from : http://www.geocities.com/cobinri/stories.html
The 15th of the 7th Lunar Month is "THE SEASON OF FILIAL PIETY".
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WHY DO PEOPLE CELEBRATE
'GHOSTS SEASON'
ON BEHALF OF
THE GHOSTS?
Throughout thousands of years, most people are born deluded and superstitious.
The ghosts belong to the beings in one of the three evil paths. Their suffering is indeed acute. There is no special celebration in the Ghost Realm.
On the contrary, every 7th Lunar Month, the worldly people will arrange special programmes and celebrate 'Ghosts Season' on behalf of the ghosts!
In fact, the 15th of the 7th Lunar Month is meant for all filial children to practice filial piety towards their present parents, parents of the past and future. So, we should not celebrate 'Ghosts Season'. Instead we should celebrate 'The Season of Filial Piety'!
THE BUDDHA SPEAKS ON THE ULLAMBANA SUTRA
THE 7TH LUNAR MONTH IS NOT THE GHOST SEASON
'In India, the rainy season lasts for three months yearly. It begins on the 15th of the 4th Lunar Month and ends on the 15th of the 7th Lunar Month. So it is very inconvenient for the Sangha to beg for food during that season.'
'It was then decided that all monks must cultivate diligently during these three months while staying indoors.'
'After cultivating for three months, many of the sagely assembly attain the Way. The Buddhas in the ten directions rejoice over their attainment.'
'And also on that day, the sagely assembly come together to discuss their individual progress. All merits and demerits are to be announced to the multitude. So it is also known as the "Sangha Pravarana Day.'
'At the same time, The Venerable Maugalyayana's mother was experiencing suffering in the Hungry Ghost Realm as she had committed heavy karmic offences of being stingy and greedy. She could not be saved by depending on the spiritual strength of her son alone neither could she be saved with the strength of all earth and heavenly spirits. She could only be saved with the combined strength of the sagely Sanghans in the ten directions who had attained the Way.
'So The Buddha instructed The Venerable Maugalyayana to widely make Ullambana offering to the Sagely Sanghans on the 15th of the 7th Lunar Month or "The Buddha's Happy Day". By doing so, the present and former parents would receive the blessings and put to extinction all offences. It is also known as "The Day Of Filiality To Parent".'
'For many thousands of years, the worldly people have mistaken "The Day Of Filiality" as the "Ghost Season". They talk confusedly about the opening and closing of the ghostly door. From here we can see how deep the superstitious practice of the Chinese can be!'
'At that time, if The Buddha were to teach The Venerable Maugalyayana to make the 'Ullambana Offering' on the 15th of the 6th Lunar Month (or any other days) in order to save his mother then the present people would have treated the 6th Lunar Month as the 'Ghost Season', wouldn't they?'
'The ghosts are always there. Who says that they only appear on the 7th Lunar Month, the "Ghost Season"?'
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THE BUDDHA SPEAKS THE ULLAMBANA SUTRA
THUS I HAVE HEARD, AT ONE TIME, THE BUDDHA DWELT AT SHRAVASTI IN THE GARDEN OF THE BENEFACTOR OF ORPHANS AND THE SOLITARY
MAHAMAUDGALYAYANA HAD JUST OBTAINED THE SIX PENETRATIONS AND WISHED TO CROSS OVER HIS FATHER AND MOTHER TO REPAY THEIR KINDNESS FOR RAISING HIM.
THUS, USING HIS WAY EYE, HE REGARDED THE WORLD AND SAW THAT HIS DECEASED MOTHER HAD BEEN BORN AMONG THE HUNGRY GHOSTS, HAVING NEITHER FOOD NOR DRINK, SHE WAS BUT SKIN AND BONES.
MAHAMAUGALYAYANA FELT DEEP PITY AND SADNESS, FILLED A BOWL WITH FOOD AND WENT TO PROVIDE FOR HIS MOTHER. SHE GOT THE BOWL, SCREENED IT WITH HER LEFT HAND, AND WITH HER RIGHT HAND MADE A FIST OF FOOD. BUT, BEFORE IT ENTERED HER MOUTH, IT TURNED INTO BURNING COALS WHICH COULD NOT BE EATEN.
