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Hungry Ghosts from Buddhism view
Is the 7th Lunar Month the Ghost's Season?
In India, the rainy season lasts for three months yearly. It
extends from the 15th day of the 4th lunar month to the 15th day
of the 4th lunar month to the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.
Hence it is very inconvenient for the Sangha to seek alms during
this season.
The Buddha decided that all monks must practice diligently during
these three months while staying indoors.
After practicing for three months, many members of the sagely
assembly attained The Way. Thus, the Buddhas in the ten directions
rejoiced over their attainment.
In addition, on this day, the members of the sagely assembly came
together to discuss their individual progress during these three
months. All merits and demerits had to be declared openly to the
assembly. Thus, this day is also known as the "Sangha Pravarana
Day."
At the same time, Venerable maudgalyayana's mother was suffering
in the Realmof Hungry Ghosts. She had committed heavy negative
karma due to stinginess and greed. She could not be saved by the
spiritual strength of her son alone, neither could she be saved by
the spiritual strength of her son alone, neither could she be
saved by all the earth spirits and heavenly gods. She could only
be saved by the combined strength of the sagely Sangha in the ten
directions who had attained the Way.
Hence, the Buddha instructed Venerable Maudgalyayana to make
Ullambana offering to the sagely Sangha on the 15th day of the 7th
lunar month or "The Buddhas' Happy Day". By doing so, the parents
of the present and past lives would receive the blessings and
their negative karma would be purified. Thus, this day is also
known as "The Day of Filial Piety".
For thousands of years, people have mistaken "The Day of Filial
Piety" in the 7th lunar month as the "Ghosts' Season". They say
that the gates of the Realm of Hungry Ghosts would open in this
month. From here, we can see how superstitious the Chinese can be!
If the Buddha had taught Venerable Maudgalyayana to make the "Ullambana
Offering" on the 15th day of the 6th lunar month (or on any other
day), then, isn't it true that the 6th lunar month would be
regarded as the "Ghosts' Season"?
Ghosts are always around every day. Who says that they only appear
the 7th lunar month?
Six Realms of Rebirth
The realms of the gods, demigods, human beings, animals, hungry
ghosts and the hells. These are the six realms in which one may be
reborn after death.
The Realm of Hungry Ghosts
This is one of the six realms of rebirth. The ghosts in this realm
are constantly suffering from hunger. The ghosts with slight
merits from past lives become the spirits residing in forests in
the mountains, at graveyards or in temples, and thus they are able
to obtain offerings of food or unwanted food from the human world.
The ghosts without merits from past lives are constantly unable to
obtain food and flames even burst out from their mouths due to
extreme thirst. The causes of rebirth as a hungry ghost are
miserliness, greed and not letting go.
With courtesy of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
Hungry Ghosts from Biblical view
The 7th lunar Hungry Ghost Festival
This festival is usually celebrated around August, throughout the
entire 7th lunar month, and is popularly known as Zhong Yuan Jie.
It demonstrates the concern in Chinese religious belief for the
pitiable existence of souls not cared for by the living. It is
especially dedicated to the kui (hungry ghosts) released
from their abode in hell to roam the earth during this month.
Philosophical and Doctrinal Basis
In Taoism, the gates of hell are opened on the first day of the
7th lunar month. This allows the kui (uncared for spirits
or spirits under judgment that are locked in hell) to roam the
earth to eat their fill before being locked up for another year.
The belief is that once the gates are opened, these kui
will come out to look for food and if no one has prepared any
offerings for them, they will go into homes to help themselves.
Fearful of such visits, people are generally quick to make
offerings to appease and ward off the hungry ghosts.
Interestingly, the first day of the 7th lunar month was also the
day the gates of the first temple in Jerusalem were first opened
(2 Chronicles 7), and the day the Feast of Tabernacles commences
(Leviticus 23:34; Nehemiah 8).
