Tam Tai is a significant concept in Vietnamese culture, representing a three-year cycle of bad luck that affects individuals of certain ages. This belief has led to the practice of performing a special ritual, called “cung tam tai,” to ward off the negative influences and bring better fortune. Let’s delve into the reasons behind this ritual, its impact, and the proper way to perform it to ensure a smooth and prosperous life.
1 Understanding the Need for the “Cung Tam Tai” Ritual
Tam Tai represents a three-year cycle of bad luck that needs to be ritually addressed.
Tam Tai, or the “three-year calamity,” is a period of three consecutive years when individuals of certain ages are believed to experience a string of unfortunate events and challenges. These years are considered a time of heightened vulnerability to accidents, failures, and overall bad luck. By performing the “cung tam tai” ritual, one seeks to appease the gods and mitigate the negative influences, bringing better fortune and a smoother life.
2 Understanding the Impact of the Tam Tai Hạn
The Tam Tai hạn can affect one’s physical and mental health, relationships, and finances.
During the Tam Tai years, individuals may experience a range of negative impacts on their lives. This includes psychological and physical health issues, relationship problems and frequent arguments, financial losses, and a general sense of bad luck. Specifically, one may notice mood swings, irritability, road or water accidents, setbacks in their career or business ventures, and obstacles in their projects.
3 Performing the “Cung Tam Tai” Ritual in 2024
Choosing the Right Day for the Ritual in 2024
For the year of the Giáp Thìn, the chosen day for the ritual is the 14th of every lunar month.
According to traditional beliefs, each year of the Tam Tai cycle is associated with a specific deity and a fixed day and direction for the ritual. For the year of the Giáp Thìn (2024), the chosen day for the ritual is the 14th of every lunar month, and the direction is southeast. It is important to identify the correct deity, direction, and timing before performing the ritual.
Offerings and Ritual Items for the Tam Tai Ritual
Prepare ritual items and offerings, including a plaque, a set of symbolic items, and a “tam sên.”
- Prepare a plaque with the name of the person performing the ritual. This plaque should be affixed to a wooden stick and placed in the center of the altar, with the inscribed side facing the person performing the ritual.
- Gather a set of symbolic items, including a small bundle of hair, fingernail and toenail clippings, and a small amount of loose change, representing the person performing the ritual.
- Prepare a “tam sên,” which includes three bowls of cooked rice, three bowls of boiled shrimp (or three bowls of boiled chicken), a plate of fruits, a vase of flowers, three small cups, three betel leaves, three packs of gold and silver paper, three cigarettes, and three sticks of incense, along with a cup of tea and a cup of rice, and two paper figures representing a male and a female.
The Proper Direction for the Tam Tai Ritual in 2024
In 2024, the direction for the Tam Tai ritual is southeast.
As mentioned earlier, each year of the Tam Tai cycle is associated with a specific direction. For the year of the Giáp Thìn (2024), the direction for the ritual is southeast. This direction is believed to be auspicious for warding off negative influences.
Arranging the Altar for the Tam Tai Ritual
The Tam Tai ritual is believed to help minimize the impact of bad luck. To ensure the best outcome, arrange the altar as follows: place the vase of flowers on the right, the plate of fruits on the left, and the incense burner in the center. Then, place the candles, followed by the three cups of wine, and finally, the plaque in the very back, with the inscribed side facing the person performing the ritual.
The Steps of the Tam Tai Ritual
Follow the proper steps for the Tam Tai ritual, including reading the prayer and performing the necessary rituals.
Begin the ritual by reading the prayer for the Tam Tai ceremony. After reading the prayer, bow three times and prostrate twelve times, and then wait for the incense to burn out. After the ritual, take the small bundle of hair, fingernail and toenail clippings, and loose change, and discard it at a three-way intersection. It is important not to look back while returning home.
If discarding the bundle is not possible, burn it along with the paper money, praying for the elimination of accidents and misfortune. The rice and salt can be scattered on the road, and only the altar table and utensils (plates, cups, etc.) should be brought back home. If there is a temple involved, the clothes worn during the ritual can be left there to pray for peace.
4 Prayer for the Tam Tai Ritual in 2024
Recite the following prayer during the Tam Tai ritual in 2024.
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật! (Repeat 3 times)
Nam mô Hữu Thiên chí Tôn Kim Quyết Ngọc Hoàng Thượng đế
We respectfully pray to the Deity of the Land and the Deceased
Today is the … day of the … month of the … year
My name is: “…”
I reside at: “…”
With sincerity, I have prepared incense, flowers, and offerings to perform the Tam Tai ritual. I humbly pray to the deities to accept my offerings and protect me from the three-year calamity, turning bad luck into good fortune.
I bow my head and pray with all my heart.
5 Incantation for the Tam Tai Ritual in 2024
Recite the following incantation during the Tam Tai ritual in 2024.
Nam mô a di đà phật! (3 times)
Nam mô hữu thiên chí tôn kim quyết Ngọc Hoàng thượng đế!
We respectfully invite the presence of the Great General of the Sky, … (A) of the Tam Tai … (B) Obstacle God of Light
Today is the … day of the … month of the … year
My name is: “…”
I currently reside at: “…”
Today, I have prepared incense, flowers, and offerings to perform the Tam Tai ritual. I respectfully invite the Great General of the Sky, the Tam Tai God of Wood, and the Obstacle God of Light to witness and accept my offerings. I pray for protection from disasters and a year filled with blessings. May spring bring good fortune, summer bring peace, autumn take away the three-year calamity, and winter welcome a hundred blessings!
May the deities accept my offerings!
6 Important Notes for the Tam Tai Ritual
Maintain silence and focus during the Tam Tai ritual.
- Maintain silence and focus during the ritual, refraining from speaking to anyone. Direct your prayers and intentions solely to the deity.
- Follow the ritual steps, offerings, and incantations accurately and with sincerity.
- Ensure that the incantations and prayers are addressed to the correct deity for the specific year.
The above guide provides a comprehensive understanding of the Tam Tai ritual, including the steps to prepare the offerings and perform the ceremony. We hope that this knowledge will be of great value and interest to our readers.
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