HUNGRY GHOST

FESTIVAL
INTRODUCTION
• On the 15th night of the seven month in lunisolar calendar.
– The seventh month in lunisolar calendar is regarded as Ghost Month.
– Ghosts and spirits come out from the lower realm.
• What do we do?
– Prepare food offerings to feed the hungry ghosts.
– Burn Joss Paper. ( 纸钱，冥币 )
– Release miniature paper boats and lanterns on water.
– Family gather and have a big meal.

Video: Introduction to the Festival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJSHGr5fmPc
TAOISM IN THE FESTIVAL
• Ying Yang Theory
– Yang months: January, March, May, July, September, November
– Yin months: February, April, June, August, October, December
• Dao
– The nature of the universe as a whole
– The way of nature as a whole
• Qi
– The life force animates the world
– Links and permeates the surroundings in Dao
BUDDHISM IN THE FESTIVAL
• Yu Lan Festival ( 盂兰节 )
– Story of Yu Lan and Mu Lan ( 目连救母 )
• Reincarnation
– After beings die, the are reborn in six forms ( 六道 )
• Diet, Humans, Hungry Ghosts, Beings in hell, Asura, Animals

• Noble Truths and The Great Way

– Suffering is caused by craving
– Buddha reached nirvana and help ( 普度众生 )
• Karma
– Every effect has an cause
CONFUCIANISM IN THE FESTIVAL
• Ren – Benevolence, filiality
• Li – Propriety of Etiquette
– That parents, when alive, be served according to propriety; that, when dead, they should be buried
according to propriety; and that they should be sacrificed to according to propriety.
• To restore the social order through:
– Condensing national spirits
– Building a harmonious society
EVOLUTION OF THE FESTIVAL
• Sui and Tang Dynasty: Unified feudal society.
• Song Dynasty: Three main philosophies were optimized and evolved.
• Yuan Dynasty: Minor religions rise and advocated that three main philosophies should be
merged in to one.
• Ming Dynasty: The idea of Merging came true
• Modern world: A festival merged with elements from each philosophy.
DISCUSSION

1. Do you believe that after beings die, they become wandering

ghosts? Do you believe human activities help ghosts
reincardinate?

2. How do you think of this festival? Why our people insist of

keeping this festival?
CONCLUSION

• Combination of Taoism, Buddhism, and

Confucianism
• Worth to expand and develop