Worshipping on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month at home is a vital traditional ceremony in Vietnamese spiritual culture. Preparing the offering tray and sacrificial items with care and sincerity allows your family to show respect and gratitude toward ancestors and pray for the wandering spirits' salvation. This ceremony also brings peace and happiness to the family throughout the year.

The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is one of the most significant religious observances in Vietnamese culture, encompassing two important ceremonies: the Vu Lan Festival, a time for filial piety, and the Hungry Ghost Festival. This occasion allows descendants to honor and remember their ancestors while also praying for wandering spirits. Worshipping on this day at home is a longstanding cultural and spiritual tradition that demonstrates respect and gratitude toward ancestors and offers solace to restless spirits.

1. The Significance of the 15th Day of the 7th Lunar Month

1.1. Vu Lan Festival

Vu Lan is a major Buddhist festival closely linked to the story of Maudgalyayana (Mục Kiền Liên) who saved his mother from the realm of hungry ghosts. Since then, Vu Lan has become a time for descendants to express gratitude and respect for their parents and ancestors. Families typically prepare offerings to commemorate and pay tribute to their ancestors, as well as to pray for the well-being and longevity of their parents.

1.2. Hungry Ghost Festival

The Hungry Ghost Festival is another crucial part of the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, dedicated to offering food and essentials to wandering spirits with no relatives to worship them. It is believed that on this day, the gates of hell open, allowing spirits to return to the earthly realm. Therefore, offerings are prepared to appease and comfort these spirits, helping them to find peace and potentially be liberated from their suffering.

2. Preparing the Offering Tray for the 15th Day of the 7th Lunar Month

Preparing the offering tray for this occasion requires care and sincerity. Below are the essential steps to prepare an offering tray at home:

2.1. Ancestral Offering Tray

The ancestral offering tray is an essential component of this day, symbolizing respect and gratitude toward one’s ancestors. This tray typically includes traditional dishes and can be prepared according to the family's means and resources.

• Sticky Rice: Red sticky rice or mung bean sticky rice is indispensable, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
• Boiled Chicken: A whole boiled rooster with spread wings and an upright head symbolizes respect.
• Pork Sausage, Pork Pie: These dishes represent completeness and fullness.
• Fried Spring Rolls: Fried spring rolls (nem rán) bring balance and harmony to the offering tray.
• Soup: Bamboo shoot soup or meatball soup are light and wholesome.
• Fruits: Fresh fruits such as bananas, pomelos, oranges, and apples are arranged beautifully.
• Tea and Wine: A cup of fragrant tea and a cup of strong wine are essential offerings to present to the ancestors.

2.2. Buddhist Offering Tray

For families practicing Buddhism, a vegetarian offering tray is also prepared to pray for peace and liberation. This tray typically consists of light, meatless dishes:

• White Rice: White rice made from fragrant, sticky rice.
• Tofu: Dishes made from tofu such as fried tofu or braised tofu are common vegetarian options.
• Stir-Fried Vegetables: Stir-fried vegetables like morning glory, bok choy, or broccoli are healthy and light.
• Vegetarian Soup: Mushroom soup or gourd soup are delicious and nutritious vegetarian soups.
• Sweet Soup and Fruits: Lotus seed sweet soup or mung bean sweet soup along with fruits like grapes, apples, and pears are offered to Buddha.

2.3. Offering Tray for Hungry Ghosts

The offering tray for hungry ghosts is the most crucial part of the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, prepared to offer food and comfort to wandering spirits. This tray typically includes:

• Rice and Salt: Rice and salt are basic offerings, usually sprinkled around the house after the ceremony to ward off evil spirits.
• Plain Porridge: Plain, watery porridge is easy to consume and intended for the spirits.
• Candies: Various candies such as mooncakes or cookies are beautifully arranged.
• Sugarcane: Sugarcane is cut into pieces and displayed on the tray.
• Paper Clothes: Paper clothes and joss paper are burned after the ceremony to send to the spirits.

