Lunar Seventh Month falls in 10th August which is the First Day of the ZhongYuan Festival. This is also a day that the Daoist marked on their calendar as the Birthday of TaiShang LaoJun or LaoZi as well as the all soul day. There are plenty of misconceptions about this day and among others are: -
No matter what sort of date selections from either XKDG, 28 asterisme, SanHe to QMDJ, if you are a Chinese, you will not move into a new house during this 7th month. You will get neither married nor held all the important events on this month. Given a choice, even Yin FengShui is less carried out during this month. This is one month that the FengShui master can go for holidays.
What exactly is this 7th month stuff? In the Buddhist perspective it is called the Ullambana Month or the Holy month Ulam of which many prayers are made to create merits to be dedicated to the departed ones which is residing in the realm of the Hungry Ghost. It is by virtue of a Vow made by the Arahant Mogallana, that the merits created are so great that the inhabitants of this realm are able to eat for the first time. Therefore, as a common practice in this part of the world, many religious activities are carried out. Which also means to say, many unseen beings are able to perform meritorious deeds along the way and thus they may come in a huge numbers. Yet, it sometimes means business opportunities to others and is subjected to abuse, inclusive of the scantily clad Go-Go Girls performance on stage.
The Daoist perspective is different. It is a month that the Daoist disciple will lay out some ToFu (Beancurd) submerged in water, as where the Chinese Pun of to trick the Ghost to eat ToFu came from, and some extremely common and tasteless food together with joss stick and joss paper to be burned as offerings to the wandering spirits. The intentions are to call upon such wandering spirit not to wander anymore but to be reborn again. It does not means to say the Hell Door is open and all the spirits let loose for holiday on that month! There is no such a holiday to begin with. Only at the end of the 14th day of the 7th month, the guardians of the underworld will roam the street, salvaging all those left over spirits which is still reluctant to move on. It is not the spirits that most people are afraid of, it is usually these guardians which have no mercy and senseless that will sometimes make havoc to the mortal world. To appease them, the Daoist is wise enough to throw in a big bash party for their Boss. This is where the ceremony called PorTho is being arranged by Chinese communities all over.
So, it is prudent to just write off any important event to be carried out. Not to stay out on the street at night especially near a wall or dark places. Not to speak bad about the unseen things. Even if there are occasional sighting, just pretend you don’t see it. Don’t simply grab any empty seat to watch free opera, be it soap opera or Go-Go Girls especially on the first day. Don’t take any random photograph at religious events unless you want to capture some ghostly images. Stay at home and do more meritorious deed such as donations and religious activities. Last, don’t bother to fight any sort of Sha… especially SanSha. It will not help.
P/S: Photo of ghostly image from http://taoisttalisman.blogspot.com/
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