Kitchen Gods' Farewell Prayer (23rd of the 12th lunar month)
Văn khấn Ông Táo 23 tháng Chạp
Tiễn Táo Quân chầu trời
About this text
The Kitchen Gods' Farewell Prayer is a traditional offering recited on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, when families bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods as they ascend to Heaven to report on the household's affairs. This prayer is usually read at the Kitchen Gods' altar in the kitchen.
Preparation & offerings
Prepare offerings including: ceremonial hats and robes for the Kitchen Gods, live carp, fresh flowers, fruits, clean water, wine, betel and areca, sweets, incense, and candles. The host should dress respectfully and offer with sincerity.
Bracketed parts are for you to fill in (name, address, lunar date, wish). The mobile app fills them in automatically.
Text
- 1
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)
- 2
I bow to the Nine Directions of Heaven, the Buddhas of the Ten Directions, all Buddhas everywhere.
- 3
I respectfully bow to the Jade Emperor and all deities who govern this land.
- 4
I respectfully bow to the Kitchen Gods, Lords of the Hearth and Protectors of the Home.
- 5
I, the devotee, am [your full name], residing at [your address].
- 6
Today is the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month.
- 7
With sincere heart, I present incense, flowers, offerings, ceremonial hats and robes, carp, clean water, betel and areca, sweets, and respectfully offer them to you.
- 8
I respectfully invite the deities to descend before the altar and witness my sincerity.
- 9
Today, as the Kitchen Gods ascend to Heaven, I ask you to report all household affairs to the Jade Emperor.
- 10
Throughout the past year, thanks to your blessings, my family has enjoyed peace and smooth affairs.
- 11
If there have been any shortcomings, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness and protection.
- 12
I humbly pray that you bless my family in the coming year with peace, health, and all wishes fulfilled.
- 13
May our home be safe, prosperity increase, and our children be dutiful and progress in their studies.
- 14
I respectfully ask the deities to report good things to Heaven and bless our family with well-being.
- 15
I pray that when you return, you will continue to protect us, keep our hearth warm, and our family united.
- 16
I, together with my whole family, bow our heads in deep gratitude and respect.
- 17
I wish the deities a safe journey and a smooth audience in Heaven.
- 18
Though my offerings are humble, my heart is sincere. Please accept and witness my devotion.
- 19
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)
Source & license
Văn khấn cổ truyền Việt Nam (truyền thống dân gian), biên tập lại theo cấu trúc chuẩn bởi Vietnam Pagodas
License: Văn bản truyền thống công hữu · Bản biên tập: CC BY-SA 4.0 (Vietnam Pagodas)
Large print, saved reading position and auto-filled prayers in the Vietnam Pagodas app.