New Year Buddhist Temple Pilgrimage Prayer: Three Jewels & Print A4

Q: What is the difference between praying at the Main Buddha Hall, the Protector Sudatta Altar, and the Venerable Ananda Altar?

Each hall serves a distinct pedagogical role: Before the Main Buddha Sanctuary and Avalokiteshvara Shrine , you repent of past faults, vow to live ethically, pray for family health and inner peace, and dedicate merit to ancestors. At the Monastery Protector Altar (Sudatta / Anathapindika) , honoring the lay merchant who funded Jetavana Monastery, you report household affairs and pray for safety in honest business. At the Venerable Ananda Altar , honoring the disciple foremost in memory and learning, you pray for clear intellect and academic progress for children and students.

Q: Where should lamp-oil and merit donations be placed during a temple visit?

Prepare neat banknotes or a small red envelope and deposit it directly into the official Merit Box (Hom Cong Duc) or register it at the monastic desk. Funds placed in the Merit Box directly support temple maintenance, scripture publishing and charitable relief. Never scatter small bills across fruit trays, press coins onto statues or toss money into temple fish ponds.

Q: May women during menstruation or families in mourning visit a Buddhist temple at New Year?

In authentic Buddhist doctrine, the Buddhas regard all beings with equal compassion based on mental purity rather than biological cycles or social status . Women during their natural cycle who dress neatly and approach with a sincere heart may enter any Buddhist sanctuary to pray. Likewise, families in mourning are warmly encouraged to visit the temple, bow before Amitabha Buddha, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Patriarchs Hall, and dedicate merit toward the peaceful rebirth of their departed loved one.

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Recited while kneeling or standing with palms joined before the Main Buddha Sanctuary (Great Hero Treasure Hall): paying homage to the Buddhas of the Ten Directions, Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Medicine Master Buddha and Maitreya Buddha.

HALL OF MYRIAD PATHS · TRADITIONAL RITUAL SCROLL

New Year Buddhist Temple Pilgrimage Prayer: Offering Incense to the Three Jewels, Avalokiteshvara and Monastery Guardians

1. Main Sanctuary Scroll to the Three Jewels (Praying for Peace, Wisdom and Virtue)

Namo Fundamental Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha! Namo Amitabha Buddha! Namo Future Buddha Maitreya! (Three recitations, accompanied by three full prostrations or reverent bows)

Your humble disciple bows in single-minded reverence before all Buddhas throughout the Ten Directions and the Three Times of Past, Present and Future, the Sovereign Dharma, and the Noble Sangha of the Eternal Three Jewels.

Humbly bowing before Fundamental Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha of this Saha World, Amitabha Buddha of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, Medicine Master Vaidurya Light Tathagata of the Eastern Pure Land, and Future-Born Maitreya Honored Buddha.

Humbly bowing before Great Wisdom Manjushri Bodhisattva, Great Conduct Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Great Compassion Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha King Bodhisattva, and all Dharma-Protecting Bodhisattvas and Benevolent Guardians of this sacred monastery.

Today is ……………………, amidst the auspicious spring renewal opening the ………… Year.

………… ………………………………, residing at: ………….

As the radiant spring season awakens heaven and earth, ………… return with a serene heart to this ancient Buddhist sanctuary, respectfully preparing fragrant herbal incense, fresh blossoms, sweet seasonal fruits and pure vegetarian pastries to present before the Throne of the Three Jewels.

………… reflect with humility that throughout past lives and the year just concluded, clouded by ignorance, our deeds of body, speech and mind have at times fallen into error, impatience or attachment. Standing today before the compassionate countenance of the Buddhas, ………… sincerely repent of past faults and vow throughout the ………… Year to cultivate mindfulness, speak gentle words, practice generosity and uphold wholesome conduct.

May the Buddhas and Great Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions radiate compassionate light upon the world, granting favorable weather, national peace, harmony among peoples and liberation from suffering for all sentient beings.

