Ghost Festival

The Hungry Ghost Festival is a Buddhist and Daoist holiday celebrated in East and Southeast Asia, particularly in areas with Chinese cultural influence. It falls on the 15th day of the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, typically in July or August. The festival aims to appease the ghosts of the deceased.1

In Buddhism, the festival is known as Ullambana or Yulanpen, derived from a sutra that tells the story of Maudgalyayana, a disciple of the Buddha. He saw his mother reborn as a hungry ghost, suffering from insatiable hunger. The Buddha advised that a communal offering from the monastic community would help free her from suffering. This led to the tradition of making offerings to alleviate the suffering of such spirits and transfer merit to them, demonstrating filial piety.12

The holiday involves offerings of food, paper money, incense, and cultural performances. Lanterns are lit to guide spirits, and certain days are considered highlights. Due to the belief that spirits roam freely, this month is considered inauspicious for major events, and people are advised to take precautions.1