HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL

MUHAMMAD AMIRUL ASHRAF BIN ABDUL AZIZNURUL HASRIAH BINTI HASSAN BUSERI

NOOR ATIKAH BINTI NOOR ABIDINFATIMAH ZAHRA BINTI MOHAMAD KAMAL

HISTORYGhost Festival Festival Date - 31 AUG 2012Celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th Lunar month. the "Gates of Hell" are opened and that the dead return to visit their living relatives. The Chinese feel that they have to satisfy the imprisoned and hungry ghosts.

The hungry ghost month is known to the Buddhist as the Ullambana, Yulan Jie, 盂兰盆 .

Maudgalyayana (Mu Lian), attempted to help his mother.

perform acts of merit and to transfer the merits to his mother.

Maudgalyayana managed to transfer merit to his mother and to help her reborn into the human realm.

ACTIVITIES

Chinese opera stages build up at the street. The front row seat will be reserve for the ‘visiting ghost’. They will burn paper money, paper houses, car and even paper television and radio sets.

PENANG

ACTIVITIESPreparing ritual offerings of food and burning ghost money- to pleased the visited ghost and spirits.Burying and releasing miniature paper boats and lanterns on water- signifies giving direction to the lost ghosts.Prayers are offered to the dead.Offering food such as chicken, vegetables, fruits, bean curd and white rice placed at street corners to appease the spirit.

DO’S AND DON’TS

Do not place your kid on the altar/offering table when visiting or praying to these sitesDon’t Get married.Don’t Paint your nails blackDon’t Sit on the front rows or seats which are left vacant while the others are all occupied.Don’t stay out late at night. It is best to be home by sunset.

DO’S AND DON’TSAvoiding standing under the tree or under the bus stop during night time.Do not step or kick the praying items and temporary altar by the roadside.Don’t Travel on the road, by flight or by shipDon’t Step on burning paper/food.Don’t Move into new house or change new furniture/mattress.

DO’S AND DON’TS

Don’t Curse and swear everywhere.Don’t Whistle/Sing at night.Don’t Swim or play in the sea/river.Don’t Look underneath the altar table/offerings table when there is a prayer session.

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