August 29,2023
7 Fun Facts About Hungry Ghost Festival
Here are some fun facts about the Hungry Ghost Festival/Lunar 7th Month that may surprise you!
1. The Hungry Ghost Festival is actually only one day
Most people assume that the Hungry Ghost Festival is a month long celebration. However, it is only one day where the traditional celebration is held either on the 14th or 15th day of the lunar 7th month, also known as the Ghost Day.
2. The Hungry Ghost Festival does not originate from China
This festival is actually not a chinese belief that is originated from China. It is also celebrated in other countries like India, Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia, and Thailand, where they celebrated in their own ways according to their own beliefs.
3. The Hungry Ghost Festival has part of its roots in Taoism
In Taoism, the Hungry Ghost Festival serves as a judgment day for ghosts.
4. The Hungry Ghost Festival is about filial piety
In an alternate version of the Buddhist origin of the Hungry Ghost Festival, it also holds deep significance as an act of filial piety. This narrative finds its roots in a Buddhist sutra, where a monk attains the status of an arhat and learns of his mother's rebirth as a hungry ghost, a consequence of her unkind actions during her human life.
Determined to alleviate his mother's plight, the monk turns to the Buddha for guidance. Acting upon the Buddha's counsel, the monk initiates a practice of offering food and clothing to 500 bhikkhus (monks) annually on the 14th day of the seventh lunar month. Through the accumulation of his virtuous actions, his mother eventually regains human rebirth. This accounts for the reason why, during the Hungry Ghost Festival, Buddhists prayed to their ancestors as a way to show their filial piety.
5. Food, drinks, and paper money are offered to wandering spirits
Believers do so to appease the wandering spirits so that they will not be disturbed and to prevent the wandering spirits from intruding into the lives of the believers.
6. Getais are unique to Singapore and Malaysia
Getais are common during the 7th Month in Singapore. Held in temporary stages, these getais are performed by groups of singers. These local celebratory events are distinct to the locale, as their popularity is not widespread internationally.
7. Indonesia celebrates Hungry Ghost Festival too
Indonesia also celebrates the Hungry Ghost Festival during the lunar 7th month, also known as Cioko or Sembahyang Rebutan. People will gather in temples, bringing offerings to spirits who met unfortunate demise. Following the ceremonial rituals, these offerings are distributed to the poor as a form of charity.
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