Culture Insider: China's Ghost Festival
Time:2024-04-30 05:59:05 Source:travelViews(143)
[Photo/VCG]
The Zhongyuan Festival, also known as Ullambana Festival among Buddhists, falls on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, on Aug 30 this year.
Since ancient times, the Chinese have believed that the gates of hell open on that day and so people hold all kinds of activities to honor the ghosts. Therefore, the festival is also called the Ghost Festival.
There are two other festivals in China to honor departed spirits of ancestors: Qingming Festival (in spring) and the Chung Yeung Festival (in autumn). In both, living descendants pay homage to their deceased ancestors. Zhongyuan Festival is distinct from these, as the deceased are believed to visit the living.
Buddhist doctrine says that by offering articles on the festival day, deceased parents and relatives can be saved from bad situations in the after life. The Ullambana Festival of Buddhism has two meanings. One is to persuade people to provide for Buddhist monks. The other is to convince people to do more charitable deeds to release departed souls from sin and advocate family devotion.
Previous:China ready to strengthen high
Next:Exodus at GB News continues: Pip Tomson becomes third star to quit in just three months
You may also like
- Algeria hosts 23rd 'Chinese Bridge' language competition for university students
- Gulf countries slam Washington stand
- China to launch construction, expansion of major cultural facilities
- Central Committee revised regulations on inspection work
- Entire mall in Georgia is closed after 'shots are fired inside
- U.S. urged to stop harassing, interrogating Chinese students entering country
- Xi Presents Order to Promote Military Officers to Rank of General
- FM urges U.S. actions to honor pledges
- Huairou set for Beijing film festival