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The January Moon: A Guide to Harnessing Lunar Energy for Prosperity and Abundance.

The Full Moon of the first lunar month is the most significant one in spiritual culture. Make sure to do these things to bring more blessings to your family.

Administrator

20 February, 2024

The 15th day of the first lunar month is the most important full moon festival of the year. The old saying, “A year of worshipping cannot compare to the worshipping on the 15th day of the first lunar month,” emphasizes the significance of this day. On this day, remember to do the following to attract good fortune and prosperity:

Visit the pagoda

Visiting pagodas is a tradition for many Vietnamese during the full moon festival. The 15th day of the first lunar month is considered an auspicious day for people to pray for peace and good fortune in the new year.

When participating in pagoda visits on this day, it is important to adhere to the solemn rituals and respect the sacred space of worship. Therefore, one should dress appropriately and offer vegetarian food as a part of the rituals, aiming for spiritual refinement. It is advisable to put away your phone and any distracting thoughts to fully focus on listening to the sutras, praying, offering incense, and listening to the monks’ teachings. This is also an opportunity for people to pray for their families, loved ones, and blessings for themselves and those around them. Afterward, you can stroll around the pagoda grounds to enhance your sense of tranquility and relaxation.

Do charity or good deeds

Charity is not just about donating money; it can also mean helping others and doing good deeds. True charity is not about the amount of money given but the act of kindness, whether it’s through encouraging words, a supportive look, or helping neighbors with chores. Doing good deeds is one of the best ways to accumulate blessings and bring happiness and meaning to your life, while also contributing to building a community filled with love and sharing.

Life Release

In its true sense, life release means rescuing trapped or endangered animals and returning them to their natural habitat. However, life release practices today often lead to negative consequences for the released animals due to the cycle of capturing, releasing, and recapturing.

Therefore, performing life release in the right way will bring great blessings. When practicing life release, the most important thing is to choose suitable locations to release the animals into nature without the threat of human interference or environmental hazards. Opt for secluded areas free from hunting or other dangers.

Clean the ancestral altar and prepare offerings

The 15th day of the first lunar month is when families typically clean their ancestral altars, showing respect and gratitude to their ancestors. However, during the cleaning process, it is important not to move the incense burner to maintain the sanctity of the worship space.

After cleaning the altar, the preparation of offerings should be done carefully and thoughtfully. Fresh flowers should be arranged elegantly, symbolizing reverence and joy. The offerings for the ancestors should be presented neatly and attractively.

Release floating lanterns

The release of floating lanterns is usually done in the evening, when the sky is dark. Each lantern carries wishes and blessings for oneself and loved ones. The sight of these lanterns twinkling in the sky creates a sense of peace and solemnity in the sacred space of the full moon festival.

This activity is not just an opportunity to make wishes but also a chance to connect with traditional and spiritual culture. Additionally, releasing floating lanterns is a way to express gratitude for the blessings and happiness one has received.

Frequently asked questions

This day marks the most important full moon festival of the year. The belief is that a year’s worth of worship cannot compare to the worship done on this day, emphasizing its significance in attracting good fortune and prosperity.

There are several traditions and rituals you can participate in. Visiting a pagoda is a common practice, where one can pray for peace and fortune in the new year. It’s important to dress appropriately, offer vegetarian food, and fully immerse yourself in the rituals by listening to sutras and praying. Doing charity or good deeds is another way to accumulate blessings and bring happiness to your life, as it’s not just about donating money but also helping others through kind actions and words. Life release, when done correctly by returning animals to safe and suitable natural habitats, brings great blessings as well.

Cleaning the ancestral altar and preparing offerings is a common tradition. Families show respect and gratitude to their ancestors by carefully cleaning the altar while maintaining the sanctity of the worship space. Fresh flowers should be arranged elegantly, and offerings presented neatly. Releasing floating lanterns is another ritual, usually done in the evening. These lanterns carry wishes and blessings, creating a sense of peace and solemnity during the full moon festival.

Life release, in its true sense, means rescuing trapped or endangered animals and returning them safely to their natural habitat. However, modern practices often lead to negative consequences due to the cycle of capturing and releasing.

It is important to adhere to the solemn rituals and dress appropriately. Offer vegetarian food and focus on the spiritual aspect by listening to sutras, praying, and offering incense. Put away your phone and any distractions to fully immerse yourself in the experience.