Food and prayers offered during Hungry Ghost Festival
IT IS that time of the year when elaborate prayers and offerings are made to appease the ancestors and restless spirits that are said to roam the earth.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is observed in the seventh lunar month of the Chinese calendar by the Chinese community.
It is believed that the Gates of Hell are opened during this month to let out the hungry ghosts who then wander to forage for food on earth.
Food is offered and paper money and joss sticks are burnt outside the house to placate the spirits of the ancestors and to ensure good luck.
This year, the Ghost Month is from July 31 to Aug 28, with the Ghost Festival falling on Aug 14.
According to Master Lim Hooi Peng, a Chinese astrology and geomancy expert better known as Master Miao Da, filial Chinese families would celebrate this festival to remember their dead family members and pay tribute to them.
At the same time, they also pray to other wandering ghosts so that these homeless souls would not intrude into their daily life and bring along misfortunes.
Buddhists believe that this is a time for Yu Lan a season to give thanks to everything, to learn how to forgive, and most importantly, show filial piety and respect to parents and the elderly.
The Ghost Festival is also known as Zhong Yuan Jie among Taoists.
The prayers would culminate on the 14th day of the Ghost Month, as it is believed that most of the lost souls would be wandering around then, said Miao Da.
While prayers and burning of offerings were previously carried out on a small scale by individuals or small groups, Miao Da noted that many are now coming together in bigger groups by forming their own Phor Thor committee to better coordinate the activities.
Other activities lined up include a dinner and auction of fortune items that are touted to bring luck and confidence to the highest bidders, he said.
Some dinners have a fundraising element involved, with proceeds going to charity. The dinners are attended by both residents and the business community.
Miao Da said prayers and offerings would also be presented to Da Shi Ye (King of Hades).
After performing the last rituals, a sending-off ceremony would take place, during which an effigy of Da Shi Ye would be burnt, along with his horse, ship, mansion, paper apparel, hell notes and other offerings, to return the deity and wandering spirits back to the underworld.
Prayers For The Homeless - News
At the same time, they also pray to other wandering ghosts so that these homeless souls would not intrude into their daily life and bring along misfortunes. Fervent: Devotees performing prayers to King of Hades during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Taman
The co-ordinator of the Pray Haringey network, the Revd Brendan Munro, said that churches were in liaison with the council to support practically those left homeless after the violence: “We want to help whoever needs it . . . We haven't come in from
But we are still receiving gifts, food and prayers. It just amazes me.” Thursday afternoon 28 people, including eight children, were housed at the local homeless shelter. The St. Vincent De Paul Society also provides assistance to people in need.
"I say my prayers and then I get to thinking about, you know, 'There's people in this world a lot worse off than I am,' and then it cheers me up a bit," he said. "So I just play it one day at a time. That's all you can do." Utsler sought help from the
I could have been homeless." Claiming to be the oldest of 47 children by a father who abandoned the family when he was 5 years old, Rodman was raised by his mother. However, he praised his coaches, Chuck Daly, Jackson, agent Dwight Manley,
Day 9 – Prayer for the Homeless
This past weekend, I visited a town in Western Wisconsin with friends. In their community center, there was a display for one of the local outreach initiatives, to help the homeless in their county. I was shocked when I saw the number of homeless in 2010 on the sign and ashamed at my own reaction. In 2010, their county recorded 160 homeless men, women and children. I have never seen a number so low and for a moment, I thought, “That’s it??” Then I remembered that those are 160 people who are not just a statistic, they are people who need help. Even if there had been one homeless person, that is one too many.
While I’m sure feelings are changing towards the homeless as the economy worsens, there was a time when it was assumed that all homeless people were there because of decisions they made. The truth is that many of us are closer to being homeless than we care to admit. If you lost your job, would you be able to find another? If your child got sick and insurance didn’t cover all of the bills, what would you do? There are many people who want nothing more than to get off the streets, they just don’t know how. Today, we need to remember these people and pray that they will be safe.
Dear Heavenly Father, please watch over the homeless of the world. Provide them with a shelter from the weather, food to nourish them, doctors who are compassionate and will help them stay healthy. Lead them to the resources they need to find a job and housing so they can remove themselves from these sad statistics. Fill the hearts of those who see them with compassion to help them, whether it is by offering them a sandwich, a shirt or so much as a kind word. Amen.
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RT @: Today,letz pray for all the homeless children around the world. Praying dt God in His Infinite mercies gives a reply to their prayers.
Today,letz pray for all the homeless children around the world. Praying dt God in His Infinite mercies gives a reply to their prayers.
And the Oscar Goes to...CHURCH! Check me out at the Cologne Cathedral. Came to say my prayers for the homeless...
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