May the boundless grace of the Three Jewels shelter our parents, elders and entire household ………… throughout the ………… Year with physical health, peaceful minds, clear wisdom, domestic harmony and upright livelihood. ………… dedicate the merit of this spring offering to our departed Ancestors of …………, praying that they may hear the Dharma and be reborn in realms of peace.

With modest offerings and wholehearted devotion before the Great Hero Treasure Hall, ………… bow in homage and pray for the compassionate witness of the Three Jewels!

Namo Fundamental Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha! Namo Amitabha Buddha! (Three recitations, accompanied by three prostrations)

IICeremonial Offerings and Preparation Checklist

In authentic Vietnamese Buddhist practice, New Year temple offerings are governed by pure vegetarianism, simplicity and inner mindfulness. At the Main Buddha Sanctuary, Avalokiteshvara Shrine and Patriarchs Hall, pilgrims offer only incense, fresh flowers, pure water, seasonal fruit, sweet rice cakes or vegetarian pastries; meat dishes, alcohol and underworld votive paper must never be placed upon Buddhist altars.

IIIInteractive 3D Altar, Layout Diagram and Ritual Protocol

Drag to rotate 360° · Click numbered pins 1 to 7 or cards below to inspect each offering

Rendering crimson-and-gold 3D ritual altar…

Classical Vietnamese monasteries follow the spatial canon of Buddha in Front, Patriarchs in Rear (Tien Phat Hau To) and Left-Right balance: the central Great Hero Hall enshrines the Three Jewels; on the pilgrim's left when facing in stands the Altar of Monastery Protector Sudatta; on the pilgrim's right stands the Altar of Venerable Ananda; and behind the main hall stands the Patriarchs Hall honoring Bodhidharma, the Truc Lam Patriarchs and founding abbots.

1

Tiered Statues of the Three Jewels (Three-Time Buddhas, Amitabha, Shakyamuni, Maitreya)Enthroned on the highest central tiers of the Main Sanctuary; receive only pure vegetarian flowers, fruit, water and tea.

2

Pair of Vaidurya Wisdom Lamps & Crane CandlesticksFlanking the main altar on the left and right, symbolizing compassionate light and awakening.

3

Grand Courtyard Bronze Censer & Main Sanctuary Incense VesselPilgrims light 1 or 3 incense sticks at the open-air courtyard censer first before stepping indoors to bow.

4

Fresh Lotus & Chrysanthemum Vase (East Vase, Pilgrim Right)Positioned on the right side as the pilgrim faces the altar, offering pure spring fragrance.

5

Five-Fruit Platter & Vegetarian Temple Pastries (West Fruit, Pilgrim Left)Positioned on the left side as the pilgrim faces the altar, arranged neatly on temple trays.

6

Pure Water Cups & Fragrant Lotus TeaSet before the central incense vessel; strictly free of alcohol or animal products.

7

Protector Sudatta Altar (Left), Venerable Ananda Altar (Right) & Merit BoxRegister household offerings at the Protector Altar first, bow at the Main Buddha Hall second, venerate Venerable Ananda third, and place donations inside the Merit Box.

Real-world reference photographs of traditional altars and offering trays

Open-license documentary photographs via Wikimedia Commons (click any photo for source file)

Pure vegetarian offering tray for Full Moon and New Moon rites. Modest household vegetarian offering featuring mung-bean sticky rice, leaf-wrapped cakes, plant-based savory dishes, dragon fruit and ripe bananas, a lit oil lamp and fresh flowers. — **Pure vegetarian offering tray for Full Moon and New Moon rites.** Modest household vegetarian offering featuring mung-bean sticky rice, leaf-wrapped cakes, plant-based savory dishes, dragon fruit and ripe bananas, a lit oil lamp and fresh flowers.
Photograph: Phuong Huy · License: Public domain · Source: Wikimedia Commons

