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The ritual of honoring wandering souls in the seventh month, especially on the day of Atonement for Lost Spirits, has become a traditional ritual in the Vietnamese belief system. The ritual of offering to spirits serves the purpose of providing food and seeking salvation for restless souls. It reflects the virtues of compassion, salvation, and assistance to those in need, aligning with the noble principles of the Vietnamese people.
What is the Mid-July Ghost Festival?
The Mid-July Ghost Festival, also known as the Ritual of Offering to Wandering Souls, is a ceremony held on the day of Atonement for Lost Spirits, where ritual offerings are made for souls without proper remembrance, unjustly deceased, or those not commemorated by their loved ones. This event takes place on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, known as the Ghost Month.
On the day of Atonement for Lost Spirits, numerous wandering souls and spirits return to the community. As a preventive measure against disturbances from wandering ghosts, people perform rituals of offering to spirits. Simultaneously, it brings good fortune to the homeowners, ensuring smooth sailing in all matters.
The ritual of honoring wandering souls in the seventh month is usually carried out from the 2nd to the 14th day of the seventh lunar month, following Buddha's and ancestral worship ceremonies. Wandering soul rituals should be conducted in the late afternoon, around the Rooster hour, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Performing rituals during the day weakens the spirits, rendering them unable to receive offerings and tributes.
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Altar for Offering to Wandering Souls (living beings) on the Mid-July Ghost Festival in 2023
What should you prepare for the Altar for Offering to Wandering Souls?
Preparing the altar for the Mid-July Ghost Festival is not as complicated as you might think. A simple and neat altar won't take much time and is quite easy to set up. Questions about how the altar for wandering souls should be arranged, who should avoid being near during the ritual, whether the offerings are edible, and other concerns will be addressed in the additional information section below.
To ensure a smooth Mid-July Ghost Festival ritual, here are some considerations when preparing the altar for offering to wandering souls in the seventh month.
- Avoid casually burning joss paper and gold sheets, as it may attract malevolent spirits or demons. It is recommended to burn them only after completing the offering ritual.
- Keep children, pregnant women, and the elderly away during the ritual to prevent interference or disturbance from wandering spirits.
- Avoid consuming offerings and keep animals like dogs and cats away from the altar during the ritual, as these animals symbolize demons.
- When lighting incense, insert them straight and use an odd number of incense sticks.
- While performing the ritual and having a meal, avoid sticking chopsticks vertically into the rice bowl. This action is believed to invite evil spirits into the home for mischief.
- It is mandatory to conduct the ritual for wandering souls outside, in front of the house, or on the street. Never perform the ritual for wandering souls inside the house.
- Absolutely avoid offering sticky rice and chicken.
- The altar for wandering souls typically excludes salty dishes. This is because consuming salty food may arouse the greed of wandering spirits. Therefore, the altar usually consists of vegetarian dishes, fruits, and sweets.
- If possible, the host should consider adding some eel, crab, fish, etc., for the releasing ceremony. While not mandatory, it is a recommended practice. According to ancient Vietnamese beliefs, individuals with accumulated sins may be reborn as animals; thus, conducting the releasing ceremony contributes to accumulating merit and liberating those animals from suffering.
Outdoor ritual for wandering souls on the Mid-July Ghost Festival in 2023
The traditional folk ritual of offering to wandering souls, also known as the ceremony of honoring wandering spirits, carries significant meaning in rescuing and providing salvation for wandering spirits. It aims to free these souls from the cycle of misery, hunger, and cold, aspiring for their swift transition to a better existence, free from the torments of the underworld.
Honoring wandering souls on the Mid-July Ghost Festival is a profound and enduring practice. The decision to participate or not, and the choice between self-conducting the ritual at home or inviting a spiritual guide, will be explored in the following article.
>> The Most SPIRITUALLY UPLIFTING Ritual for Wandering Souls on the Mid-July Ghost Festival in 2023 for Liberation
Apart from the ritual for wandering souls on the Mid-July Ghost Festival, other ceremonies during this period are equally crucial and should not be overlooked. These include rituals for Buddha, ancestral worship, and honoring the God of Wealth. Discover the essential preparations for these ceremonies with PasGo at:
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