Praying to Hungry Ghost
Much have been told about praying to the hungry ghost during the seventh month but there are little information on how it is done. Some has called this praying to good brothers or road side praying. The date to begin prayers for this years 2010 chinese hungry ghost festival will begin on the 10th august and ends on 7th september.
It is believe that gates of hell opens during the chinese seventh month. Also called the hungry ghost festival. During this time, most chinese family would do prayers to appease the spirits and soul that come out to roam this world.
Prayers can be done alone or with friends and family members. Here are the process on usually how it’s done locally in malaysia. These are the basic….
Location is usually selected outside or behind the house/work premise. It must be done away from the view of the main altar.
Setting the ground altar. Place food offerings facing outwards. Food offering usually consist of vegetables, a pot of rice, sweets, biscuit, chicken, pork, fish and etc. (food offering depend on the capability of the individual). Rice offering can made be in 1,3,6,10 or 12 bowls. Every bowl should also be equip with spoon and chopstick.
There will be no incense pot so loosen the ground for the joss stick to stick up right. If the ground is cemented, have a disposable cup of soil as an incense pot.
Paper offering consist of hell notes and clothing are first pour onto the ground. Light up all the candles and place them surrounding the paper offering (if ground is cemented, only 2 candles would be use). One may also line up the candles in a row/straight line . Keep the paper offering in a distance of a feet so it would not be accidentally lighted.
Depending on the quantity of joss stick given, one may have 3 joss stick between every candles.
Facing away the house, with the 3 joss stick in hand, you begin by inviting the spirits of the 5 direction. Begin by praying 3 times forward, turn 45°, pray 3 times again then turn again and pray till u have completed a full circle from where you started. Each time inviting the spirits or soul to the feast.
Knell down and pray for good health and fortune. Pray 3 times . Stick the joss on the ground. Walk away from the offering about a few meters. This will provide privacy for the spirits/good brothers to enjoy their food. Wait till the candle is 50% burn before you could light up the paper offering. When lighted, one should utter about things that are auspicious.
Take another 3 joss stick and pray 3 times thanking the spirits and soul. Stick the joss stick up right to the ground. Any extra joss and candles should be thrown into the fire now. None of the joss stick, candles or paper offerings should be bought back into the house for future use. Food offerings are left on the ground.
Is it advisable to monitor the burning paper for fear that it may cause a major fire incident. This has happen before.
These are the taboo during prayers. All the above must not be done in a hush hush manner. One should not curse or swear during the prayers. Spitting is also prohibited. It is also advisable not to dress up in full red or yellow for this occasion.
Good Luck. 🙂
Visit my previous post on Chinese hungry ghost taboo if you wanna know more about thing that are inauspicious during this time.
Below:- Joss material and paper offering.
Below:- Hell currency. If any of you is interested in purchasing any of these hell currency, do drop me a note.
Below:- Basic setup
My Time – my.72dragon.com – A web blog where i catalog chinese temples in malaysia.
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Click the "Thumb" to LIKE this post.
Rating: +38 (from 38 votes)