Festive Vietnamese Five-Fruit Tray (Mam Ngu Qua). Traditional Lunar New Year fruit arrangement combining a green banana hand cradling golden pomelos, fragrant Buddha’s-hand citron and red watermelons inscribed in Vietnamese script. — **Festive Vietnamese Five-Fruit Tray (Mam Ngu Qua).** Traditional Lunar New Year fruit arrangement combining a green banana hand cradling golden pomelos, fragrant Buddha’s-hand citron and red watermelons inscribed in Vietnamese script.
Photograph: Rachel41Ng · License: CC0 · Source: Wikimedia Commons

Step-by-step ceremonial sequence before the altar

An authentic New Year Buddhist temple pilgrimage is defined not by crowded incense smoke or scattered coins, but by a calm, mindful progression from the outer Three-Gate entrance through each sanctuary hall in proper order.

Step 1
Dress modestly, prepare pure vegetarian offerings and enter via the Right Gate
Wear modest, respectful attire covering shoulders and knees. When approaching the Three-Gate Entrance (Tam Quan), enter through the right-hand gate (Provisional Gate, Cua Gia) and avoid walking through the central gate reserved for high monastic ceremonies.
Step 2
Arrange your offering tray at the Monastery Protector Altar (Ban Duc Ong) first
Proceed first to the Monastery Protector Hall (located on the left side of the Front Hall as you look in) to set down your tray of fruit, flowers and vegetarian pastries, greeting the guardian of the monastery precinct.
Step 3
Light 1 or 3 incense sticks at the main outdoor courtyard censer
Step out to the large bronze censer in the front courtyard, light 1 stick (Single-Mindedness) or 3 sticks (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), raise them level with your brow in three reverent bows, and plant them upright in the censer.
Step 4
Venerate the Three Jewels in the Main Sanctuary (Recite Variant 1)
Present fresh flowers and fruit at the central altar of the Great Hero Hall, kneel or stand on the side mats (leaving the center cushion free for the Abbot), join palms in a lotus bud and recite Variant 1 followed by three prostrations.
Step 5
Pay homage at the Protector Sudatta and Venerable Ananda Altars (Recite Variant 2)
Return to the Protector Altar on the left to recite Variant 2 for household safety and upright livelihood, then cross to the Venerable Ananda Altar on the right to pray for clear wisdom and academic diligence.
Step 6
Bow before the Avalokiteshvara Shrine and the Rear Patriarchs Hall (Recite Variant 3)
Visit the Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva pavilion to pray for health and compassion, then walk to the rear Patriarchs Hall (To Duong) to honor First Patriarch Bodhidharma, Emperor-Monk Tran Nhan Tong and the temple's founding masters.
Step 7
Place merit offerings in the Merit Box, receive vegetarian blessings and exit via the Left Gate
Deposit your voluntary contribution into the official Merit Box, bow three times in thanksgiving, retrieve your blessed fruit and pastries to share at home, and exit calmly through the left-hand gate (Emptiness Gate, Cua Khong).

IVPhilosophy of Spring Buddhist Pilgrimage, Symbolism of the Three Gates, and Pure Vegetarian Offerings

Across Vietnam, once a family has completed the midnight New Year's Eve rites and offered the first morning ancestral meal at home on the First Day of Tet, the first journey outside the household gate traditionally leads to a serene Buddhist temple. Undertaking a New Year Temple Pilgrimage is far more than a folk wish for good luck: it is a conscious return to nourish the seeds of Compassion and Wisdom at the very dawn of the lunar year.

Even before stepping into the sanctuary, the temple's Three-Gate Entrance (Tam Quan) embodies the Mahayana teaching of the Three Contemplations: the right-hand gate represents the Contemplation of Provisional Existence, the left-hand gate represents the Contemplation of Emptiness, and the central gate represents the Supreme Middle Way. Because the central gate symbolizes ultimate awakening, lay pilgrims observe the classical maxim Enter through Provisional Existence, Exit through Emptiness: walking in through the right-hand gate as they step from worldly duties into mindful reflection, and departing through the left-hand gate with unburdened hearts.