MAHAMAUGALYAYANA CALLED NOT AND WEPT SORROWFULLY, AND HASTENED TO RETURN TO THE BUDDHA TO SET FORTH ALL OF THIS
THE BUDDHA SAID, "YOUR MOTHER'S OFFENCES ARE DEEP AND FIRMLY ROOTED. YOU ALONE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER. ALTHOUGH YOUR FILIAL SOUNDS MOVE HEAVEN AND EARTH, THE HEAVEN SPIRITS, THE EARTH SPIRITS, TWISTED DEMONS, AND THOSE OUTSIDE THE WAY, BRAHMANS, AND THE FOUR HEAVENLY KING GODS, ARE ALSO WITHOUT SUFFICIENT STRENGTH.
THE AWESOME SPIRITUAL POWER OF THE ASSEMBLED SANGHA OF THE TEN DIRECTIONS IS NECESSARY FOR LIBERATION TO BE ATTAINED.
I SHALL NOW SPEAK A DHARMA OF RESCUE WHICH CAUSE ALL THOSE IN DIFFICULTY TO LEAVE WORRY AND SUFFERING, AND TO ERADICATE OBSTACLES FROM OFFENCES.
THE BUDDHA TOLD MAUDGALYAYANA: "THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH IS THE PRAVARANA DAY FOR THE ASSEMBLED SANGHA OF THE TEN DIRECTIONS.
FOR THE SAKE OF FATHERS AND MOTHERS OF SEVEN GENERATIONS PAST, AS WELL AS FOR FATHERS AND MOTHERS OF THE PRESENT WHO ARE IN DISTRESS, YOU SHOULD PREPARE AN OFFERING OF CLEAN BASINS FULL OF HUNDREDS OF FLAVORS AND THE FIVE FRUITS, AND OTHER OFFERINGS OF INCENSE, OIL, LAMPS, CANDLES, BEDS, AND BEDDING, ALL THE BEST OF THE WORLD, TO THE GREATLY VIRTUOUS ASSEMBLED SANGHA OF THE TEN DIRECTIONS.
OH THAT DAY, ALL THE HOLD ASSEMBLY, WHETHER IN THE MOUNTAINS PRACTICING DHYANA SAMADHI, OR OBTAINING THE FOUR FRUITS OF THE WAY, OR WALKING BENEATH TREES, OR USING THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE SIX PENETRATIONS, TO TEACH AND TRANSFORM SOUND HEARERS AND THOSE ENLIGHTENED TO CONDITIONS. OR PROVISIONALLY MANIFESTING AS BHIKSHUS WHEN IN FACT THEY ARE GREAT BODHISATTVAS ON THE TENTH GROUND-ALL COMPLETE IN PURE PRECEPTS AND OCEANLIKE VIRTUE OF THE HOLY WAY-SHOULD GATHER IN A GREAT ASSEMBLY AND ALL OF LIKE MIND RECEIVE THE PRAVARANA FOOD.
IF ONE THUS MAKES OFFERINGS TO THESE PRAVARANA SANGHA, ONE'S PRESENT FATHER AND MOTHER, PARENTS OF SEVEN GENERATIONS, AS WELL AS THE SIX KINDS OF CLOSE RELATIVES, WILL ESCAPE FROM THE THREE PATHS OF SUFFERINGS.
AND AT THAT TIME ATTAIN RELEASE. THEIR CLOTHING AND FOOD WILL SPONTANEOUSLY APPEAR. IF THE PARENTS ARE STILL ALIVE, THEY WILL HAVE WEALTH AND BLESSINGS FOR A HUNDRED YEARS.
PARENTS OF SEVEN GENERATIONS WILL BE BORN IN THE HEAVENS. TRANSFORMATIONALLY BORN, THEY WILL INDEPENDENTLY ENTER THE CELESTIAL FLOWER LIGHT, AND EXPERIENCE LIMITLESS BLISS.
AT THAT TIME THE BUDDHA COMMANDED THE ASSEMBLED SANGHA OF THE TEN DIRECTIONS TO RECITE MANTRAS AND VOWS FOR THE SAKE OF THE DONOR'S FAMILY, FOR PARENTS OF SEVEN GENERATIONS.
