The full moon of the seventh month, also known as the Vu Lan Festival, is one of the most important holidays for Vietnamese people. It is a time to express our respect and gratitude to our ancestors and parents, and it is also the day of Pardoning the Dead.
On this day, many people are concerned about choosing the right time to perform the rituals for good luck. A common belief holds that the full moon festival of the seventh month must be celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. However, according to feng shui expert Nguyen Song Ha, this is not entirely accurate.
The Full Moon of the Seventh Month (Vu Lan Festival) is a Significant Holiday for Vietnamese People
Favorable Days and Times for the Full Moon Festival of the Seventh Month
You do not necessarily have to perform the rituals on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. Instead, you can choose from the following auspicious days and times:
11th day of the seventh lunar month:
Favorable hours: Morning from 7 am – 9 am and 9 am – 11 am; Afternoon from 3 pm – 5 pm.
Note: The day Canh Tuat is inauspicious for those born in the years of the ox, dragon, goat, and those with the heavenly stem Giáp (birth years ending in 4: 1944, 1954, 1964, etc.).
12th day of the seventh lunar month:
Favorable hours: Morning from 7 am – 9 am; Afternoon from 1 pm – 3 pm.
Note: The day Tân Hợi is inauspicious for those born in the years of the snake, monkey, and those with the heavenly stem Ất (birth years ending in 5: 1945, 1955, 1965, etc.). (The year of the tiger is a compatible sign and is not considered inauspicious.)
13th day of the seventh lunar month:
Favorable hours: Morning from 5 am – 7 am; Afternoon from 3 pm – 5 pm or 5 pm – 7 pm.
Note: The day Nhâm Tý is inauspicious for those born in the years of the rabbit, horse, and rooster, and those with the heavenly stem Bính (birth years ending in 6: 1946, 1956, 1966, etc.).
14th day of the seventh lunar month:
Favorable hours: Morning from 5 am – 7 am and 9 am – 11 am; Afternoon from 3 pm – 5 pm.
Note: The day Quý Sửu is inauspicious for those born in the years of the dragon, goat, dog, and those with the heavenly stem Đinh (birth years ending in 7: 1947, 1957, 1967, etc.).
Important Things to Keep in Mind for the Full Moon Festival of the Seventh Month
Expert Nguyen Song Ha also emphasizes a special note: In all twelve lunar months of the year, the 10th day of the lunar month is always the day of the Moon God of Wealth. Therefore, it is absolutely imperative not to perform rituals for the Full Moon Festival on the 10th day, as it may violate the sanctity of the ceremony. If you wish to pay respects to the God of Wealth and perform the Full Moon rituals on the same day, offer your respects to the God of Wealth first, followed by the Full Moon rituals.
If you decide to perform the rituals on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, choose the morning hours from 7 am – 9 am or 9 am – 11 am, or the afternoon hours from 1 pm – 3 pm. Note that this day, Giáp Dần, is inauspicious for those born in the years of the snake and monkey and those with the heavenly stem Mậu (birth years ending in 8: 1948, 1958, 1968, etc.). (The year of the pig is a compatible sign and is not considered inauspicious.)
Choosing the right day and time for the rituals ensures not only a smooth ceremony but also brings good luck and peace to the family.
Incantation for the Full Moon Festival of the Seventh Month
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật (recite three times)
We bow to the nine directions of the sky and the ten directions of the Buddha.
We respectfully bow to the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha and the Arhat Maudgalyayana.
Today is the full moon of the seventh month……
We, the faithful, are…
Living at……
Our family sincerely prepares incense, flowers, and offerings to present before the altar.
We sincerely invite the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha and the Arhat Maudgalyayana to accept our offerings.
We sincerely invite the Jin Nian Current Thai Suiti Sage, the local city god, the local earth god, the stove god of our home, and all the gods and spirits who govern this area to descend and witness our offerings.
We humbly ask for your presence, scrutiny, and witness.
Today, on the full moon of the seventh month, the first Mid-Autumn Festival of the Ninth Son of the Nine Sons in the Lower House of the Three Sons and Nine Sons, is the day when the dead are pardoned and coincides with the Vu Lan孝 festival. We are grateful for the protection of the Three Jewels, the Buddha, and the Heavenly Gods, and the great virtues of the community’s gods and our ancestors. We don’t know how to repay it.
Therefore, we respectfully offer this silver ceremony to express our sincerity and wish to receive your blessings. Please protect and bless us and our family so that we may always be healthy, peaceful in old age and youth, united in the right path, prosperous in wealth, and prosperous in our family.
We humbly express our sincerity and ask for your witness!
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật (recite three times)
“Ancestral Rice Offering for Abundance and Peace”
Most families place rice and salt on their ancestral altars during special occasions. But when is the right time to put rice and salt on the altar?
The Ultimate Guide to Buying Betel and Areca Nuts for Ancestor Worship: Uncover the Secret to Attracting Wealth and Prosperity
Chewing betel and areca nuts is an integral part of Vietnamese culture, often used as an offering during worship. However, not everyone knows the correct way to prepare and present these offerings. We are here to guide you through the process, ensuring your offerings are not only culturally significant but also perfectly prepared.
“The Sweet Dilemma: Unraveling the Mystery Behind Watermelon’s Absence on Ancestral Altars”
Watermelons are a popular fruit, loved for their juicy sweetness and nutritional benefits. However, in the past, people avoided offering this fruit as a ritual incense burner.
The Ancestral Guide to Incense Offering: 3 Taboos of Lighting Banana Incense to Attract Wealth and Fortune
When choosing bananas for offerings, be sure to avoid these three major taboos, lest you offend the God of Wealth.
“The Significance of Houseplants in Spiritual Spaces: Elevating Your Altar with Greenery”
Wealth deities are revered by many, especially those in business, but there are important considerations to keep in mind when offering prayers and seeking blessings.
