Hungry Ghost Festival The 14th and 15th of the seventh lunar month
Much like Western cultures Halloween, some Eastern cultures celebrate a Fall festival where they believe the gates of hell are thrown open, releasing hungry ghosts to wander the earth in search of food and taking revenge upon those who wronged them in life. This month-long festival is known as the Hungry Ghost Festival and takes place during the 7th lunar month.
Unlike other celebrations of the dead in Eastern cultures that seek to honor dead ancestors, the Hungry Ghost Festival seeks to pacify the hungry ghosts, the ghosts of strangers and the un-cared-for dead. These are the ghosts of those who died by their own hands, by accidents, by drowning or hanging who have been denied entry into heaven. Angry because they are forced to dwell in hell without food or comfort, when released, they search for souls to take their place in misery.
To Taoists and Buddhists, these evil spirits are not to be taken lightly. They are most active at night and can take many forms including: snakes, moths, birds, foxes, wolves, and tigers. They can even appear as beautiful men or women to seduce the living. When they possess an individual by entering the body they cause illness and mental disorders.
Throughout this month, to keep the angry spirits amused, people stage street operas and other forms of public entertainment. In the past, people did not view the street operas as they were performed only for ghosts. Other ritualsare performed to help souls enter into heaven. Taoists do their best to avoid late nights away from these amusements and rituals to steer clear of the evil spirits. To appease these wandering spirits, Buddhists and Taoists burn bundles of joss sticks, paper hell money, food, and other offerings by the roadside. Communities along rivers or near the sea float lanterns in the shape of the lotus or carved from fruit or gourds in the water to guide them away from their homes. They follow the lanterns from the river bank or sea shore till they can no longer be seen. This is done to redeem the soul of those who died by drowning.
The most important days of this month are the 14th and 15th, the days of the great feasts. On the 14th, a great feast would be held to honor family ancestors. Prayers and offerings would be made at family altars. On the following night, the 15th, they would feast for the hungry ghosts. Held outside under the full moon, these feasts feed the evil spirits so that they will leave the living alone and bribe the ancestors for luck with money and the harvest.
OnMotesandBeams微尘与栋梁
英语脑筋急转弯你能猜出几个
窗花
TempleFair(庙会)
真爱是什么?
富豪的十大经典人生定律(图文)
双语哲理故事:人的欲望
世界20所知名大学校训集锦(双语)
感动人生:改变是什么
英文哲理诗歌:外套ACoat(中英对照)
双语诗歌:冬日诗行LinesForWinter
双语诗歌:陪你多一天OneMoreDay
2010年惨遭封杀的英语词汇
双语美文:没有我世界照常运转
最"冷"的五项世界纪录
Theoriginof"nian"(年的来历)
李白《静夜思》9种英译版本欣赏
双语诗歌:LovesWitness爱情的见证
LegendofSpringFestival(春节传奇)
GeneralHouseCleaning(大扫除)
爆冷的三字经英文翻译版
PayaNewYearCall(拜年)
剩男剩女们的生活悲喜剧
双语美文—Clouds(飘忽的云)
慎重许愿
教师节英语祝福语
双语趣味诗歌:一寸高OneInchTall
英语中十类对女人的搞笑称呼
无言的父爱
如何开发你的智慧
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |