| By now you should probably be aware of the 2008 | | | | Mahamaudgalyayana, one of the chief disciples of the |
| Summer Olympics to be held in Beijing, China, this | | | | Buddha, well-known for his psychic powers, searched |
| coming August. However, there is at least another | | | | for his deceased mother during one of his meditation |
| event going on in (and beneath) China during August. | | | | session. He found his mother being reborn in the Realm |
| Every year, during the seventh month of the Chinese | | | | of the Hungry Ghosts due to her previous greed. |
| Calendar, it is believed that the Gates of Hell will be | | | | Seeking Buddha's advice, he eased his mother's |
| opened and all Hell beings (well, not nearly all, only | | | | suffering and eventual rebirth into a human form by |
| those well-behaved ones) will be set to roam freely on | | | | performing various rituals of merits creation and |
| Earth for a month. In this month, many spirits roamed | | | | offerings. This is the famous "Mahamaudgalyayana |
| the world in search of their past memories to fulfil their | | | | Saving His Mother" storyline which is often performed |
| unforgotten attachments. As such, these are called the | | | | in Chinese opera. In the Chinese context, more |
| "hungry ghosts" and the festival is also called the | | | | emphasis is placed on offerings to the ancestors than |
| Hungry Ghost Festival. | | | | to the Sangha, or monks, as in the original Ullambana |
| The Hungry Ghosts festival occurs on the 15th night of | | | | practice in Buddhism. |
| the 7th Lunar month which falls on the 15th of August | | | | There are similar festivals around the world as well. |
| this year. This festival is different from the more | | | | These include the El Día de los Muertos |
| well-known Qing Ming Festival, or the tomb-sweeping | | | | Festival in Mexico, the Chugen and O-Bon Festivals in |
| day which is now an official holiday in China and is | | | | Japan as well as the Vu Lan Festival in Vietnam. This |
| predominantly an ancestor worshipping day. The | | | | shows that people today are still in awed and |
| Ghost Festival on the other hand is for the ancestors | | | | respectful towards the mysterious underworld. For the |
| to return the visit and is a festival of elaborate rituals | | | | Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in particular, it is a |
| of joss sticks and paper money, food offerings, and | | | | yearly reinforcement and reminder of one's filial |
| opera shows for the deceased. | | | | responsibility towards the mother and other ancestors |
| The festival is also influenced by Buddhist teachings | | | | in general. |
| introduced into China. In the Buddhist's Ullambana Sutra, | | | | Copyright @ eChinaExpat. |