WITH August coming into our calendars marks a spooky season of Ghost Month for Taoists and Buddhists.  

In an interview over radio station, DWAN 1206 AM, Feng Shui Master Hanz Cua explained that the “Hungry Ghost Month,’ is a belief by Chinese Buddhists and Taoists on where the gate of hell gets unlocked with the hungry ghosts being able to wander around during the seventh month of the lunar calendar. 

How it started 

This 2024, the month of the Hungry Ghost had already begun yesterday August 4, meanwhile, the said event is set to end on September 2. 

On August 18, an annual Ghost festival will be held in observance of the 15th day of the seventh lunar month.  

According to legend, it is said that Buddha once had a great disciple named Mulian. Mulian has the ability to see through everything in the universe including the ability to see through hell.

While praying, Mulian saw his mother in hell suffering from thirst and hunger. 

Being a good son as he is, Mulian flew down from heaven to hell along with food and drinks to give to his mother. But as he went down and gave the food to his mother, both the food and water vanished. 

Mulian later flew back to heaven to have a talk with Buddha to which he later received as a reply with Buddha telling Mulian that his mother isn’t done paying for her sins that’s why she wasn’t able to be reincarnated just yet. 

Buddha later compromised and gave the hungry ghosts a break for a month. 

The event is widely commemorated in countries such as China, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong where they burn joss paper, offer food, and conduct a type of celebration in order to keep them full and happy. 

During the Ghost Month, hungry ghosts from hell came out from their lair to find something to eat and drink, to find some prayers, or victims to inflict harm to. 

The hungry ghosts are the lost ghosts that look for people to be victimized in order to be like them. They are the lost souls who aren’t able to get to heaven and/or the ones who weren’t reincarnated. 

It is said that the common factor on why they turned into these lost souls is due to the wrongdoings that they’ve done during the time of their lives. 

Remembering loved ones 

Being a hungry ghost doesn’t necessarily mean that they were a bad person during they were alive. Some of these lost souls are the ones who suddenly died and are the ones who had unfinished business in the world. 

These lost souls eventually turn into hungry ghosts once their loved ones forgets to give them offerings. 

During ghost month, it is said that the possibility of endangerment and misfortune is highly likely to happen. 

For instance, there’s a higher chance for a person to get involve into an accident that will end up turning them into a hungry ghost. 

While the idea of Ghost Month is embedded to bring misfortune in our lives, Master Hanz Cua stated that it shouldn’t be feared as this serves as a reminder that we have passed loved ones that need prayers in order for them not to turn into a hungry ghost. 

Reverse the curse of bad luck in our lives, it is important to feed our loved ones or the people we used to interact with in order to prevent them from turning into a hungry ghost. 

What to avoid during Ghost Month:

Avoid new major activities

To further reduce the risk and misfortune during the ghost month, Master Hans advices people to first not take part in new major activities. 

Try not to open a new business during this time

Aside from not partaking in a new activity, opening a new business during the Ghost Month can potentially put the business into a failure due to the ghost’s incite. 

Don’t jump into a new job 

On the topic of job and business, he also advises people not to jump into a new job as it might affect the output and quality of work.   

Do not get married during this month

Getting married during ghost month is something that couples should avoid as getting married during this month can lead the couple to have a major fight that can potentially lead into separation.

Be more mindful of your surroundings when going home 

Lastly, going home late at night is something that people should also avoid as during this time, the ghosts are a lot stronger. Going home late can also put a person in potential danger that can cause them to fall into accidents. 

To reduce this risk, Master Hans advises people to pray and  have a presence of mind when going home late.  

Choose the right colors of your wardrobe 

Wearing dull colors such as black and white can make it easier for ghosts to hold onto you. To reduce this, Master Hans advises people to wear happy bright colors to enhance their personal energy. 

What to do during Ghost month: 

Give your passed loved ones offering 

In terms of food offerings, there isn’t really a rule on what to give your loved ones. But it would be a lot better if you can give them something that they really want–for instance, if they’re favorite food is noodles, offer them noodles. 

Cigarettes and liquors can also be used as an offering as there aren’t really a rule for them to be forbidden of the little pleasures. 

Make our home bright

Going to a temple to pray, promoting good vibes, and avoiding negative thinking are just one of the ways that we can do to make our home bright for the ghost. 

Lighting incense 

Lighting incense and doing some sage cleaning can prevent your home from unwanted energy and during ghost month, we ought to avoid those bad energies that can potentially give us bad luck.