For the entire seventh moon, ghosts dominate the island of Taiwan. Sometimes called the Mid-Summer Ghost Festival, this entire month is a period when its is believed that the spirits of the dead walk the earth. This is a long held Chinese Taoist belief, which has its roots with the birthday of the Chinese Guardian of Hell. It is believed he celebrates this day by decreeing an amnesty in the underworld, allowing all of the lost souls in hell to rise and return to earth for one month before being sent back.
During this month many special celebrations are held, with sacrifices and offerings laid out to feed and appease the wandering lost souls. The gates of tombs and graveyards are left open to allow the dead access to the world, and lanterns are floated in the sea to guide back the souls of those lost beneath the waves.
On the first and 15th day of the month, colorful ceremonies to honor the ghosts are held in public places and in Taoist temples. All over Taiwan, Ghost month is regarded with a great deal of superstition, and it is believed to be unlucky to travel, to marry or to hold a funeral during this time. They must wait until the ghosts once again depart the earth, and return to the fires of hell.
Feast of the Ghosts
An array of food is offered to the deceased by Buddhists, Taoists, and Chinese folk religion believers because they believe the gates of Hell are open and all ghosts are permitted to receive food and drink.
The Ghost Festival is a traditional Chinese festival and holiday, which is celebrated by Chinese in many countries. During the Festival the living descendants pay homage to their ancestors and on Ghost Day, the deceased visit the living. On the fifteenth day the three realms of Heaven, Hell and the realm of the living are open and both Taoists and Buddhists 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 death. Activities during the month would include preparing ritualistic food offerings, burning incense, and burning joss paper, a papier-mache form of material items such as clothes, gold and other fine goods for the visiting spirits of the ancestors. Elaborate meals are served with empty seats for each of the deceased in the family treating the deceased as if they were still living.
Other activities may include, buying and releasing miniature paper boats and lanterns on water, which signifies giving directions to the lost ghosts and spirits of the ancestors and other deities.
People in Taiwan, as in many countries represented at the Deaflympics, are in heathen darkness. They need Christ. Pray for them.
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