According to the tradition

Regarding ceremonial gifts, monastic discipline draws a clear line between Buddha Altars (the Main Sanctuary, Bodhisattva Shrines and Patriarchs Hall) and Folk Spirit Shrines. Because the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas embody universal compassion toward all living beings and transcend worldly craving, every offering placed before the Three Jewels must be 100% vegetarian and pure: herbal incense, fresh blossoms, clean water, seasonal fruit, sweet sticky rice and plant-based pastries. Savory meat dishes, alcohol and underworld paper money have no place on a Buddhist altar.

According to the historical record

Classical Chan masters explain that the five pure gifts presented on a spring temple tray mirror the Fivefold Dharmakaya Fragrance within the pilgrim's own heart: Incense represents Moral Precepts and Meditation; Fresh Flowers represent Wholesome Causes that precede happy results; Lamps and Candles represent Clear Wisdom dispelling confusion; Ripe Fruit represents Spiritual Maturity and Peace; and Pure Water represents Mental Calmness that washes away anger. When offered with this understanding, a single lotus stem and three breaths of mindfulness hold boundless merit.

VSacred Iconography and the Meaning of Each Sanctuary Hall in a Traditional Vietnamese Temple

Visitors entering a multi-tiered Vietnamese Great Hero Hall often wonder how the statues are arranged from top to bottom and which prayer corresponds to each shrine. The reference table below clarifies the nine principal altars of a traditional Vietnamese monastery.

Guide to the 9 principal altars and sacred statues in classical Vietnamese Buddhist temple architecture.
Altar or Sacred Triad	Location in the Monastery	Doctrinal Meaning & Focus of Prayer
Buddhas of the Three Times (Past, Present, Future)	Highest, innermost tier of the Main Sanctuary.	Three identical seated Buddhas representing the unbroken presence of awakening across all eras.
Amitabha Triad (Western Pure Land)	Second tier: Amitabha Buddha at center, flanked by Avalokiteshvara (left) and Mahasthamaprapta (right).	Embodies the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss uniting Compassion and Wisdom; focus of peace and ancestral dedication.
Shakyamuni Buddha & Avatamsaka Triad	Central tier: Historical Buddha Shakyamuni flanked by Manjushri on a blue lion and Samantabhadra on a white six-tusked elephant.	Honors the Teacher of our Saha World alongside Great Wisdom and Great Practice.
Maitreya Buddha & Nine-Dragon Birth Sculpture	Front tiers near the entrance: joyous Maitreya Buddha and the infant Buddha bathed by nine dragons.	Celebrates spring joy, forgiveness and the innate Buddha-nature within every person.
Monastery Protector Sudatta (Ban Duc Ong)	Left bay of the Front Hall (as viewed from outside looking in), depicted in crimson official robes.	Honors Anathapindika (Sudatta), the great lay patron who built Jetavana Monastery; receives petitions for household protection and honest livelihood.
Venerable Ananda Altar (Ban Duc Thanh Hien)	Right bay of the Front Hall (as viewed from outside looking in), balancing the Protector Altar.	Honors Ananda, foremost in learning and memory who recited the sutras; focus of prayers for wisdom, study and examinations.
Dharma Guardians Encouraging Good & Restraining Evil	Two towering armored guardians flanking the outer bays of the Front Hall.	Reminds every visitor crossing the threshold to examine their conscience, abandon harm and practice kindness.
Avalokiteshvara Pavilion & Ksitigarbha Hall	Side corridors or an outdoor lotus pond pavilion and memorial hall.	Avalokiteshvara relieves the suffering of the living; Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva guides departed spirits toward liberation.
Patriarchs Hall (To Duong / Rear Hall)	Dedicated hall behind the Main Sanctuary following the Buddha-Front Patriarch-Rear layout.	Enshrines First Patriarch Bodhidharma, Emperor-Monk Tran Nhan Tong and founding abbots, expressing gratitude to teachers.

VIRegional Spring Pilgrimage Customs Across Vietnam and Six Essential Temple Taboos

From ancient timber pagodas in the Red River Delta to imperial garden monasteries in Hue and vibrant Ten-Temple pilgrimages in the South, regional traditions enrich Vietnam's spring Buddhist culture while sharing universal rules of respect.