AFTER PRACTICING DHYANA CONCENTRATION, THEY THEN MAY ACCEPT THE FOOD. WHEN FIRST RECEIVING THE BASIN, PLACE IT BEFORE THE BUDDHA IN THE STUPA. WHEN THE ASSEMBLED SANGHA HAS FINISHED THE MANTRAS AND VOWS, THEN THEY MAY ACCEPT IT.
AT THAT TIME THE BHIKSHU MAUDGAL YAYANA AND THE ASSEMBLY OF GREAT BODHISATTVAS WERE ALL EXTREMELY DELIGHTED AND THE SORROWFUL SOUND OF MAUDGALYAYANA'S CRYING CEASED. AT THAT TIME MAUDGALYAYANA'S MOTHER OBTAINED LIBERATION FROM ONE KALPA OF SUFFERING AS A HUNGRY GHOST.
MAUDGALYAYANA ADDRESSED THE BUDDHA AND SAID, "THIS DISCIPLE'S PARENTS HAVE RECEIVED THE POWER OF THE MERIT AND VIRTUE OF THE TRIPLE JEWEL, BECAUSE OF THE AWESOME SPIRITUAL POWER OF THE ASSEMBLES SANGHA.
IF IN THE FUTURE THE BUDDHA'S DISCIPLES PRACTICE FILIALITY BY OFFERING UP THE ULLAMBANA BASINS, WILL THEY BE ABLE TO CROSS OVER THEIR PRESENT FATHERS AND MOTHERS AS WELL AS THOSE OF SEVEN GENARATIONS PAST?"
THE BUDDHA REPLIED: "GOOD INDEED, I AM HAPPY YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION. I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT AND NOW YOU HAVE ALSO ASKED ABOUT IT.
GOOD MAN, IF BHIKSHUS, BHIKSHUNIS, KINGS, CROWN PRINCES, GREAT MINISTERS, GREAT OFFICALS, CABINET MEMBERS, THE HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS, AND THE TEN OF THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS WISH TO PRACTICE COMPASSIONATE FILIAL CONDUCT, FOR THE SAKE OF THE PARENTS WHO BORN THEM, AS WELL AS FOR THE SAKE OF FATHERS AND MOTHERS OF SEVEN LIVES PAST, ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH, THE DAY OF THE BUDDHAS' DELIGHT, THE DAY OF THE SANGHA'S PRAVARANA, THEY ALL SHOULD PLACE HUNDREDS OF FLAVORS OF FOODS IN THE ULLLAMBANA BASINS, AND OFFER THEM TO THE PRAVARANA SANGHA OF THE TEN DIRECTIONS. THEY SHOULD VOW TO CAUSE THE LENGTH OF LIFE OF THE PRESENT FATHER AND MOTHER TO REACH A HUNDRED YEARS WITHOUT ILLNESS, WITHOUT SUFFERINGS, AFFLICTIONS, OR WORRIES, AND ALSO VOW TO CAUSE SEVEN GENERATIONS OF FATHERS AND MOTHERS TO LEAVE THE SUFFERINGS OF THE HUNGRY GHOSTS, TO BE BORN AMONG MEN AND GODS, AND TOT HAVE BLESSINGS AND BLISS WITHOUT LIMIT."
THE BUDDHA TOLD ALL THE GOOD MEN AND GOOD WOMEN, "THOSE DISCIPLES OF THE BUDDHA WHO CULTIVATE FILIAL CONDUCT SHOULD IN THOUGHT AFTER THOUGHT, CONSTANTLY RECALL THEIR PRESENT FATHERS AND MOTHERS WHEN MAKING OFFERINGS, AS WELL AS THE FATHERS AND MOTHERS OF SEVEN LIVES PAST.
EVERY YEAR, ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH, THEY SHOULD ALWAYS, OUT OF FILIAL COMPASSION, RECALL THEIR PARENTS WHO BORN THEM AND THOSE OF SEVEN LIVES PAST, AND FOR THEIR SAKES PERFORM THE OFFERING OF THE ULLAMBANA BASIN TO THE BUDDHA AND THE SANGHA AND THUS REPAY THE LOVING KINDNESS OF THE PARENTS WHO RAISED AND NOURISHED THEM.
