just as halloween is for the western countries, the 'hungry ghost festival' is for the chinese...
the hungry ghost festival is a traditional chinese festival celebrated by chinese in many countries...
in the chinese calender or lunisolar calender, the ghost festival is on the 15th night of the 7th lunar month...
it is believed by the chinese that during this month, the gates of hell are opened free for the hungry ghosts and spirits, including those of deceased ancestors come out from the lower realm who then wander to seek food on earth and visit the living...
both taoists and buddhists would perform rituals to transmute and absolve the sufferings of the deceased...
intrinsic to the ghost month is ancestor worship, where traditionally the filial piety of descendants extends to their ancestors even after their death...
activities during the month would include preparing ritualistic foor offerings, burning incense, burning joss paper, a papier-mache form of material items such as cloths, gold and other fine goods for the visiting spirits of the ancestors...
elaborate meals would be served with empty seats for each of the deceased in the family treating the deceased as if they are still living...
other festivities may include buying and releasing miniature paper boats and lanterns on water, which signifies giving directions to the lost ghost and spirits of the ancestors and deities...
this year's ghost month begins today and the ghost day will fall on the
24 august 2010...
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