According to folk beliefs, the altar is a place of sanctity, a place where the living remember the deceased, pay their respects as well as look to the source. Vietnamese families often have the habit of cleaning the altar on the occasion of worshiping Cong Ong Tao to prepare for the arrival of the new year.
December 23 every year, which is handed down by folklore, is the day to see off Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao to heaven. On this day, families often prepare a tray of offerings to see off Mr. Cong Ong Tao to report what happened in the family during the past year. Therefore, this is also an occasion for people to clean up the altar in the house to welcome the new year.
Many people have the notion that they have to wait until after December 23, that is, when Mr. Cong Ong Tao has returned to worship the heavens before he can clean the altar, otherwise it will cause alarm to the gods.
According to cultural experts, there is currently no record of this. During the year, people can choose any auspicious day to clean the altar. The time most people choose is at the end of the year, combined with cleaning the altar on the occasion of worshiping Cong Ong Tao.
Before the worshiping ceremony of Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao, every family usually cleans the altar, cleans the incense bowl, and trims the foot of incense. The withdrawal of incense on the day of Mr. Cong Ong Tao is especially important, it needs to be done respectfully, carefully, and avoid offending the sacred ones.
There are many customs to cover the altar at the end of the year, here is the most standard way to withdraw incense on the day of Mr. Cong Ong Tao:
The person who arranges the altar and takes out the incense on the day Mr. Cong Ong Tao needs to be a well-mannered, conscientious person in worship work. Before setting up the altar, removing incense on the day of Mr. Cong Ong Tao, this person needs to take a shower and then start work. Need to pound a few ginger roots, soak with white wine first (so soak a little more to cover the worship, the excess is used to treat colds, so there is no fear of waste).
Before setting up the altar to buy a plate of fresh fruit and put it on the incense burner, ask permission of the gods and ancestors to know about the time for the altar, invite ancestors and gods to stay away to let their children and grandchildren do the work (many The owner has been doing this since the day before).
Prepare a table above the red cloth, or red paper to place the tablet. If the altar has the same ancestral tablet with the gods, it must be placed in two different places to avoid confusion. Wait for the incense to fade, let’s start work.
The person who arranges the altar and takes out the incense on the day Mr. Cong Ong Tao needs to be a well-mannered, conscientious person in worship work.
In case you want to change the ashes of the incense bowl, the owner must prepare in advance. It is recommended to use fresh glutinous rice straw to pick it up, dry it carefully and store it away. At the end of the year, the altar will be burned and replaced with ashes. If it is not convenient, the owner can buy ashes at stores selling worship items. The process of replacing the incense bowl should take a piece of clean cloth and spread it on the table, then lift the incense bowl, pour all the incense and ashes on paper and then proceed to cover it.
To clean the ancestral tablets, you must use wine – ginger, or warm water, not cold water. If there is a tablet of a buddha or a saint, wipe it first, then pour out the old water and replace it with new water to wipe the ancestral tablet. Wipe the altar with clean water, then wipe it with ginger wine, perfumed water. The worshiping of the altar and the removal of incense on the day of Mr. Cong Ong Tao should be done before the worshiping ceremony of the Tao Quan worshiping the heavens.
There are 2 cover times:
Prune the foot of incense but leave at least 3-5-7-9 trees.
In principle, only the vase, water bowl, copper top, lamp, etc. should be moved, while the incense bowl and the positioned tablet should not be moved. When cleaning the bowl of incense, the tablet must be kept by hand to prevent it from rotating, then take a clean, damp towel, spray with wine mixed with crushed ginger, perfume, five flavors … wipe it clean.
Before setting up the altar, remove the incense sticks on the day Mr. Cong Ong Tao can trim the incense sticks, but he must leave at least 3-5-7-9 trees. The foot of incense has been trimmed, it should be burned and dropped ashes into rivers, streams or fertilized trees, should not be thrown around. Withdrawal of incense on the day of Mr. Cong Ong Tao sincerely and seriously to show respect to the above person.
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
I bow to the heavens of the nine directions, the buddhas of the ten directions, and the buddhas of the ten directions.
I bow to my father, Emperor Ngoc Hoang, Hoang Thien Hau Tho, Five directions earth dragon circuit earth god Dong Tru Tu Manh Tao Phu Than Quan.
My trustee is: ……………………Residing at:…………………….
I bow to the spirits of the seven ancestors, the ancestors and the aunts of all generations, the strong man, the red girl, that boy’s family line… (what is your family name) in… (where is the house, where is the hometown).
Today is the 23rd of December (or the 30th of December… or any other day….), I would like to ask for permission to return to the altar of the ancestors to keep it clean to see off the old year and welcome the new year to come. clean and sanctify the altar for worship to be solemn and spacious, hope that the holy Buddhas, their ancestors, their ancestors, their great grandfather, their red little girl, their red boy…, approve.
Namo Amitabha Buddha
Namo Amitabha Buddha
Namo Amitabha Buddha