A Quiet Festival

A couple of weeks ago, we noticed people burning little piles of paper and such along the river and sidewalks throughout the city. We also saw these blocks stacked along the street with a little red bag atop each block. Our curiosity was piqued, of course, so we asked our tutors about it and learned some interesting things about the culture in which we live. It turns out that locals were recognizing what is known as the Ghost Festival, which falls on the 7th month of the lunar year. Our tutors said many believe that during this month, the gates of hell are opened to free hungry ghosts so that they can wander to seek food on the Earth. Some also believe that the ghosts would seek revenge on those who had wronged them in their lives. It is said that the dead return to visit their living relatives during this “Ghost Month.” Thus on the 15th day of the month—Festival day—they pay tribute to their ancestors and other visiting ghosts and deities by preparing a meal for them, burning paper money called “hell money,” offering prayers, and burning joss sticks. They feel that these offerings reach the ghosts and help them live comfortably in their world, and that they must satisfy the ghosts in order to get good fortune and luck in their own lives.
We also learned that the Ghost Festival has special meaning for Buddhists and is one of their most important festivals, the origin of which can be traced back to a story—“Mu-lien Saves His Mother from Hell." It is the account of a Buddhist who upon attaining enlightenment, wonders what happened to his father and mother. He travels over the known Buddhist universe and finds his father in heaven; however, his mother has been sent to hell and has taken on the form of a hungry ghost. She cannot eat because her throat is very thin and no food can pass, yet she always hungers because she has such a large belly. She is in this state because of her stinginess with money while on earth. Mu-lien eventually saves her from this plight by battling various demons and entreating the help of the Buddha, who tells him to offer food and money for her to use in the afterlife.
It's so interesting to learn more about how the people we live among think--their perspectives and beliefs. We had no idea that all of this was behind those little piles of ashes along the streets...