Hungry Ghosts Are With Us

"The Hungry Ghost Festival has strong roots in both Taoist and Buddhist beliefs."

Tonight, across a rain-swept Hong Kong, offerings are made to the hungry ghosts among us. Incense is burnt, and food laid out, as citizens ward off bad luck by appeasing the phantoms wandering in the living realm. 

The Hungry Ghost Festival is a prominent East Asian celebration that takes place annually, typically in the 7th lunar month. While the specifics of the festival vary across different cultures, the core theme revolves around honouring and appeasing the spirits of one's ancestors and other wandering ghosts. The origins of this intriguing tradition can be traced back thousands of years.

Taoist and Buddhist Influences

The Hungry Ghost Festival has strong roots in both Taoist and Buddhist beliefs. In Taoism, the 7th lunar month is seen as a time when the boundaries between the mortal and spirit worlds become blurred. During this "Ghost Month", restless souls are believed to be released from the afterlife to roam the earth. Offerings and rituals are performed to pacify these wandering ghosts and ensure they do not bring misfortune.

Similarly, in Buddhist teachings, the 7th lunar month is associated with the Yulanpen or "Ullambana" festival. This commemorates the story of Maudgalyayana, a Buddha disciple who used his supernatural powers to locate and rescue his mother's spirit from the realm of hungry ghosts. Buddhist practitioners make offerings and perform rituals to aid the suffering souls of their ancestors and other restless spirits during this time.

Historical Origins

The origins of the Hungry Ghost Festival can be traced back to ancient Chinese traditions dating as far back as the Han Dynasty (206 BC—220 AD). During this period, the “Fang Zhongjie” ritual emerged, in which people made offerings to their ancestors and deities on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. 

Over the centuries, as Buddhism and Taoism gained prominence in China, these ancestral rites became intertwined with the beliefs and practices of these religious traditions. The festival gradually became a more elaborate celebration involving elaborate offerings, street performances, and communal feasting.

A Time of Remembrance and Respect

Today, the Hungry Ghost Festival is widely celebrated across East Asia, particularly in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. While the specific customs may vary, the core purpose remains the same—to honour the memory of one's ancestors and ensure the peace and well-being of wandering spirits.

Through this festival, people can connect with their cultural heritage, express gratitude for their ancestors, and maintain a sense of community and continuity across generations. It is a time of remembrance, respect, and recognition of the profound bonds that tie us to those who have come before.