According to Chinese folklore, the Ghost Month is a time when spirits of their dead ancestors and relatives visit the world of the living. As such, they refrain from doing things such as traveling, starting a business, or moving to a new home as these may upset the spirits.
The Ghost Month, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival or Zhong Yuan Jie, traces its origins to Taoism and Buddhism beliefs. It falls on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, based on Chinese traditions. At least eight Asian countries observe a month-long ritual, which starts on Aug. 19 and ends on Sept.
Don't get married in the Chinese Hungry Ghost month!
Therefore, Chinese people, especially the older generation, believe that there are many taboos and customs in the ghost month. For example, it is not appropriate for wedding, moving, breaking ground, residence relocation, etc.
The festival, which originated from the story of Mu Lian, commemorates his filial piety towards his mother. The legend is also believed to be the origin of the Chinese custom of making offerings and praying for one's ancestors during this annual festival.
Ghost Month can be traced back to Buddhist and Taoist beliefs. According to tradition, spirits are said to break free during this time to roam the living world. This is observed on the seventh month in the Lunar calendar, from early to mid-August until early to mid-September.
In Taiwanese culture, the seventh lunar month is called Ghost Month. According to legend, during this period, the gates of the afterlife are opened, and ghosts roam the living world. The presence of the ghosts is believed to increase the risks of accidents and elevate the likelihood of bad outcomes in general.
Hungry ghost is a concept in Buddhism, and Chinese traditional religion, representing beings who are driven by intense emotional needs in an animalistic way. The terms 餓鬼 èguǐ literally "hungry ghost", are the Chinese translation of the term preta in Buddhism.
The Ghost Festival is the Buddhist-inspired festival held throughout China and East Asia on the full moon (fifteenth day) of the seventh lunar month. In modern China it is known as the Ghost Festival (guijie) or Rite of Universal Salvation (pudu).
Rituals during the festival include burning incense and joss paper offerings for the wandering ghosts. You might be familiar with “hell money” that the living can burn for the dead to use in the afterlife; people also burn paper gifts like iPhones and designer bags for the dearly departed.
Clutter, dirt and dust are considered negative elements so these hinder positive energy to do its job. Feng shui experts also suggest playing upbeat and relaxing tunes as happy music keeps unwanted spirits away. If you have a water fountain at home, keep it on as well.
During Ghost Month, children, senior citizens and weak people in general, are advised not to go out at night in fear of getting attacked by bad spirits. It is also believed that Ghost Month brings bad luck to couples, families and businesses.
Set up an altar with offerings for passing spirits.
Place joss sticks, incense, and traditional food offerings like uncooked rice, peanuts, candies, raw noodles, fruit, rice wine, beer, bags of salt, even sugar. It's perfectly okay to eat these foods afterwards.
It is believed by many that during this time, souls from hell are allowed to roam the earth, which may bring 'bad luck' to the living. For this reason, many entrepreneurs avoid doing business throughout the stretch, thinking that whatever they do is likely to be unsuccessful.
According to Chinese folklore, the Ghost Month is a time when spirits of their dead ancestors and relatives visit the world of the living. As such, they refrain from doing things such as traveling, starting a business, or moving to a new home as these may upset the spirits.
Traditionally, three bowls of rice, three sets of chopsticks, and three cups of Chinese tea can be found in Ghost Festival altars to symbolize the realms of heaven, earth, and the underworld. Other offerings range from small snacks like peanuts, candy, to big plates of raw noodles, unpeeled fruit, and uncut meats.
People around the city make offerings during the Hungry Ghost Festival. In 2011, the festival was recognised as part of China's intangible cultural heritage. Its roots date back more than 2,000 years and it is celebrated by Buddhists and Taoists.
Manichaeism teaches an elaborate dualistic cosmology describing the struggle between a good, spiritual world of light, and an evil, material world of darkness.
Fasting is a feature of ascetic traditions in religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Mahayana traditions that follow the Brahma's Net Sutra may recommend that the laity fast "during the six days of fasting each month and the three months of fasting each year".
A parody religion or mock religion is a belief system that challenges the spiritual convictions of others, often through humor, satire, or burlesque (literary ridicule).
Chinese traditions run alongside Filipino customs and it reflects on how many locals observe traditions like Lunar New Year, Feng Shui, Mooncake Festival, and the Ghost Month.
Money Taboos
Because the gates of hell are believed to be opened during this time, there are multiple taboos that the Chinese advise people to avoid, such as: investing, selling assets, and buying a house or a car, lest you bring forth bad luck or misfortune.
The period August 8 to September 6 marks the Hungry Ghost Month. During this time, according to Chinese folklore, souls of the deceased would roam around and bring potential harm and other misfortune to the living. Hacel Dela Cruz and 3,970 others like this.