ALL BUDDHAS' DISCIPLES SHOULD RESPECTFULLY RECEIVE THIS DHARMA."
AT THAT TIME THE BHIKSHU MAUDGALYAYANA AND THE FOUR-FOLD ASSEMBLY OF DISCIPLES, HEARING WHAT THE BUDDHA SAID, PRACTICED IT WITH DELIGHT.
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THE BUDDHA SPEAKS ON THE ULLAMBANA SUTRA
Edited By: SOON GUO SEN
Translated By: ZHANG LENG
'At one time, The Buddha was giving Dharma talks at the Jeta Grove in the Garden of Anathapindika in Shravasti. The Venerable Maugalyayana was one of the ten Great Disciples who had just attained the six spiritual penetrations. He remembered his parents who had passed away for some time and wanted to see their whereabouts.'
'In order to repay the kind virtues of his mother who had given birth to him and brought him up, he used the Heavenly Eyes which he had cultivated to pervasively contemplate The Saha World Realm and found that his kind mother was suffering in the Hungry Ghost Realm. She was so thin that her skin hung loosely on her bones. It was really pitiful!'
'After seeing that, The Venerable Maugalyayana was very sorrowful. He filled his alms bowl with food and went to relieve her suffering.'
'When his mother saw the food, she covered it with her left hand as she was afraid other ghosts might come to snatch away the food.'
'Habitually she used her right hand to take the food and put it into her mouth. But before she had the chance to eat the food, it had already transformed into burning charcoal.'
'Then flames burst out from her mouth and she was burnt to death!'
When The Venerable Maugalyayana witnessed this, he cried sorrowfully. He who had certified to fruition position through cultivation was still incapable of saving his mother from the hellish suffering in the Hungry Ghost Realm.'
'Under such circumstances, he as a son was indeed helpless and sad. So he went to seek The Buddha's help.'
'The Venerable told The Buddha about his mother's suffering and asked for advice.
'After listening, The Buddha said, "The former karmic offences of your mother were too heavy. It is impossible to save her with your strength alone".
'You are a filial son, and your cry may vibrate the Heaven and Earth, your filial piety may move the heavenly spirits, earth spirits, the practicers of deviant paths ......."
'"....... All the Way Cultivators and the Four Heavenly Kings, but they are still unable to save your mother!"'
'The Venerable was indeed sad and his tears rolled down unceasingly. The Buddha said, "Now I will tell you the only way to save your mother from suffering".'
'"You should prepare the best offering of daily necessities and offer them to the Great Virtuous Sangha assembly in the ten directions on the 15th day of the 7th Lunar Month, that is 'The Buddha's Happy Day', at the end of the Rains Retreat".'
'"At that time, all the sagely assemblies, the sound Hearers, the Conditioned Awakened Ones, the Tenth Ground Bodhisattvas and others, wherever they may be cultivating or dwelling will transform into Bhikshus to receive your suffering."'
'"The merits and virtues of this offering are very great. Not only the parents and relatives of many past lives will be liberated immediately from the three evil paths .......".'
'"Even our present parents who are still alive will be healthy and gain longevity. Our parents in the past seven lives will be at ease and be born from transformation in the Heaven and enter the light of heavenly flowers quickly.'
'So The Venerable Maugalyayana acted in accordance with The Buddha's Instructions. The Buddha also asked the multitude of Sanghans from the ten directions to recite the Mantras and seek blessings on behalf of the donors .........'
'......... Wishing that their parents of seven lifetimes would contemplate cultivation and bring forth the mind to practise meditation, before accepting the offering of food.'
'The offering must be arranged before The Buddha, in the temple or pagoda. Only after the Sanghans have recited the mantras and transferred the merits can the food be eaten.'
'At that time, the multitude of sagely Bhikshus and great Bodhisattvas were filled with joy.'
'The Venerable Maugalyayana's mother also left the suffering of Hungry Ghost in this kalpa. So all his sorrows and worries were gone too.'
'The Venerable Maugalyayana again said to The Buddha, "My mother had left behind the suffering of a Hungry Ghost all because of the merits and virtues of The Triple Jewel and the great awesome spiritual strength of the Sanghan assembly ........"'
