14/08/2023
Believes of Ullambana (Hungry Ghosts Festival; All Souls' Feast)
July-August; full moon or 15th day of seventh lunar month
A Buddhist and Taoist festival probably dating back to the sixth century and Confucius, Ullambana is observed in China as well as throughout the rest of eastern Asia. A legend attaches to this feast's origins: a Buddhist monk named Moggallana sought to save his mother from hell, where she went after her death because of her greed. The Buddha proposed that Moggallana and his fellow monks offer money, apparel, and food on behalf of all the souls he would encounter there. Moggallana did as the Buddha suggested and so rescued his mother. Because it illustrated the Chinese virtue of honoring one's parents, Ullambana became the best-loved Buddhist festival in China, and from there it spread to Japan, Korea, and other east Asian countries.
It is believed that during this month the souls of the dead are released from purgatory to roam the earth. In Taiwan the day is called "opening of the gates of Hell." This makes it a dangerous time to travel, get married, or move to a new house.
Unhappy and hungry spirits—those who died without descendants to look after them or who had no proper funeral (because they were killed in a plane crash, for example)—may cause trouble and therefore must be placated with offerings. So people burn paper replicas of material possessions like automobiles, furniture, clothing, and paper money ("ghost money") believing that this frees these things for the spirits' use. Joss sticks are burned, and offerings of food are placed on tables outside people's homes. Prayers are said at all Chinese temples and at Chinese shops and homes, and wayang (Chinese street opera) and puppet shows are performed on open-air stages.
Families in Vietnam remember the souls of the dead by visiting their graves. It is known as Yue Lan, Vu Lan Day, Day of the Dead, and Trung Nguyen . The festival, the second most important of the year after Tet, is observed throughout the country in Buddhist temples and homes and offices. To remember the dead, families perform the dan chay, an offering of incense at graves. An altar at home is prepared with two levels—one for Buddha with offerings of incense, fruit, and rice, and one for departed relatives with rice soup, fruit, and meat. It is considered best if offerings include the tan sinh, three kinds of creatures—fish, meat, and shrimp—and the ngu qua, five kinds of fruit. Money and clothes made of votive papers are also burned at this time.
The Ullambana Sutra
TheUllambana Sutra deals with the duties of children toward their departed parents and it is known as the sutra on the practice of filial piety. The origin sutra was in Sanskrit, means “deliverance from suffering” and was translated into Chinese by Ven. Dharmarakasha. In the sutra, the Buddha instructs his disciple Venerable Moggallana on how to obtain liberation for his mother who had been born in the realm of hungry ghost by making food offerings to the Sangha.
Venerable Moggallana had developed his religious aim and became an Arahant when the examined the position of his departed parents, he found that has mother had been born in a hell where she could not get food. As he felt deep pity and sadness for his mother, filled a bowl with food and went to provide for his mother. However, as soon as the food was placed on his mother’s palms, it suddenly turned into burning coals which could not be eaten.
Venerable Moggallana became disappointed and approached the Buddha to get some solution. Being informed of this, the Buddha said “your mother’s offences are deep and firmly rooted, you alone do not have enough power. The Buddha advised him to make offerings to the Sangha on the fifteen day of the seventh month (pravarana day) and transfer the merit gained by that act to her. When Venerable Moggallana had done according to the Buddha’s advice, his mother obtained liberation and began to enjoy a happy life. He became very happy for his mother. After that, he went to the Buddha and asked him whether other people also could help their own departed ones by offering alms-giving to the Sangha.
The Buddha told him that it could be done by the same method. This is known as the practice of “merit transfer”. The practice of merit transfer has been an important practice in Buddhist countries. It has been the basis of Ullambana festival which popular in China and Japan. During this festival, offerings are made to the spirits of the dead and to hungry ghosts in order to bring good fortune and luck. It is believed that this is the day, when “States of the Hell” are opened, and the dead ones pay visit to their loved ones.
The Buddhist practice is different from some Indian religious. According to Brahmanism, when people are dead, the relatives living behind can perform sacrifice and wash a happy life for them. The religious function used in Brahmanism is known as the “Sraddha” sacrifice. Under the Buddhist practice, no beings have to suffer in that way. In conclusion, the Ullambana Sutra is a Sutra dealing with the duty of children toward their departed ones. If the parents are still alive, they will have wealth and blessing for a hundred years. The Sutra also shows us the Buddhist practice which is different from regarding the departed relatives.
