The Ghost Month – Luna 7th month.

We have entered the 7^th month (August 17 to September 15 2012) in the Luna calendar. This is the month that Chinese call the Ghost month. Chinese perceive this is the month that people should avoid going night life such as going out after dark because they might meet a ghost. This is the month that they believe the Gate of Hell is open for the ghosts to reach out to the outer world. This is the month that Chinese Buddhist will chant the great vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. This is a sutra which talks about filialness and the hell realm. Some Chinese are so superstitious that they will take the whole month off of work to avoid bum into any ghost.

But the temple I go to every Sunday don’t chant the great vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva instead they chant the Ullamabana Sutra and the Filial-Piet sutra. They celebrate the season of Filial Piety. This is a more down to earth celebration than celebrating the Ghost month. We should highlight the filial piety rather than superstitions to the young generation. We should emphasize the importance of gratitude towards our parents, our nation, our teachers and, our friends and relatives instead of ghosts. No wonder people who don’t understand Buddhism think Buddhism is superstitious!