Northern Vietnam: Buddha in Front, Patriarchs and Mother Goddess Shrines in Rear

Historic Northern pagodas follow the layout of Main Buddha Sanctuary in front and Patriarchs Hall behind, often accompanied by a separate Mother Goddess shrine. Pilgrims bring conical sugar cakes (oan), green bananas, pomelos and lotus buds, greeting the Protector Altar first before ascending to the Main Sanctuary.

Central Vietnam: Solemn Monastic Chanting and Lantern Peace Services in Hue

In Hue and Central provinces, ancestral monasteries preserve strict monastic simplicity without folk spirit shrines or votive burning. Lay Buddhists wear grey robes or traditional ao dai on New Year morning to chant the Universal Gate Chapter and Medicine Buddha Sutra for national peace.

Southern Vietnam: The Ten-Temple Spring Pilgrimage (Hanh Huong Thap Tu)

Southern Buddhist families cherish the custom of visiting ten monasteries across the opening days of the First Lunar Month, paying homage at both Mahayana and Theravada temples, offering fresh lotus flowers, supporting monastic kitchens and giving alms to the needy.

Contemporary Mindful Pilgrimage: Quiet Hours and Seated Reflection

Many families today visit temples during quiet mid-morning hours, lighting a single stick of herbal incense outdoors, placing a modest contribution in the Merit Box, and sitting quietly for ten minutes before the Buddha Hall to set ethical intentions for the year.

A common misunderstanding

Six essential taboos every visitor must avoid during a New Year Buddhist temple pilgrimage:

First, never bring meat dishes, alcohol or underworld votive paper into the Main Buddha Sanctuary. Boiled chicken, pork rolls, wine and paper money belong to folk or ancestral rites, never to Buddhist altars. Even at side guardian halls, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha encourages pure vegetarian offerings and zero votive paper burning on temple grounds.

Second, never wedge small banknotes into statue hands, rock crevices or lotus ponds. Scattering loose change over sacred statues detracts from monastic dignity. Always place charitable contributions and lamp-oil donations directly inside the designated Merit Box.

Third, do not walk through the central middle gate or kneel directly on the Abbot's center cushion. Enter through the right-hand gate and exit through the left-hand gate; inside the sanctuary, bow from the left or right mats so the central axis before the main censer remains clear for monastic liturgy.

Fourth, never strike temple bells, drums or wooden fish blocks without monastic permission. Sanctuary bells and Dharma drums are sacred liturgical instruments sounded only by appointed monastics to mark chanting hours.

Fifth, do not snap branches or pluck leaves from temple trees as 'spring luck'. True spring blessing comes from receiving blessed vegetarian fruit or a calligraphy scroll of ethical wisdom, never from damaging living trees in the monastery garden.

Sixth, do not take temple vessels home without permission or pray for selfish harm against others. Before the Three Jewels, pray for peace, health, clear wisdom and ethical perseverance rather than partisan gain.

?Quick Questions

In what exact order should we visit the altars when arriving at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple at New Year?

Follow the classical six-step sequence: (1) Enter the Three-Gate archway through the right-hand gate and place your offering tray first at the Monastery Protector Altar (Ban Duc Ong) on the left of the Front Hall; (2) Step outside to the grand courtyard censer to light 1 or 3 incense sticks and bow toward the Three Jewels; (3) Ascend to the Main Buddha Sanctuary to offer fresh flowers and recite Variant 1; (4) Bow at the Monastery Protector Altar (left) and Venerable Ananda Altar (right) using Variant 2; (5) Venerate the Avalokiteshvara Shrine and Ksitigarbha Hall; (6) Walk to the rear Patriarchs Hall (To Duong) to honor Bodhidharma and the founding abbots before visiting any auxiliary shrines.

Why must offerings at the Main Buddha Hall be strictly vegetarian and free of votive paper money?

