Tet Nguyen Dan, the Lunar New Year, is not only a moment of transition between the old and new year but also an occasion for every Vietnamese person to turn towards their roots, ancestors, and profound spiritual values. For Buddhist families, performing ceremonies, and reciting prayers during Tet is an indispensable part, carrying the meaning of praying for a new year of peace and happiness and expressing reverence for the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and ancestors.

Why are Buddhist prayers for Tet important?

Unlike common folk rituals, Buddhist prayers for Tet do not focus on asking for material wealth or fame. Instead, this ceremony carries nobler meanings, directing people towards purity and peace in their souls.

• Expressing Gratitude and Reverence: This is an opportunity for us to express our deep gratitude to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for guiding and protecting us throughout the past year. It is also a way to show filial piety and remember the merits of our grandparents and ancestors.
• Purifying the Soul, Starting Anew: The moment of reciting prayers is when we calm our minds, reflect on the past year with its achievements and shortcomings. From there, we resolve to repent for our mistakes, cleanse our afflictions, and head into the new year with a pure and peaceful mind.
• Praying for National Peace and Prosperity: The prayers of a Buddhist are not limited to themselves and their families but extend to all sentient beings and the country. We pray for a new year of favorable weather, national peace, world harmony, and for everyone to live in the compassionate light of the Dharma.
• Sowing Wholesome Seeds: The act of preparing a pure vegetarian offering tray, offering fragrant incense and flowers, and reciting solemn prayers is the very act of planting wholesome seeds for the new year, creating positive energy for the family and community.

What is needed to prepare a vegetarian offering tray for Buddha on Tet?

The core principle when preparing an offering tray for Buddha is "Sincerity outweighs the offerings." The solemnity lies not in the abundance of food but in the purity, cleanliness, and sincere heart of the host. A basic vegetarian offering tray includes:

• Incense: Symbolizing the fragrance of precepts, concentration, and wisdom. Use agarwood or incense with a gentle, natural scent.
• Flowers: Offering fresh flowers symbolizes pure beauty and impermanence. Choose flowers with beautiful meanings like lotus, lily, chrysanthemum, etc.
• Light (Candles or oil lamps): The light of the lamp symbolizes the wisdom of the Buddha, illuminating the world and dispelling ignorance.
• Tea: Offering pure tea symbolizes mindfulness and an undisturbed mind.
• Fruit: A five-fruit tray (mâm ngũ quả) with fresh, delicious fruits symbolizes the fruits of practice and wholesome blessings.
• Food: Pure vegetarian dishes made from vegetables and fruits, without the five pungent spices (onions, chives, garlic, shallots, leeks) and without killing. You can prepare sticky rice, sweet soup, and simple vegetarian stir-fries or soups.

All offerings must be prepared cleanly and arranged neatly and solemnly on the Buddha altar. The host should also bathe, wear formal attire, and maintain a pure mind before the ceremony.

What is the most standard Buddhist New Year's Eve prayer at home?

New Year's Eve (Giao Thừa) is the most sacred moment, when heaven and earth harmonize, and all things awaken to welcome the new year. The New Year's Eve prayer at the Buddha altar expresses reverence, repentance, and aspirations for a peaceful new year.

(The host stands solemnly before the Buddha altar, with hands clasped in respect)

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

We respectfully bow to:

- The Buddhas of the Ten Directions, the Bodhisattvas, the Noble Sangha.

- Amitabha Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha Bhaisajyaguru.

- Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

- The Dharma Protectors, Nagas, Devas, and Guardian Spirits.

Today is the 30th day of the 12th lunar month of the year..., at the hour of the Rat, the moment of New Year's Eve is upon us. We, whose names are..., dharma name (if any)..., along with our entire family, sincerely pay homage before the Buddha altar.

Looking up to the immense grace of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who have compassionately protected us and our family, allowing us to pass through the year safely despite many difficulties. We sincerely bow in repentance for all the mistakes and karmic hindrances caused by our body, speech, and mind in the old year. We humbly ask the Buddhas for their compassionate forgiveness, so that we may enter the new year with a pure soul.

At this moment, as New Year's Eve arrives, we light these sticks of incense, offer fragrant flowers and sweet fruits, and pure offerings, with one sincere heart to the Three Jewels.

We humbly pray that the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas witness our sincerity, accept these offerings, and continue to bestow their compassion to protect and support us and our family in the new year. May our bodies and minds be ever joyful, may illnesses be eradicated, may our family be harmonious, and may our children be intelligent and filial. We pray for enough wisdom and perseverance to overcome all challenges and to live a mindful, virtuous life that benefits ourselves and others.

We also vow to dedicate this merit to all beings throughout the dharma realm, praying for national peace, world harmony, and the happiness of all sentient beings, that all may attain Buddhahood together.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times, 3 prostrations)

What is the prayer for Buddha and ancestors on the 1st day of Tet?

