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The Monthly Offering to Wandering Souls: Chant, Ritual, and Proper Offering

Monthly offerings to wandering spirits (on the 2nd and 16th of the lunar calendar) are a traditional ritual in Vietnamese culture. Learn about the offerings, rituals, and incantations to ensure these monthly ceremonies are performed correctly.

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7 December, 2024

1. What is the Monthly Offering to the Hungry Ghosts?

The monthly offering to the hungry ghosts, or cô hồn, is a centuries-old tradition among Vietnamese people, usually held on the 2nd and 16th of the lunar month. This ritual expresses compassion and shares the suffering of wandering souls who are not worshipped, and it is believed that these offerings will prevent them from causing trouble and bring protection to the family.

Let’s explore the monthly cô hồn ritual, including the offerings, prayers, and proper setup, in the following article.

Related: When is the Best Time to Worship the Ancestors in 2024?

2. What Should Be Included in the Monthly Offering to the Hungry Ghosts?

According to Taoist and Buddhist beliefs, the Ghost Gate opens during the seventh lunar month, allowing evil spirits to enjoy the offerings of humans. This period is considered the unluckiest time of the year.

The day for offering to the hungry ghosts is not always fixed on the seventh lunar month.

However, the day for offering to the hungry ghosts is not always fixed on the seventh lunar month, as Vietnamese spiritual beliefs and those influenced by Chinese culture suggest that not all evil spirits are taken away by the ghost messengers. Some remain in the human realm, suffering as hungry ghosts or hungry ghosts according to Buddhist teachings.

The offerings for the hungry ghosts may vary depending on the region.

To avoid disturbances and disruptions in their livelihoods, the common people have the custom of offering to the hungry ghosts on the 2nd and 16th of the lunar month, as these days are believed to have the strongest yin energy. The offerings may vary depending on the region, but a typical offering should include the following items:

1 plate of rice
12 small bowls of rice or 3 bowls of rice
12 bars of brown sugar
Popped corn, and a 15cm-long piece of sugarcane
A set of paper money and joss paper
3 cups of water, 2 candles, 3 incense sticks, and 1 incense burner

Among these items, the plate of rice, paper money, joss paper, incense sticks, and candles are essential, especially the rice. Other items can be substituted, but according to folk beliefs, the absence of rice may lead to an unsuccessful ritual, and the hungry ghosts may cause trouble afterward.

Related: The Significance of the Full Moon Festival in Vietnamese Culture

3. How to Perform the Monthly Offering to the Hungry Ghosts

The Ideal Time for the Offering

Unlike the offering to the ancestors, the monthly offering to the hungry ghosts is performed on the 2nd and 16th of the lunar month, and the best time is usually in the evening, from 5 PM to 7 PM. This is when the yin energy is at its strongest, and the sunlight is dim, creating a favorable environment for the wandering souls to enjoy the offerings without causing disturbances.

The ideal time for offering to the hungry ghosts is in the evening.

Offerings for the Hungry Ghosts on the 2nd and 16th of the Lunar Month

The arrangement of offerings may vary depending on the family and their circumstances.

The arrangement of offerings may vary depending on the family and their circumstances, but it should follow these general rules:

The incense burner should be placed in the center, with the incense sticks in front of it, and the candles placed next to the burner.
The plate of rice and salt should be placed parallel to the candles and incense burner.
Place the 3 cups of water behind or in front of the incense burner, depending on the space available and the shape of the offering tray.
Arrange the 12 bowls of porridge, soup, or rice, along with the fruits, cakes, and candies, behind the incense burner. Ensure that everything is neatly and tidily arranged. While some follow the rule of placing the offerings according to the directions (East, West, etc.), there is no strict rule for the monthly offering to the hungry ghosts as long as all the items are present.
Place the gold and silver paper money next to the plate of rice and salt.

You can also purchase ready-made offering sets to save time.

Nowadays, instead of preparing the offerings themselves, people can purchase ready-made offering sets, which are available on the 2nd and 16th of the lunar month from street vendors or markets. When performing the ritual, keep the following in mind:

The host should wear formal attire, and the offerings should preferably be vegetarian.

The host should wear formal attire, and the offerings should preferably be vegetarian to avoid the strong smell of meat.
Keep children, pregnant women, and the elderly away from the ritual, as their weaker physical and spiritual conditions may make them vulnerable to disturbances by the wandering souls.
Wait for the incense to burn out completely, then sprinkle the rice and salt in the four directions and eight cardinal directions. Make sure the gold and silver paper money is completely burned to ensure the peace of the wandering souls and prevent them from entering the house and causing trouble.
Do not consume the offerings yourself; instead, give them away or donate them to those in need.

4. Prayers for the Monthly Offering to the Hungry Ghosts

First Prayer

First prayer for the monthly offering to the hungry ghosts.

Respectfully invite the Three Jewels of Buddhism to witness

Today is the …… day of …… month …… year (in the lunar calendar).

My name is: …………………, age ……………….

