I came across an interesting festival celebrated in
China, that acknowledges ghosts and spirits: It's called the Hungry
Ghost
Festival
According to
Chinatoursandfestivals.com: "With roots in Buddhism, the Hungry Ghost
Festival is a time of honoring ancestors and appeasing the ’hungry’ ghosts that
wander the world of the living when the ‘Gates of Hell’ are opened once a
year."
The Ghost
Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival in modern day, Zhong Yuan Jie
or Yu Lan Jie is a traditional Buddhist and Taoist festival held in Asian
countries.
It is believed
that these Gates of Hell are opened once a year during the Hungry Ghost Month
and all the lost and hungry ghosts of hell are free to roam the living
world. To appease the lost souls and
prevent them from causing harm to the living, people put food out for the
ghosts. Ceremonies and rituals are also held to appease the ghosts.
According to
"DiscoverHongKong.com"- one of the main highlights is the Chinese
operas, usually help on temporary bamboo stages and performed to praise the
charitable and pious deeds of the deities.
Activities
such
as swimming and travelling are avoided as it is considered dangerous in
case a
wayward ghost were to cause an accident. Likewise, getting married or
moving
house is avoided during this period as it is considered bad luck." The
next festivals are Aug. 28, 2015, Aug. 17, 2016 and Sept. 4, 2017.
- See more at:
http://chinatoursandholidays.com/hungry-ghost-festival#stha
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