On the morning of the 1st day of Tet, after making offerings to the Buddha, many families also make offerings to their ancestors. This is a beautiful cultural tradition that reflects the principle of "When drinking water, remember the source." The prayer expresses both reverence for the Buddha and filial piety towards ancestors. First, the host performs the ceremony at the Buddha altar, then at the ancestral altar. Below is a combined prayer for both.

Part 1: Prayer at the Buddha Altar

(Perform similarly to the New Year's Eve prayer, but with adjusted content)

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

We respectfully bow to the Buddhas of the Ten Directions, the Great Bodhisattvas, and the Noble Sangha.

Today is the 1st day of the first lunar month of the year..., the first day of the new year. We, whose names are..., along with our entire family, sincerely offer incense, flowers, and offerings to express our boundless gratitude for the grace of the Three Jewels that has protected us throughout the past year.

On this first day of spring, we vow to diligently practice, uphold the five precepts, do many good deeds, and live a mindful, tolerant, and compassionate life according to the Buddha's teachings. We respectfully ask the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to witness and protect us, granting us peace in body and mind, clear wisdom, a peaceful family, and auspiciousness in all matters. We also pray for a new year of great success, laying a solid foundation for the years to come, such as the year of Binh Ngo 2026.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times, 3 prostrations)

Part 2: Prayer at the Ancestral Altar

(After praying to the Buddha, the host moves to the ancestral altar and clasps their hands solemnly)

Namo Amitabha Buddha!

We respectfully bow to our Nine Generations of Ancestors and all ancestral spirits from both paternal and maternal lines.

Today, on the first day of the first month of the new year, we, the descendants..., along with the entire family, have sincerely prepared offerings, incense, flowers, tea, and fruits, respectfully presenting them before this altar.

We sincerely remember the immense merits of our ancestors, grandparents, and parents who gave birth to and raised us. As the old year has passed, we report on our achievements and repent for our shortcomings.

Entering the new year, we respectfully pray for our ancestors and spirits to witness our sincerity and to protect and support the descendants of this house, granting us good health, peace, success in our work, a harmonious family, and progress in our children's studies.

By the grace of the Buddhas, we vow to dedicate the merits we have accumulated to our ancestral spirits, that they may be reborn in the Pure Land.

We respectfully invite you to accept these offerings.

(3 prostrations)

What is the Buddhist prayer for the votive paper burning ceremony (Hóa vàng)?

The 'Hóa vàng' ceremony (symbolic burning of votive paper) is usually performed from the 3rd day of Tet onwards. It is a ceremony of thanks and to bid farewell to the ancestors as they return to the spiritual realm. From a Buddhist perspective, burning votive paper is not the essential part, as the deceased cannot use worldly materials. Instead, the energy of sincerity and the merits from spiritual practice are the most precious gifts. Therefore, the prayer for this ceremony should focus on dedicating merits.

(Before burning the papers, the host performs a small ceremony at the ancestral altar)

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

We respectfully bow to our Nine Generations of Ancestors and all ancestral spirits.

Today is the... day of the first lunar month, and the Tet holidays are coming to a close. We offer these small gifts, incense, flowers, tea, and fruit to thank you for joining us, your descendants, during these spring days.

Now, we will burn these symbolic votive papers (clothes, money) for you to have as travel expenses. Most importantly, we vow to dedicate all the merits gained from making offerings to the Three Jewels, from our practice, and from our good deeds during these days, to you, our ancestors and ancestral spirits. We pray that through the power of the Buddhas, you may be liberated and reborn in the Pure Land.

We bid you farewell and pray that you will always protect our family for a peaceful new year. This ritual is not just a thank you for the Tet that has passed but also a prayer for peace throughout the year, until the Tet of 2040 and beyond.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times, 3 prostrations)

What are the important notes when performing Buddhist worship at home?

For the ceremony to be solemn and meaningful, the host should note the following points:

• Sincerity is paramount: Whether the offerings are simple or lavish, the most important thing is a sincere, respectful, and pure heart.
• Maintain purity of body, speech, and mind: Before the ceremony, one should bathe and wear neat, formal clothing. During the ceremony, avoid loud talk or arguments, and keep the mind focused on the Buddhas and ancestors.
• Recite prayers clearly: Prayers should be recited slowly and clearly, with full concentration and sincerity. Understanding the meaning of the prayers will make the ceremony more profound.
• Offerings must be vegetarian: Absolutely no non-vegetarian food should be offered on the Buddha altar. For the ancestral altar, if the family follows Buddhism, vegetarian offerings are also recommended to generate blessings and help the spirits attain a peaceful rebirth.
• Protect the environment: Limit the burning of excessive amounts of votive paper and incense, which cause air pollution. Sincerity is not measured by the quantity of items burned.

Tet is an occasion for returning, not just to family, but to the peace within one's soul. Practicing rituals and reciting Buddhist prayers for Tet is a wonderful way to begin a new year with the energy of compassion, wisdom, and gratitude. Wishing you and your family a new year of prosperity, good fortune, and everlasting peace in the light of the Buddhas.