Biblical Approach: There is no biblical basis for
the opening of the gates of hell for the kui to roam the
earth once a year. The Bible is clear that once a person passes on
from life on earth, he is held without parole in Hades/Sheol or
the bosom of Abraham (Luke 16:22ff) to await judgment on the Last
Day (Romans 14:10b; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Christians, therefore,
are not to hold any belief in this festival. It is, however,
interesting for us to note a contrasting parallel. For Christians,
the first day of the 7th lunar month is a day of great rejoicing,
a time when the gates of the temple in Jerusalem were opened and
the blessings of the Lord poured out. In Revelation, the imagery
is that of a river of the water of life flowing out from the
throne of God (Ezekiel 47:1; Revelation 22:1ff). Whereas for many
Chinese, it is a time of great fear as the gates of hell are
thrown open and the kui are released to roam the earth.
Popular association
Buddhists associate Zhong Yuan Jie with the myth of Mu
Lian. The story goes that Mu Lian was a very filial son
who, after the death of his mother, dreamt one night that she was
in hell. In the dream, his mother appeared and said to him, "I am
hungry, I am not being taken care of and am poorly treated." Mu
Lian was so moved and touched by this dream that he decided to
bring food down to hell to feed his mother. To do so, he had to
endure many trials and difficulties in an attempt to gain favour
from various gods. After much hardship, he ultimately reached hell
and was "reunited" with his mother. This story is told to
encourage filial piety towards parents and elders.
Biblical Approach: One of the 10 commandments of our
Lord is that we honour our father and mother, that we might enjoy
length of days on earth (Exodus 20:12). Filial piety towards our
parents is, therefore, definitely encouraged by our Lord Jesus
Christ (Matthew 15:1-9). There is, however, no basis to the myth
of Mu Lian. In addition, no living human being may, by any
means, descent into hell to visit a departed relative. Believers
should in no way hold to or propagate this myth.
Related Events and Practices
As part of the celebrations of this festival, a ge tai
(variety show) is often held, primarily to entertain the kui
in the hope that when distracted or happy, they will not look for
or disturb living beings. The first night of the ge tai is
traditionally meant for the kui to attend. Another practice
is to hold celebratory dinners, during which various items of luck
and blessing will be auctioned off. Many would bid for these items
in the hope and belief that they would, in year ahead, bring
prosperity to the owners. The most prized possession is a block of
charcoal. This relates back to the myth of Mu Lian, where
it is held that when Mu Lian finally reached hell, the buns
he brought to feed his mother had turned into charcoal.
Biblical Approach: Believers are not to participate
in any of the superstitious activities discussed above. This is
not to say that we are participating in the festival should we
simply stand in the crowd and enjoy the ge tai
performances. Participation refers to our getting involved by
making contributions towards the ge tai and dinners,
bidding during the auctions, etc. We should not be involved in any
of the superstitions surrounding the festival or buy into the fear
that the kui would come haunting. In relation to the
dinners, you might well ask if we could simply attend without
engaging in the superstitious practices of the event. 1
Corinthians 10:21 clearly teaches us that we cannot partake of the
table of our Lord and of the table of idols. As far as these
celebratory dinners are concerned, this teaching applies.
Basically, when people come together for such dinners, they are
also celebrating and remembering a non-Scriptural and
superstitious event. As such, believers should have nothing to do
with these dinners.
A time for prayer
There is no cultural or spiritual value in believers celebrating
Zhong Yuan Jie, it does nothing other than instill fear. The
common belief that a lot more people during this festival than at
any other time is a cause of great fear. Believers should not buy
into or propagate such a lie of the devil. We should, rather, rest
secure in the knowledge and assurance of our salvation and victory
in Christ (Romans 8:35-39). In addition, we must remember that the
Bible does not teach that the gates of hell would or may be opened
once a year for a month. Believers are not to participate in any
way in this festival but should, instead, pray for the covering of
our Lord to be over everyone. I encourage this because I believe
that demonic activity increases during this month, not because the
gates of hell are open, but because the devil knows that people
believe they are. It is, therefore, a good time for the enemy to
deceive and stir up even more fear, that people may be bound even
more to their superstitions and superstitious practices. Believers
should, therefore, pray more for their relatives and friends
during Zhong Yuan Jie, that they may find peace and salvation in
our Lord Jesus Christ and be set free from all their fears.
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