The Buddhas and Great Bodhisattvas embody universal awakening and non-harming compassion (Ahimsa) toward all living beings, having transcended worldly consumption. Bringing slaughtered meat or burning paper replicas at a Buddha altar contradicts core Buddhist precepts. Therefore, only fragrant incense, fresh flowers, pure water, seasonal fruit and vegetarian pastries are offered at the Main Sanctuary, Avalokiteshvara Shrine and Patriarchs Hall.

What is the difference between praying at the Main Buddha Hall, the Protector Sudatta Altar, and the Venerable Ananda Altar?

Each hall serves a distinct pedagogical role: Before the Main Buddha Sanctuary and Avalokiteshvara Shrine, you repent of past faults, vow to live ethically, pray for family health and inner peace, and dedicate merit to ancestors. At the Monastery Protector Altar (Sudatta / Anathapindika), honoring the lay merchant who funded Jetavana Monastery, you report household affairs and pray for safety in honest business. At the Venerable Ananda Altar, honoring the disciple foremost in memory and learning, you pray for clear intellect and academic progress for children and students.

If the temple prohibits burning incense inside the wooden sanctuary hall, how should we offer our prayer?

To protect centuries-old timber halls from fire and smoke, most monasteries place a large bronze censer in the open courtyard. Simply light 1 or 3 incense sticks at the outdoor courtyard censer, then step into the Main Sanctuary empty-handed, join your palms in a lotus-bud gesture at your chest, recite the Main Sanctuary Prayer silently or softly, and perform three prostrations. In Buddhist teaching, the Incense of the Heart (sincere mindfulness and virtue) outweighs any quantity of physical smoke.

Where should lamp-oil and merit donations be placed during a temple visit?

Prepare neat banknotes or a small red envelope and deposit it directly into the official Merit Box (Hom Cong Duc) or register it at the monastic desk. Funds placed in the Merit Box directly support temple maintenance, scripture publishing and charitable relief. Never scatter small bills across fruit trays, press coins onto statues or toss money into temple fish ponds.

May women during menstruation or families in mourning visit a Buddhist temple at New Year?

In authentic Buddhist doctrine, the Buddhas regard all beings with equal compassion based on mental purity rather than biological cycles or social status. Women during their natural cycle who dress neatly and approach with a sincere heart may enter any Buddhist sanctuary to pray. Likewise, families in mourning are warmly encouraged to visit the temple, bow before Amitabha Buddha, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Patriarchs Hall, and dedicate merit toward the peaceful rebirth of their departed loved one.

New Year Buddhist Temple Pilgrimage Prayer: Offering Incense to the Three Jewels, Avalokiteshvara and Monastery Guardians

IPersonalize Your Scroll, Select Ritual Date and Read Prayer

1. Select Solar Date (Auto-converts to Lunar Date, Sexagenary Cycle & Auspicious Hours)

2. Officiant and Household Details (Live Scroll Personalization)

3. Choose Prayer Variant, Enter Altar Mode or Print A4 Scroll

New Year Buddhist Temple Pilgrimage Prayer: Offering Incense to the Three Jewels, Avalokiteshvara and Monastery Guardians

IICeremonial Offerings and Preparation Checklist

Group 1: Herbal Incense, Wisdom Lamps & Fresh Lotus or Chrysanthemum Blossoms

Group 2: Five-Fruit Platter, Vegetarian Sticky Rice & Traditional Temple Pastries

Group 3: Lotus Tea & Pure Merit Donation Box Envelope

IIIInteractive 3D Altar, Layout Diagram and Ritual Protocol

Real-world reference photographs of traditional altars and offering trays

Step-by-step ceremonial sequence before the altar

IVPhilosophy of Spring Buddhist Pilgrimage, Symbolism of the Three Gates, and Pure Vegetarian Offerings

VSacred Iconography and the Meaning of Each Sanctuary Hall in a Traditional Vietnamese Temple

VIRegional Spring Pilgrimage Customs Across Vietnam and Six Essential Temple Taboos

?Quick Questions

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