Is the “Festival of Hungry Ghosts” a Buddhist custom?
Usually, this above-named festival refers to the traditional Chinese folk belief that all hell literally “breaks loose” with the opening of its gates during the seventh lunar month. The supposedly freed “ghosts” then take a holiday in our world, often causing supernatural mischief. Lavish celebrations are thus held to appease them. This is not a Buddhist festival. Misconcepts are also abound with regard to unseen beings in conducting this festival. What is the Buddhist Practice in the Seventh Month? Buddhists celebrate Ullambana Day, which falls on the full moon day of the seventh lunar month. It is a day of making various offerings to the Sangha (community of monks and nuns)and dedicating the accumulated merits to our parents. A day of joyous merit-making, it is essentially a practice of thanksgiving to the Sangha for their spiritual guidance and filial piety to our parents. On this day, offerings of food, robes and other necessities are made to the Sangha, as we remember gratitude to
