The other side of Hungry Ghost Festival
-
Traditional Chinese beliefs hold that the seventh lunar month, or commonly known as the Hungry Ghost Month is an annual event when the gates of Hell realm open, and departed souls return to visit the living.
During this so-called inauspicious month, incense and food are offered to deities and the “wandering souls”, and activities like home renovations and wedding ceremonies are out of the question for fear of bad luck. Other taboos include avoiding late night outings, swimming and even painting your nails black.
But is the month-long Hungry Ghost Festival really nothing more than an ill-omened period? Well, apparently not.
In fact, the seventh lunar month is an auspicious time for Buddhists – a joyful and blessed month, in particular the 15th day of this period where Buddhists celebrate the “Ullambana Festival”, also known as “Buddha’s Joyful Day”.
Focusing on the values of filial piety and gratitude - both to the departed loved ones and even those who are still around, prayers are made by chanting to help in the liberation of one’s deceased parents and relatives.
Buddhists believe that Hungry Ghosts are a realm of suffering beings. During the Festival, many food and other offerings are made. More importantly, Buddhists offer prayers to help these beings gain merit and to be liberated from their sufferings.'
Specially-made water chestnut paste was prepared for departed babies who can't take solid food.
Auspicious Ullambana hampers waiting to be offered to the Buddha and the Noble Sangha (monkhood) by devotees in exchange for health, wealth and happiness for themselves and their parents.
The Ullambana festival embraces the teachings on Filial Piety and Gratitude.
A man writing his family details like names and home address on the Mandala incense paper for offerings as a way of merits accumulation for his family and loved ones.
Made of pure butter, these light offerings are very auspicious - known to dispel darkness and give rise to wisdom.
A lady offering a butter lamp for blessings.
'Anyone who wishes to benefit their parents of this life and their past seven life times can make their offerings on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month
Devotees participating in the chanting session.
-
Joining the Sangha (Buddhist monastics) in prayers (recitation of sutras, the teachings of the Buddha) and offering food to the Sangha... Dharma (Buddha teachings) talks are also conducted to elucidate the teachings and further the understandings of the lay devotees.'
What are some of major myths to debunk regarding this festival?
'...That hungry ghosts only exist during the seventh month. We, Buddhists, believe that there is always a realm of beings that are around all the time. It's just that during this time, with so many offerings being made, they are like children at a party ... lots of activity and excitement!
Devotees waiting for the grand offering of auspicious Ullambana hampers.
Over at Kwong Men San Phor Kark See monastery, devotees gathered at the Big Buddha hall for the start of chanting.
'The practice of Ullambana festival is practiced mainly in the Mahayana tradition though in Singapore, it is celebrated in both Mahayana and Theravada centres alike.' - Venerable Chuan Guan from Kong Meng San monastery.
'Buddhists celebrate the Ullambana Festival as a Buddhist practice according to the Ullambana sutra where food offerings are made to the Sangha (Monastics) in order to aid in the liberation of one's departed relatives.' -Venerable Chuan Guan of Kong Men San monastery.
'One major aspect about this festival is that many people associate some level of fear with it, owing to the 'Hungry Ghosts' label. In the Buddhist teachings, hungry ghosts are in a state of suffering with insatiable hunger, hence their namesake. Instead of having fear and dread towards ghosts, it is with Loving Kindness and Compassion that we view ghosts, for they like all sentient beings seek happiness and fear suffering.'
Through the prayers and practice of food offering, Buddhists are further given teachings on the importance of filial piety and gratitude,
Families with their bags of paper treasure chests and other incense offerings waiting to burn for their departed relatives.
Two ladies spotted hard at work folding incense papers to fill up the colourful 'Louis Vuitton' paper treasure chest...
Kong Meng San monastery's burn centre.
Rows after rows of ancestral tablets lined up.
-
During this so-called inauspicious month, incense and food are offered to deities and the “wandering souls”, and activities like home renovations and wedding ceremonies are out of the question for fear of bad luck. Other taboos include avoiding late night outings, swimming and even painting your nails black.
There are other taboos like not picking up random stuff you found on the floor at night...