Offering Prayer to the Kitchen Gods, Tao Quan

What is Folk Practice?

Offering Prayer to the Kitchen Gods, Tao Quan

The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is called Ong Cong Ong Tao Festival. This is the day when the Kitchen God, Tao Quan, returns to Heaven to report to the Jade Emperor the good and bad deeds of the family on earth during the past year.

According to legend, “Ong Cong Ong Tao” are the God of Kitchen, who look after the life of the whole family. “Tao Quan” is derived from three Gods: the God of Soil, the God of House and the God of Kitchen. However, people still know it collectively as Ong Tao.

“Tao Quan” is the God that decides the luck, risk and disaster of the homeowner. Besides, he also prevents the invasion of the devil and keep the family’s peaceful. Therefore, the worshiping ritual of “Ong Cong – Ong Tao” was meant to pray for prosperity and completeness. Ong Tao will go to Heaven and report to the Jade Emperor about the work, manners of every family in the world.

Prepare three sticks of incense, flowers, tea and fruit, and place them before the altar in the kitchen.

Below are the prayers for the Kitchen Gods, excerpted from the book Traditional Vietnamese Prayers - Thanh Hoa Publishing House:

Prayer to the Kitchen Gods

Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!

We humbly bow before the Honored Kitchen Gods,
Guardians of the hearth, witnesses of all within our home.

I am… (your name / family’s name),
Living at… (your address),
On this day of… (date), with sincere heart,
We offer incense, fruits, and humble offerings,
As a token of respect and gratitude.

Thank you, revered Kitchen Gods,
For watching over our home through the past year,
For keeping the fire warm, the family united,
And protecting us in peace and harmony.

As you ascend to Heaven to report to the Jade Emperor,
We pray that you speak of our good deeds,
Forgive our mistakes,
And bless our household with health, prosperity, kindness, and wisdom.

May our family be filled with warmth and happiness,
Our work smooth, our children diligent and respectful,
Our elders strong, and our home full of joy and abundance.

Please continue to guide and protect us,
Lighting the way with compassion and good fortune.

With deepest reverence,
We offer this prayer.

Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!

The Kitchen