The 15th day of the seventh lunar month, known as the Vu Lan Festival or Mid-July Lunar Festival, is one of the most significant occasions in Vietnamese culture. This day is not only a time to remember and show gratitude to ancestors but also a time to perform offerings for wandering souls without refuge. Proper preparation and execution of the Mid-July Lunar offering ritual not only demonstrate respect but also bring peace and good fortune to the family. Below is a detailed guide on how to prepare and carry out the ritual.

The 15th day of the seventh lunar month, known as the Vu Lan Festival or Mid-July Lunar Festival, is one of the most significant occasions in Vietnamese culture. This day is not only a time to remember and show gratitude to ancestors but also a time to perform offerings for wandering souls without refuge. Proper preparation and execution of the Mid-July Lunar offering ritual not only demonstrate respect but also bring peace and good fortune to the family. Below is a detailed guide on how to prepare and carry out the ritual.

The Significance of the Mid-July Lunar Offering Ritual

The Mid-July Lunar Festival holds special spiritual meaning in Vietnamese folklore. According to tradition, this is the day when the gates of the underworld open, allowing souls to return to the earthly realm. The ritual consists of two main parts: the offering to ancestors and the offering to wandering souls. The former is a chance for descendants to express gratitude and remember their ancestors, while the latter is an act of charity to help those souls without refuge.

Preparing for the Mid-July Lunar Offering Ritual

1. Choosing the Date and Time

The 15th day of the seventh lunar month is the official date, but the offering ritual can be performed from the 1st to the 15th of that month. Families often select an auspicious date and time, aligned with the head of the household’s astrological sign, to conduct the ritual, seeking peace and prosperity for the family.

2. Preparing the Offerings

Offerings are a crucial part of the ritual. Depending on the family and region, the offerings may vary, but they generally include the following components:

• Ancestor Offering: The ancestor offering tray typically includes traditional dishes such as boiled chicken, sticky rice, spring rolls, soup, and other savory dishes. Additionally, fruits, wine, tea, incense, candles, and paper money, and votive items to burn for the ancestors are included. A vegetarian offering is also a common choice to symbolize purity and spirituality.

• Wandering Soul Offering: The offering for wandering souls is usually simpler, including items like plain porridge, rice, salt, candy, popcorn, fruits, and water. Essential items include paper money, paper clothes, and other paper-made goods to be burned as offerings for the souls. Many families also prepare a vegetarian meal or light snacks for the offering.

• Buddha Offering: If there is a Buddha altar in the house, a modest vegetarian offering with fruits, vegetarian cakes, tea, and clean water is prepared to offer to Buddha, praying for protection and peace.

3. Setting Up the Altar

The ancestor altar should be cleaned, neatly arranged, and decorated with fresh flowers, lamps, and candles. On the altar, offerings are arranged in an orderly fashion, with the main dishes in the center, fruits on the sides, and incense and candles at the front. The offering tray for wandering souls is typically set up in the yard or in front of the house, with the items neatly arranged.

Executing the Mid-July Lunar Offering Ritual

1. Ancestor Offering

The ancestor offering is the first ritual performed on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. The head of the household lights incense and prays, inviting the ancestors to partake in the offerings, while wishing for peace and protection for the family. The prayer is often prepared in advance or recited from a ritual book, with respectful and heartfelt words expressing gratitude and the wishes of the descendants.

After the offering, the incense is left to burn completely before the offerings are taken down. The votive paper is then taken outside to be burned, and the head of the household pours wine or tea over the burning paper as a final gesture to send the ancestors off.

2. Wandering Soul Offering

The wandering soul offering is usually performed in the late afternoon or evening, after sunset. The head of the household prepares the offering tray outside in the yard or in front of the house, lights incense, and recites a prayer inviting the wandering souls to accept the offerings. Since this offering is meant to be a charitable act, the prayer is often simple, asking for the souls to find peace and not disturb the family.

Once the incense has burned down, the offerings are distributed to children or the needy, as it is believed to bring luck and blessings to the family. The rice and salt are scattered on the road, sharing with the wandering souls. The votive paper and other paper items are also burned as part of the farewell to the souls.

3. Buddha Offering

If there is a Buddha altar, the Buddha offering is performed last. The head of the household lights incense, prays, and presents the vegetarian offering on the Buddha altar. The prayer typically seeks peace, health, and blessings for the entire family. The incense and candles are left to burn naturally and should not be extinguished prematurely.

Conclusion

The Mid-July Lunar offering ritual is a significant part of the spiritual life of Vietnamese people. Proper preparation and execution of this ritual not only show respect to ancestors but also offer a chance to accumulate merit, bringing peace and good fortune to the family. Carrying out the Mid-July Lunar offering ritual with sincerity and an understanding of the customs will help the family appreciate the sacredness and deep meaning of this festival in the nation’s cultural heritage.