|
The Chinese
Hungry Ghost Festival has origins in both Taoism and Buddhism.
To the Taoists, the 15th day of the seventh moon is the birthday of the
Emperor Chinghsu, a god of the underworld, who at this time gives
expression to his benevolent heart by releasing all the ghosts in Hades to
spend the entire month, beginning with its first day, enjoying the
sacrifices of food that are provided in the world of the living.
According to Buddhist legend, this festival originated in a trip which
Maudgalyayana, a disciple of the Sakyamuni Buddha, made into Hades to save
the soul of his suffering mother there. He finally achieved this goal by
having priests offer vast amounts of food to the "hungry ghosts" of Hades
(those souls that have no living relatives to care for them) on the 15th
day of the seventh month. This charitable activity became a custom which
the faithful continue to practice even today to appease and satisfy the
"Good Brethren," as hungry ghosts are politely termed.
The Chinese Ghost Festival falls on the 15th day of the seventh month of
the Lunar calendar. On this day it is believed that the "Gates of Hell"
are opened and that the dead return to visit their living relatives. The
Chinese feel that they have to satisfy the imprisoned and hungry ghosts in
order to get good fortune and luck in their lives.
Historically, families have offered sacrifices of newly harvested grain to
departed ancestors on this day, which also coincides with the Buddhist
Ullambana, Deliverance Festival and the Taoist Ghost Festival, called
"Chung Yuan" in Taoist terminology. Since each of these traditions in some
way honors the spirits of the departed, the seventh lunar month has come
to be known as Ghost Month, celebrated as a time when the "Good Brethren",
ghosts from the underworld, come back to earth to feast on the victuals
offered by the living. Over time the Ullambana Festival and Ghost Festival
have melded together to become the present day Chung Yuan Putu or
"Mid-origin Passage to Universal Salvation."
The festival is currently celebrated with ceremonies at homes, temples,
associations, and guilds. Prayers are offered to the dead and offerings of
food such as chicken, vegetables, fruits, bean curd and white rice are
placed at street corners and roadsides to appease the spirits. This is
believed to prevent the wandering spirits from entering their homes and
causing disturbances in their households.
Offerings are also made by burning replica money notes, which are also
known as ‘hell money’. Some families also burn paper houses, cars and even
paper television or radio sets to give to their dead relatives. The
Chinese feel that these offerings reach the ghosts and help them live
comfortably in their world. |