3. Sacrificial Items for the 15th Day of the 7th Lunar Month

In addition to food, other sacrificial items are essential, such as joss paper, paper clothes, incense, and candles. Each item has a specific meaning, reflecting the sincerity and respect of the worshippers.

3.1. Incense and Candles

Incense and candles are crucial sacrificial items symbolizing reverence and sincerity. Incense is lit to connect the earthly and spiritual realms, while candles bring warmth and solemnity to the ceremony.

3.2. Joss Paper

Joss paper is symbolic money and gold that is burned after the ceremony to send to the spirits. It is believed that burning joss paper allows the spirits to receive and use it in the afterlife. Besides money, joss paper may include items like houses, cars, clothes, and utensils, representing necessary items for the spirits.

3.3. Paper Clothes

Paper clothes are an indispensable part of the offering for hungry ghosts, typically burned along with joss paper. These paper garments are prepared to ensure that the spirits will have sufficient clothing in the afterlife, relieving them from the cold and hunger.

3.4. Rice and Salt

Rice and salt are simple yet vital items in the offering tray for hungry ghosts. After the ceremony, rice and salt are often sprinkled around the house, especially in the corners, courtyard, and alleyways, to ward off evil spirits and bring peace to the household.

4. How to Worship on the 15th Day of the 7th Lunar Month at Home

Worshipping on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month at home is a solemn ceremony that expresses respect and filial piety. Below are the steps to perform the ceremony at home:

4.1. Choosing the Date and Time

The 15th day of the 7th lunar month typically falls on the 14th or 15th of the lunar calendar. However, some families may choose to perform the ceremony earlier, from the 12th to the 14th. The ceremony can take place in the morning or afternoon, depending on the family's convenience.

4.2. Arranging the Offering Tray

The offering tray is arranged respectfully on the altar or a large table set in the courtyard. The ancestral and Buddhist offering trays are placed on the main altar, while the offering tray for hungry ghosts is placed outside the house or at the front door.

4.3. Reciting Prayers

After arranging the offering tray, the head of the household lights incense and begins reciting prayers. The prayer for the 15th day of the 7th lunar month is usually brief and sincere, including inviting the ancestors to receive the offerings, praying for the family's safety, and inviting the wandering spirits to partake in the offerings, asking them to leave peacefully without disturbing the household.

4.4. Burning Joss Paper

After the ceremony, joss paper and paper clothes are burned to send to the spirits. The head of the household should take care when burning joss paper to avoid fire hazards.

4.5. Sprinkling Rice and Salt

After the ceremony, rice and salt are sprinkled around the house, particularly in the corners, yard, and alleyway, to ward off evil spirits and bring peace to the family.

5. Important Notes When Worshipping on the 15th Day of the 7th Lunar Month at Home

• Sincerity: The most important aspect of worshipping on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month is sincerity. Whether the offering tray is simple or elaborate, what matters most is the respect and gratitude of the worshippers.
• Performing the Ceremony Correctly: It is important to follow the steps correctly, from preparing the offering tray, reciting prayers, burning joss paper, to sprinkling rice and salt.
• Ensuring Safety: When burning joss paper, it is important to be cautious to avoid fire hazards and maintain a clean environment.
• Avoiding Killing: On the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, it is advisable to refrain from killing animals, as this day is dedicated to praying for the spirits' salvation.

Worshipping on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month at home is a vital traditional ceremony in Vietnamese spiritual culture. Preparing the offering tray and sacrificial items with care and sincerity allows your family to show respect and gratitude toward ancestors and pray for the wandering spirits' salvation. This ceremony also brings peace and happiness to the family throughout the year.

The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is not just a religious ritual but also an opportunity for everyone to remember their roots, show gratitude for their parents' and ancestors' upbringing, and express respect for them. Perform this ceremony with all your heart and reverence to bring luck and peace to your family.