Hungry Ghost Festival 鬼节

In most Asian societies with Singapore not being an exception, a very unique festival - The Hungry Ghost Festival is observed. This festival is celebrated on the 15^th day of the seventh lunar month and is also known as 中元節 in Taoism and 盂蘭盆節 in Buddhism. 

Origins

For Taoism, it was believed that there were three deities that controlled the fate of humankind. The first deity - “Tian Guan Da Di (ruler of heaven)” is the one who grants happiness and his birthday falls on the 15^th day of the first lunar month which is also known as “Shang Yuan Jie/上元节”. The second deity is “Shui Guan Da Di (ruler of water)” and he is the one who alleviates danger. His birthday falls on the 15^th day of the tenth lunar month which is also known as “Xia Yuan Jie/下元节”. Lastly, we have “Di Guan Da Di (ruler of earth)”, who is known to pardon the sins of mankind. His birthday falls on the 15^th day of the seventh lunar month which is also known as “Zhong Yuan Jie/中元节”. It is hence rumored that on the 15^th day of the seventh lunar month, “Di Guan Da Di” will return to Earth to record the good and evil deeds of all humans.

During the seventh month, it is also believed that the gates of hell will be opened and the hungry ghosts will be released to wander on Earth to look for food. 

For Buddhism, Hungry Ghost Festival began with the story of Mu Lian, who is a disciple of Buddha. Mu Lian’s mother was condemned to hell to suffer for eating meat unknowingly. Mu Lian then went to the netherworld to search for his mother. Heartbroken, he found her amongst all the other hungry ghosts. There are then two iterations of what happened next. The first is that Mu Lian tried to feed his then starving mother but was intercepted by other hungry ghosts who grabbed the food instead. The second is that Mu Lian sent his mother a bowl of rice but it was turned into flaming coals before she could consume them. Buddha then taught Mu Lian to make special prayers and food offerings meant for his mother. His mother was ultimately freed from her suffering as a hungry ghost. 

Beliefs

During the Hungry Ghost Festival, hell gates break loose and ghosts are free to roam around, seeking food and entertainment. Throughout the seventh lunar month, many Chinese observe the festival by making offerings of food, joss sticks, candles, paper money and other paper effigies such as houses, cars and clothes to the dead. This is your chance to make offerings of any type you think your ancestors will appreciate. Offer a mahjong set with table to your loved one if he/she loved playing mahjong whilst alive! 

Offerings are made not just to our ancestors but to wandering spirits as well in the hopes that they will be appeased and hence refrain from disturbing us. In Singapore, outdoor banquet dinners are organised where auspicious items will be auctioned. “Getai” performances are a common sight on the seventh lunar month where singers and puppeteers will take over the stage to provide entertainment for the hungry ghosts. “Getai” performances are public outdoor events in Singapore where there would be a makeshift stage with chairs for people to view the performances.  

Do take note that the first row of seats for such performances are usually empty on purpose as they are “reserved for the wandering spirits”.

Prayer sessions and rituals led by monks or priests will also be held during this period to cleanse the sins of the wandering spirits in the hope to reduce their suffering which aids in their reincarnation.  

Dos & Don’ts

Dos

• Avoid water activities especially at night. It is believed that the ghosts will drag your feet and body into the water in order for them to be reincarnated.
• Clip your fringe up to have your forehead exposed as there is a small section on your forehead that is said to illuminate light like a lamp. This acts as a deterrent from encountering spirits.
• Go to crowded places if you find yourself working late at night as it is believed that spirits will follow you and going to crowded areas with a lot of 'Yang' energy will repel the spirits away.

Don’ts

• Refrain from sitting on the first row of seats at 'Getai' performance as the first rows of seats are reserved for the spirits.
• Don't touch, step or kick roadside offerings as this might offend the spirits.
• Don't peek/see underneath the altar table when the offerings are placed on top as the spirits could be enjoying the offerings underneath the altar table.
• Don't lean/sit on the altar table as the spirits might mistake you as the 'offering and suck your life essence away.
• Don't whistle during this month especially at night as the spirits could mistake you for calling out to them.
• As there is a higher chance to encounter spirits at night, go home before sun sets if possible. This is especially so if you are pregnant as spirits are exceptionally attracted to fetuses.
• If you hear someone calling you from the back, do not turn around and even if you do, turn your entire torso and not just your head. It is believed that we have 3 spots of flames on our body to ward off spirits - 1 on each of our shoulders and 1 on top of our head. You need all 3 flames lighted up to protect you from the spirits!!!
• Don't kill insects like moths, butterflies or grasshoppers in your house as they are believed to be spirits of your ancestors making a visit to your house.
• Avoid hanging wet clothes at night as the spirits might ‘try on’ the clothes and they will follow you into the house when you keep the clothes.