In the spiritual beliefs of Vietnamese people, the 15th day of the 7th lunar month is considered one of the most important and sacred holidays of the year. This is not only an occasion for Vu Lan to show filial piety, to show respect and gratitude to grandparents, parents and ancestors, but also an opportunity for each person to practice the spirit of compassion and sharing through the custom of offering to sentient beings or to wandering souls. In modern life, many families still wonder how to prepare a full and proper offering tray and when to do it to preserve the sacred meaning of the holiday.
In Vietnamese folk beliefs, the full moon of the seventh lunar month is one of the most important full moon days.
According to the lunar calendar, the 15th day of the 7th lunar month in 2025 (15/7 lunar calendar) will fall on Saturday, September 6th. This is considered the main day, the most ideal time for families to fully perform the worship rituals. Besides the main day, families can also worship a few days before the 15th day to avoid peak and crowded days. However, the most important thing is still the sincerity and respect of the homeowner.
In folk beliefs, the seventh lunar month is also known as “ghost month” – the time when the gates of hell open and the souls return to the living world. Therefore, in addition to worshiping Buddha and ancestors, the custom of worshipping the wandering souls and giving alms to homeless souls has become a beautiful humane trait, expressing the spirit of compassion and charity of the Vietnamese people. Although there are different concepts about “ghost month”, the general spirit of the 15th day of the seventh lunar month is still kindness, gratitude and sharing.
In the spiritual life of Vietnamese people, the full moon offering tray in the 7th lunar month not only has the meaning of remembrance but also shows the spirit of sharing and kindness.
A full traditional Full Moon Festival usually includes three separate offerings: a Buddha offering, an ancestral offering, and an offering to the wandering souls. However, depending on the conditions, circumstances, and beliefs of each family, each family can adjust accordingly, as long as it shows sincerity from the heart.
For Buddhist families, preparing a Buddha worshiping tray is an indispensable part. This offering tray is usually vegetarian, with dishes made from vegetables, tofu, mushrooms... simple but pure. Some families may only need a plate of five fresh fruits. The Buddha worshiping ceremony is usually held during the day, in a peaceful space. After the worshiping, the family will enjoy the blessings together, feeling the peace from the vegetarian dishes. The Buddha worshiping ceremony not only shows respect to Buddha but is also a way for the homeowner to direct their mind towards goodness.
This is considered the most important offering tray on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, expressing the deep remembrance and gratitude of descendants to their grandparents and ancestors. The offering tray for ancestors can be a savory or vegetarian tray, depending on the tradition of each family. A savory tray often has dishes such as boiled chicken, pork, fish... which are elaborately prepared. Vegetarian trays are equally rich with tofu dishes, vegetable salads. The basic indispensable offerings include betel and areca nuts, incense, lamps, fresh flowers, fruits, wine, water and sticky rice. Each dish is meticulously prepared and solemnly arranged to show respect.
The offering tray for wandering souls is usually displayed outdoors, reserved for homeless and wandering souls. The characteristic of this offering tray is that the offerings are often divided into small portions, expressing the desire to give alms and share with many souls. Common offerings include thin white porridge (usually divided into 12 small bowls), rice balls, salt and rice to be sprinkled in all directions after the offering, along with fruits, candies, popcorn and colorful paper clothes. Unlike indoor offerings, the offering ceremony for all living beings is usually held in the evening, after the sun has set, especially at the hour of the Rooster (5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.). Offerings at this time are considered to be in line with folk beliefs about the presence of souls.
Each offering tray on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month has its own meaning. The offering tray for Buddha shows the tendency towards goodness and Buddha. The offering tray for ancestors is an opportunity for descendants to remember and express filial piety. The offering tray for sentient beings reminds each person of the spirit of compassion and sharing. All create a humane spiritual cultural picture, guiding people to good values, while preserving and promoting the precious traditions of the Vietnamese people.