'"........ In future, if there are The Buddha's disciples who wish to cross over their present parents, parents of seven former existences, can they use the same method of making offering to the Sangha assembly in the Ullambana Dharma ceremony?"'
'"It is good of you to ask such a question! In fact, I have in mind to tell you all about such a good practice!"'
'The Buddha said, "Good men! If there are Bhikshus, Bhikshunis, Kings and commoners who wish to fulfill filial piety, they should make offering to the Sangha on the 15th Day of the 7th Lunar Month (The Buddha's Happy Day) at the end of the Rains Retreat ........"
'"They must prepare all kinds of tasty food and delicacies and put them in the Ullambana Bowl to make offering to the multitude of Sangha who are cultivating in the ten directions, and transfer the merits to the present parents so that they will gain longevity, be free from worries, illnesses and disaster.
'"........ And may their former parents in the seven lifetimes be relieved from the suffering in the Hungry Ghost Realm, be born among the humans and heavenly beings to enjoy pervasive blessings and bliss. All Buddha's disciples who wish to practise filiality should always keep this in mind".'
'"All filial children must repay the parental kindness and compassion and the sufferings they have gone through by making offerings to the multitude of Sangha in the Ullambana Ceremony on the 15th of the 7th Lunar Month. This is the best practice for all filial children".'
'At that time, The Venerable Maugalyayana Bhikshu and the four-fold disciples rejoiced over The Buddha's teaching. They upheld and practised it sincerely.
VERSE OF TRANSFERENCE
May the merit and virtue accrued from this work,
Adorn the Buddhas' Pure Lands,
Repaying four kinds of kindness above,
And aiding those suffering in the paths below.
May those who see and hear of this,
All bring forth the resolve for Bodhi,
And when this retribution body is over,
Be born together in the Land of Ultimate Bliss.
*TRANSFERENCE*
TEN BENEFITS FROM PRINTING BUDDHIST SUTRAS AND MAKING BUDDHA-IMAGES
1. All evil karma made in the past, will either be wiped off and retribution created by past serious offence reduced.
2. Auspicious spirits will constantly protect you and you do not have to experience the disasters of plagues, floods, fires, thieves, armed conflict, or imprisonment.
3. Suffering inflicted by vengeful enemies, made in the past, will be avoided and merit derived from printing sutras will allowed these enemies to receive the benefits of Dharma, and thereby untie the bond of hatred.
4. Evil ghosts and other yaksha-ghosts cannot encroach on you; poisonous snakes or man-eating beasts cannot harm you.
5. You will have peace of mind. During the day you will meet with no danger, and at night you will have no bad dreams. Your complexion will be healthy, smooth and moist; You will be full of vitality. Your business will continue to prosper and meet with ultimate success.
6. You will always have ample food and clothing. Your families will always be at peace, and your prosperity and blessings will constantly increase.
7. Gods and other people will immediately take a liking to things you do or say. Wherever you go, you will always be greeted with respect and revered by happy crowds of dear friends.
8. Ignorant people will grow wiser, unhealthy people will grow healthier, troubled people will feel happier, and woman can become man in their next life, if they wish to do so.
9. You will escape from the three lower realms, and always be reborn in wholesome places, with handsome upright appearance and unusually fine character. You will enjoy supreme happiness and abundant wealth.
10. You will be able to plants innumerable roots of goodness in the blessed minds of all living beings. You will help the living beings to reap bounteous, measureless merits and help them attains the final Buddhahood.
VERSE FOR TRANSFERRING MERIT
WITH THE STRENGTH OF SAMANTABHADRA'S CONDUCT AND VOWS,
I MAKE OFFERINGS TO ALL THUS COME ONES EVERYWHERE,
FOR ALL THE EVIL DEEDS I HAVE DONE IN THE PAST,
BASED ON BEGINNGLESS GREED, ANGER, AND DELUSION,
AND CREATED BY BODY, SPEECH, AND MIND,
I NOW KNOW SHAME AND REPENT OF THEM ALL.
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THE BUDDHA
instructed The Venerable Maugalyayana to widely make Ullambana offering to the Sagely Sanghans on the 15th of the 7th Lunar Month or "The Buddha's Happy Day". By doing so, the present and former parents will receive the blessings and put to extinction all offences. It it also known as "The Day Of Filiality To Parents".