Since ancient times, Vietnamese people have had the concept that “Buddha festival all year round is not equal to the full moon day of January”. So what’s the difference between worshiping on the first day of Tet and worshiping on the first day of the month? Find out in this article.

The Full Moon Day of January is also known as the Lunar New Year and the Thuong Nguyen New Year. The full moon of January is January 15 of the lunar calendar, so the full moon day of January 2023 falls on Sunday, February 5 of the solar calendar. Vietnamese people attach great importance to worshiping on the full moon day of January because this is the first full moon day of the new year.

The phrase “A year-round offering is not as good as the full moon of January” to imply the importance of preparing a decent offering to the gods and ancestors. In addition, on this day, people have the habit of going to pagodas, praying for peace and luck for everyone in the family. So how should we worship properly?


firstThe tray of offerings to the full moon of January


Vegetarian tray to worship Buddha

A full Buddha offering tray will usually include:

  • Fruit,

  • Sticky rice tea

  • Bean dishes,

  • Soups, stir-fries

Today, the tray of offerings to the Buddha can also float water with the wish that everything will be smooth and full of happiness all year long. The special thing about the Buddha altar is a must There are enough colors to represent the five elements.


How to worship the full moon in January brings happiness and good luck


Savory tray of offerings to Gia Tien

Besides the tray of offerings to Buddha, the tray of offerings to the full moon with families Non-Buddhists will be as follows, in the tray of offerings to the family, there will be salty food, with 4 bowls and 6 plates (maybe more).

  • 4 bowls will include: Ninh bamboo shoots, bowls of balls, bowls of vermicelli, bowls of sprouts.

  • 6 plates of chicken or pork, spring rolls or rolls, spring rolls can be replaced with stir-fried dishes, pickles, sticky rice or banh chung and a bowl of dipping sauce.


How to worship the full moon in January brings happiness and good luck


2The most standard January full moon prayer


The most standard January full moon prayerThe most standard January full moon prayer

The ritual of praying for the full moon of January does not need to be too complicated. Homeowners can refer to the sample text as follows:

I bow to the nine directions, the Buddhas of the ten directions, the Buddhas of the ten directions.

– I bow to Hoang Thien Hau Tho, gods and goddesses.

– I salute you, Mr. Ban Canh Thanh Hoang, Mr. Native Land, Mr. Ban Gia Tao Quan and other Sun Gods.

– I respectfully bow to Cao Tang To Chau, Cao Tang To Ty, Thuc Ba De Huynh, Co Di, and Sister Muoi, paternal and maternal surnames.

Our trustee(us) are: …

Residing at:…

Today is the full moon day of the first month of the year…, meeting the Nguyen Tieu period, the faithful and their children are sincere, repairing the incense lanterns, buying and presenting gifts, and offering them to the court.

We would like to invite you to the Day of the Emperor of the City, the Great Kings, the Indigenous Spirit of the Earth Land, Mr. Ban Gia Tao Quan, the Five Directions, the Dragon Vessel, the God of Fortune. I pray that the holy men hear the invitation, come before the judgment, witness the sincerity of enjoying the gifts.

We cordially invite the ancestors of the ancestors, the ancestors, the ancestors of their ancestors and relatives… to listen to the supplications and invitations of their children and grandchildren, to come to witness the sincerity of their hearts, and to enjoy the offerings.

I again respectfully invite the grandparents, the former masters and the late masters of the house, to come and enjoy the gifts, to testify to their sincerity, to protect our family and to have all the good things. Four seasons are not limited, eight periods enjoy peace.

Finished praying, 3 bows.


3Some frequently asked questions when worshiping the full moon in January


What time is the best time to worship the full moon in January?

The best time to worship the full moon of January is on the morning of February 5, 2022 (ie, January 15 of the lunar calendar). For busy families, the worshiping ceremony can be done in advance from January 14 (ie, February 4, 2022). The full moon worshiping ceremony in January is usually conducted at the hour of the Horse.


What is the difference between offering the full moon in January and offering it on a monthly basis?

The tray of the full moon offering in January is also quite different from the monthly offering of the full moon, because it is a rather important occasion, so the tray will also be fuller when there are more sticky rice gac, a plate of spring rolls,…

The incense of the votive flowers, as well as the khanh of the full moon offering in January, is also very different from that of the monthly offering.


What to do on the full moon day of January?

On the 14th or 15th of the full moon, people They often go to the temple to worship Buddha to pray for peace and increase their happiness.

In addition, the full moon of January is also an opportunity for everyone to doing good deeds, freeing animals, releasing lanterns, cleaning altars and worshiping ancestors,…


How to worship the full moon in January brings happiness and good luck


What should be noted when worshiping the full moon in January?

The full moon of January is the biggest full moon day of the year, so you need to pay attention When preparing the offering tray, do not make mistakes. Absolutely do not worship the full moon of January with fake flowers, fake fruits, pig’s head, fake salty vegetarian dishes.

In addition, during the full moon of January, people also abstain from:

  • Leave the rice bin in the house exposed: because the ancients believed that if the rice box in the house was empty at the beginning of the year, the whole year would be hungry.

  • Abstain from fishing: folk believe that catching fish on the full moon will bring bad luck, so it should not be

  • Abstain from swearing and swearing: if you say profanity on the full moon, it will bring a lot of trouble

  • Abstain from male and female relationships: will bring bad luck


The full moon of January is a big full moon day of the year. Hopefully, through this article, everyone knows how to worship the full moon to bring more fortune and happiness to their families.


Come to the nearest GREEN Bach Hoa to choose fresh fruits.