I live at …, street…, ward (commune) …, district (county) ……………, province (city): ………………

We respectfully invite all invisible and unseen beings, from the mighty to the small, the hungry ghosts, the ghosts of soldiers and civilians who died in battle or accidents, to come and enjoy the offerings.

With sincerity, we set up a sacred space, prepare a feast of nectar, and pray for peace and protection for our home and ourselves. Through this act of worship, we hope to gain blessings and good fortune for our family. We pray for success in our business ventures, for our family to be protected and prosperous, for our children to excel in their studies, and for world peace and happiness for all beings.

Homage to the Buddha, Homage to the Dharma, Homage to the Sangha. May all beings be led to the highest stage of enlightenment.

– Mantra for transforming food: (to increase the amount of food)

Nam Mô Tát Phạ Đát Tha, Nga Đà Phạ Lô Chỉ Đế, Án Tám Bạt Ra, Tam Bạt Ta Hồng (repeated 7 times)

– Mantra for transforming water: (to increase the amount of water)

Nam Mô Tô Rọ Bà Da, Đát Tha Nga Đa Da, Đát Điệt Tha, Án Tô Rô, Tô Rô, Bát Ra Tô Rô, Bát Ra Tô Rô, Ta Bà Ha (repeated 7 times)

– Mantra for offering:

Án Nga Nga Nẵng Tam Bà Phạt Phiệt Nhựt Ra Hồng (repeated 7 times).

Second Prayer

Second prayer for the monthly offering to the hungry ghosts.

Today is the ……………. We are ……………..

Living at …………………………………

With sincerity, we set up a sacred space, prepare a feast of nectar, and pray for peace and protection for our home and ourselves. Through this act of worship, we hope to gain blessings and good fortune for our family. We pray for harmony and prosperity within our family, for our descendants to excel in their studies, and for world peace and happiness for all beings.

We respectfully invite the hungry ghosts who reside in the Kunlun Mountains

In the three realms of existence, there are countless hungry ghosts

Endless as the Ganges River

Men and women, young and old

Oh, wandering souls, hungry ghosts

In life, you endured suffering and pain

In death, you rely on a bowl of rice and a leaf

How pitiful is your fate

Born into this world, who knows why

We offer this food and incense in accordance with the Buddha’s teachings

Though it may not be much, it is still a gift

May it help you on your journey to the heavens

All of you, above and below, please come and sit down

Do not be shy, take what you need

Through the power of this mantra, little becomes much

May the noble ones share these offerings with all beings

May the compassionate Buddha bless and guide you

Do not worry about having or not having

Homage to the Buddha, Homage to the Dharma, Homage to the Sangha

May all beings be led to the highest stage of enlightenment.

Mantra for transforming food: Nam mô tát phạt đát tha nga đa, phà lồ chí đế án tam bạt ra, tam bạt ra hồng (repeated 3 times)

Mantra for offering: Án nga nga nẵng tam bà phạt phiệt nhựt ra hồng (repeated 3 times).

Third Prayer

Third prayer for the monthly offering to the hungry ghosts.

Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (repeated 3 times)

We respectfully invite: The Great Treasury King Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

We respectfully invite: The local City God, the local Earth God, the Kitchen God, and all other deities who govern this area.

Today is the full moon day of the … month in the … year (lunar calendar)

We, the faithful, whose name is: …, living at …, street…, ward…, district…, city (province)…

Sincerely invite: On the day of pardoning the hungry ghosts, the gates of the underworld open, and the hungry ghosts without refuge, without graves, hiding in the roots of trees, in the grass, in the markets, on the roads, without thin clothes, wandering day and night, suffering from cold and hunger, regardless of the reason for their death, are all invited to enjoy the offerings prepared by the faithful: rice, soup, porridge, popcorn, betel, areca nut, salt, fruit, lanterns, money, and red and green clothes.

Please bless and protect us, so that we and our family are healthy, our wealth and career prosper, and our family is peaceful and harmonious. May good things come and bad things leave.

Caution!

Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (repeated 3 times)

5. Frequently Asked Questions about the Monthly Offering to the Hungry Ghosts

Should We Offer to the Hungry Ghosts Every Month?

The frequency of offering to the hungry ghosts may vary depending on the family. Those with larger businesses may offer more frequently to avoid potential disturbances.

What is the Difference Between the Monthly Offering to the Hungry Ghosts and the Offering During the Seventh Lunar Month?

Both rituals share the common goal of expressing compassion and sympathy for the wandering souls who died unjustly and are suffering in the afterlife, either as hungry ghosts or evil spirits.

The monthly offering to the hungry ghosts is intended for those souls who are still attached to the earthly realm and are unable to find peace. It is usually performed on a smaller scale compared to the offerings during the seventh lunar month.

During the seventh lunar month, it is believed that the gates of the underworld open, and a large number of evil spirits are released. Therefore, more elaborate offerings are made to appease them and prevent disturbances. In contrast, the monthly offerings are made