Worshiping the ghosts

Following the Dragon boat festival in June, the coming month is often regarded as the ghost month, which the ghost festival, also known as Yu Lan festival, will take place and it usually sets in the middle of July based on the solar calendar. The origin of the ghost month is a story related to one of the disciples of Buddha named Mulian. Mulian missed his dead mother so much that he crossed the boarder between the world of living and the intermediate state, and then saw his mother who had fallen into hell, where miserable ghosts were suffering and tortured by starvation.

In order to save his mother, Mulian went to hell with food by his divine power, holding rice bowl for his mother to eat. However, Mulian’s mother was still driven by greed, fearing other hungry ghosts may snatch food from her. Therefore, when Mulian fed rice into his mother’s mouth, it immediately turned into a fireball, making her unable to swallow.

Mulian saw his mother suffering, although he has supernatural power, could not save his mother. His heart was very painful, so he sought helps from Buddha to teach him how to save his mother. Buddha told him to find ten monks on July 15, joining worships and serving five fruits. So Mulian followed the guidance, chanting worships faithfully, and finally saved his mother.

Since then, followers of Buddism and Taoism would hold pujas on this day, which is known as “Taiwan Ghost Month Putu”, for hungry ghosts, nicknamed as "good brothers". In fact, now this story about Mulian has become a positive teaching material about filial piety.

On July1of the lunar calendar, the ghost door opens, people would set tables with offerings in order to worship "good brothers" from hell on this day. The main offerings often include “Gomi bowl", cake, fruit, etc. All offerings must be plugged with incense stick. Eventually people would burn joss papers, or also regarded as spirit money, to those wandering ghosts.

Nevertheless, in order to respect the traditions, while taking into account the following considerations of environmental protection, Taiwanese governments and city councils have been encouraging citizens to worship without burning joss papers, but instead, to use a variety ways such as offering flowers or chanting of worshiping words, hoping to bring healthier living space and reduce environmental hazards. The cost of purchasing the spirit money is also reduced by donating real money to social welfare, charities, as well as by donating foods for those in need.

During the process of Putu in the ghost festival, children and pets should not be present during worships. Empty tables and spirit money cannot be placed on the table. And the most important thing when you pray is, not say “please bless and protect me .......... etc.” because if those “good brothers” bless you every day by your side, you will not be fortunate in any success. Finally, people should immediately pick up the offerings and chairs after Putu is complete, for the purpose is not to urge ghosts to stay.

Another Taiwanese customs of the ghost festival is that people will put the lanterns on waters, which are called " water lights", to greet the arrival of the spirits. There are a set of colorful triangle paper flags, known as " Purdue flag", written on the flag with a brush "celebration of Putu"," widespread of Yu Lan", and" worship with lights". With people’s names on the flags, so good brother would recognize which donor is enshrined.

This article was published in "Center on Taiwan" Magazine summer edition, 2013.

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