Excerpts from Shen Shian's article:
I refer to the article "Double ghost months send business jitters" featured in "The Straits Times" on 29th June 2006. It was mentioned that "The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated by Taoists and Buddhists, who believe that the gates of hell open every year during the seventh lunar month to allow the souls of the dead to roam the earth." Speaking on the behalf of the Buddhist community, there are three major errors in that statement, which require some clarification.
Firstly, Buddhists do not exactly celebrate during the entire seventh month, as the main celebration falls on the 15th day, which marks the Ullambana Festival. Instead of being inauspicious, this is an especially auspicious day for Buddhists as it historically coincides with Pravarana Day, the end of the annual rains retreat in the Buddha's time. On this day, many monks and nuns who have attained enlightenment gather to announce to the Buddha of their spiritual attainments. It is thus also known as "The Buddha's Day of Rejoice".
Secondly, in Buddhism, the gates of hell do not open during the seventh month. The realm of hungry ghosts is distinct from the realm of hells, where suffering is generally without much respite, though never eternal, due to the limits of negative karma. However, hell beings can also benefit from merits dedicated to them to alleviate their suffering. Another distinction to be made is that of wandering spirits, who are beings so attached to their previous lives that they roam our world before finally being reborn. They too can benefit from merits created to guide them to better rebirths.
Thirdly, there is no concept of "soul" in Buddhism, as all beings are seen to have constantly changing consciousness or "mindstreams", and are thus able to evolve spiritually for the better in terms of perfecting their compassion and wisdom. In the above sense, the seventh lunar month should have no bearing of ill effect for fellow Buddhists at all, since we already co-exist with mostly unseen wandering spirits and hungry ghosts in our world, while the realm of hell is another world. However, when we make a fuss out of unseen beings, who are mostly harmless, supernatural incidences naturally seem to increase.
With Regards,
I refer to the article "Double ghost months send business jitters" featured in "The Straits Times" on 29th June 2006. It was mentioned that "The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated by Taoists and Buddhists, who believe that the gates of hell open every year during the seventh lunar month to allow the souls of the dead to roam the earth." Speaking on the behalf of the Buddhist community, there are three major errors in that statement, which require some clarification.
Firstly, Buddhists do not exactly celebrate during the entire seventh month, as the main celebration falls on the 15th day, which marks the Ullambana Festival. Instead of being inauspicious, this is an especially auspicious day for Buddhists as it historically coincides with Pravarana Day, the end of the annual rains retreat in the Buddha's time. On this day, many monks and nuns who have attained enlightenment gather to announce to the Buddha of their spiritual attainments. It is thus also known as "The Buddha's Day of Rejoice".
Secondly, in Buddhism, the gates of hell do not open during the seventh month. The realm of hungry ghosts is distinct from the realm of hells, where suffering is generally without much respite, though never eternal, due to the limits of negative karma. However, hell beings can also benefit from merits dedicated to them to alleviate their suffering. Another distinction to be made is that of wandering spirits, who are beings so attached to their previous lives that they roam our world before finally being reborn. They too can benefit from merits created to guide them to better rebirths.
Thirdly, there is no concept of "soul" in Buddhism, as all beings are seen to have constantly changing consciousness or "mindstreams", and are thus able to evolve spiritually for the better in terms of perfecting their compassion and wisdom. In the above sense, the seventh lunar month should have no bearing of ill effect for fellow Buddhists at all, since we already co-exist with mostly unseen wandering spirits and hungry ghosts in our world, while the realm of hell is another world. However, when we make a fuss out of unseen beings, who are mostly harmless, supernatural incidences naturally seem to increase.
With Regards,
Shen Shi'an (Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery)
