Hungry Ghosts

The Hungry Ghost Festival is a traditional Chinese festival which falls on the 15th night of the seventh Chinese lunar month. This year the festival falls from 10 Aug 2010 till 7 September 2010.

It is believed by Taoists, during this month, the gates of hell are opened to free the hungry ghosts who then wander to seek food on Earth. Some of the ghosts would seek revenge on those who had wronged them during their human lives. To remember their dead/ancestors and pay tribute to them, the Chinese folks will burn incense (little ones outside houses and enormous cigar like sticks outside temples and business areas). There will also be burning of joss paper & papier-mache clothes, cars, houses, gold and other material things for the visiting spirits of the ancestors.

In Buddhism, the Hungry Ghost Festival is called Ullambana. The people believed that
one of the Buddhist's disciples found that his mother has been reborn as a Hungry Ghost with a thin throat and a big stomach (a punishment for being greedy and selfish in life). She could not eat but she was always hungry. To release her from agony, the disciple was told to chant mantras for all the hungry ghosts and to offer food to 500 months on the Hungry Ghost Festival. As a result of his filial piety, his mother was allowed to be reborn as a human and this practice has since been observed by Buddhists all over the world.

Taoists disciples were taught to care for the unleashed spirits who have been given a month's reprieve from the tortures of hell by offering them food and prayers. This way, the Taoists devotees will learn to have empathy for the dead. It also serves as a reminder to live an exemplary life in order not to be put in hell.

The much awaited event would be the traditional Chinese Opera performances and puppet shows which centered upon the values (empathy and filial piety) that is much needed in order to be a better person. The number of person attending it would be huge..as it attracts not only adults but dating couples as well as curious children. A fact that you should know is that no matter how packed the show is , the front seats are always left empty/vacant. You should remember that the show is presented in honor of the ghosts, it was fitting that those VIP seats are for them. Even if you do not understand the wordings (spoken in classical Chinese) you would still enjoy the easy plots, the rich costumes and martial arts performed by the actors.

Alas, those Chinese Opera is becoming extinct, as the young doesn't 'digg' into it anymore. The young people preferred singings and concerts. The ghosts were now entertained with pop concerts by any 'sweet young thing' that can sing a tune with shorter skirts and blouses. Hmm.. food for thoughts.. are the front seats still occupied?