early or late depends on the specific work schedule of each year of Heaven. Only when the Jade Emperor declares the closing of the "Heavenly Court Judgement" conference can the two Gods return.
Offerings to welcome Tao Quan home
Offerings to welcome the Kitchen Gods home need to be prepared the same as when sending them to heaven.
Usually includes the following basics: incense, fresh flowers, fresh fruit, candles, betel and areca nuts, medicinal wine, sticky rice, pork roll, banh chung, candy. If more elaborate, there can be boiled chicken, stir-fried dishes, bamboo shoot/vermicelli soup depending on the homeowner's conditions.
Prayer to welcome Tao Quan home on the night of the 30th (or 29th) of Tet
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 Future Buddha Maitreya.
I respectfully bow to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara who saves all living beings from suffering.
I respectfully bow to the Emperor of Heaven, the Mother of Earth, and all the deities.
I respectfully bow to the former ruler of the Hanh Khien: Lu Vuong Hanh Khien, the God of the Five Mountains.
I respectfully bow to the current Heavenly Official: Cu Tao Phan Quan.
I respectfully bow to the Five Directions, Five Tigers, Dragon Veins, Kitchen Gods, and all deities.
Today is New Year's Eve of year..., we are..., born in..., residing at...
The sacred moment of New Year's Eve has just arrived, the old year has passed, the new year is welcomed, the three suns open up, all things are renewed. Now the great god Thai Tue above obeys the order of the Emperor to supervise all people below to protect all living beings and eliminate evil spirits. The old mandarin returns to the court to leave behind blessings and grace. The new mandarin takes his place, showing his virtue of loving life, bestowing wealth and prosperity.
On the occasion of the New Year, we, the believers, sincerely prepare incense, flowers, offerings, and ritual offerings, and present them before the altar. We offer them to the Buddha, the Saints, and the Gods, and burn incense sticks and sincerely pray.
We respectfully invite: Your Excellency, ...
Wishing the believer: A prosperous new year, good luck in your life. Always keep peace, family prosperity.
We respectfully present these offerings and pray with all our hearts. We bow and ask the Buddhas of the nine directions and the ten directions, along with all the deities, to witness, bless, and protect us.
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!