Family & Life Magazine Issue 11 | Page 23

Practices around the World In general, most Asian countries celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival by burning Hell bank notes and other forms of joss paper, which apparently can be used by the ghosts as a form of currency in the afterlife. Occasionally, there are people who also burn specially-made paper houses, vehicles and servants to please the ghosts. Families also offer prayers and food and drink to the deceased relatives. There are some slight variations though. Singapore & Malaysia  Getai concerts are held around the country, featuring performances by a group of singers, dancers and entertainers on a temporary stage specially erected for this purpose. The front rows of the seating arena are usually left empty for the hungry ghosts. Taiwan  The gates of a temple are opened on the first day of the seventh lunar month to signify the gates of hell being cracked open.  On the 12th day, lamps at the main altar are lit and on the 13th day, a procession of lanterns are held.  During this month, many Taiwanese avoid going for surgery, buying cars, swimming, and going out after dark. They also take extra care to not reveal addresses to ghosts. Japan  On the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, people will give gifts to their superiors and acquaintances.  The Japanese version of the Ghost Festival is called O-bon and has been transformed over time into a family reunion holiday. People from the big cities return to their home towns and clean the graves of their ancestors. Vietnam  The festival is usually seen as a time to pardon the condemned souls who have been released from Hell. These homeless souls should be fed and appeased with food offerings. In fact, the month of the festival is known as the Month of Lonely Spirits and is believed to be haunted and particularly unlucky.  The festival also coincides with Vu Lan, or Mother’s Day. People whose mothers are still alive would bear a red rose and give thanks while those without can choose to bear a white rose and attend services to pray for the deceased. S u p e r s t it io n s d can take many ught to be dangerous an hungry ghosts are tho beautiful  The lves, tigers and even a luding snakes, birds, wo forms inc man or woman. home before dark by family elders to be ren are usually advised ghost might  Child night in case a hungry t wander the streets at and to no possess them. time because the swimming during this ople also usually avoid  Pe o avoid driving owned people. They als are believed to have dr can then spirits physical collision, which fear of a spiritual, not at night for rtune. lead to illness or misfo ost Festival celebrate the Hungry Gh this month, those who backdoor  During tead use terms such as the word ghost and ins avoid using s. as not to anger the spirit God or good brother, so the spirits ed on the sidewalks for offering has been burn on or  After an ny people avoid stepping advent of bins now), ma (before the as an opening to the cause it is considered near the burned area be n to be possessed. it may cause the perso irit world and touching sp Aug 2014 • Family & Life 23