HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL – A TRADITION

             An iphone, branded watch and wallet, even a pair of spectacles - strange gifts offered to the deceased. This practice may seem bizarre for some, but  it is a norm for the Chinese. 

         Lip plating looks painful and bizarre but in Africa the larger the lip plate, the higher the status in the tribe and bigger the dowry for a bride. 

         In the Karni Mata Temple (Temple of Rats) in Rajesthan, India,      devotees offer food to the rats and also believe in getting healed from their diseases. 

Thaipusam is a day of cleansing and repentance for the Hindus. Devotees carry pots of milk on their heads up the 272 steps in Batu Caves, and some pierce metal and hooks into their bodies as a vow. 

    In Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism, ancestor worship is a filial duty. It is about paying respects to our deceased elders through various rituals. It is believed that the spirits of our ancestors will forever have interests in their desendants and will guide and protect the family through generations. 

    Thus, in return we make offerings to them so that they will be as comfortable in their after-life as when they were alive. Like a pair of sneakers to make walking easier. 

      Every year on the 15^th day of the seventh lunar month, the GATES of the Lower Realm are OPENED. The spirits of our deceased are officially given permission and   ALLOWED TO VISIT US MORTALS HERE ON EARTH for ONE whole month. This is the Hungry Ghost Festival (Zhong Yuan Jie) where ghosts wander among the living. 

Chinese are extra careful during this month, no weddings, celebrations of any sort or buying of houses. Many mothers will also insist their children be home EVERY night by 7pm, absolutely NO NIGHT ACTIVITIES. 

    This year , the first day of the Hungry Ghost started on August 11 with the burning of paper money (hell notes) 

   for our ancestors to use during their journey. The offerings of material comforts continued till September 9th with items likeembroidered dresses, 

mirror and toiletries for the female ghosts.

 Suits, shirts and T-shirts for the male ghosts, 

cookies, mugs and beverages. 

   All offerings, even refrigerators, microwave ovens and stereo sets made from paper mache are burnt to appease the ghosts such that their lives in the underworld are more comfortable. Our ancestors have embraced technological

advances too as ipads and iphones are offered so they too can enjoy the modern comforts of the 21^st Century in their afterlife. 

Liquor,

     medications and analgesic plasters for sore muscles, headaches  are not forgotten.

This belief of BURNING these offerings of mahjong sets 

and even cigarettes pleases both the living and the dead as we believe that these material goods will be transported to the underworld for our ancestors' use. Looking at this from another angle, wouldn't you consider this practice as virtual offerings?

All this may sound macabre but I like to quote Tevye in the movie Fiddler on the Roof, “Because of our traditions, we have kept our balance for many, many years. Without traditions, our lives will be as shaky as … a fiddler on the roof!”