Ghost Festival - Cioko
|
|
Cioko Festival, 中元節 Zhong Yuan Jie (Hok Kian: Tiong Gwan Cwe) is celebrated every year on the 15 th day of 7 th month of Chinese calendar (Imlek). The people usually also call it as Hari Raya Hantu (Ghost Festival). But do we know, actually this Ghost Festival contains very deep meaning?
There is a Buddhist Holy Book entitles Yi Lan Pen Jing, in the said Holy Book is recorded an episode:
Long time ago, there was a Buddhist monk named Maha Moggalana. He was one of 10 Prominent Disciples of Gautama Buddha. Maha Moggalana was a disciple of Buddha with the number 1 divide power (below Buddha).
Once upon a time, Maha Moggalana, with his innermost feelings, saw his died mother, walked together with a group of hungering ghosts. With the intention of helping his mother, then he put rice into a bowl, to feed his mother. Who knows, when he would feed the rice to his mother’ mouth, the said rice changed into a blazing live coals. By practicing his divide power, Maha Moggalana tried repeatedly, but every time the rice entered to his mother’s mouth, the said rice changed into live coals.
Maha Moggalana was extremely surprised then came back and reported to Buddha Sakyamuni. Buddha said to him: Your mother’s sin is too severe, only with your own power; it cannot release your mother’s suffering!
Then Maha Moggalana kneeled on the floor, kindly request to Buddha while weeping tears: Implore Buddha to grant advice, how to help my mother in order to free from ocean of suffering and not together with those hungering ghosts at all?
Buddha replied: Concerning this matter, it needs the strengths of Buddhist Monks in 10 corners, when arrive at this Tiong Gwan Cwe Festival, representing parents from 7 generations, and current parents who are in disaster /calamity, prepare various vegetables and fruits, to be offered to The Goodness in 10 corners, each person make good deeds, at this time able to free the suffering of all hungering ghosts.
After Maha Moggalana kistened to it, then asked again: May all dedicated people take park in “Yi Lan Pen” ?
Buddha answered: Excellent! Excellent!
Participate in Yi Lan Pen my read parittaYi Lan Pen Jin in order that suffering parents can obtain freedom. Therefore, on the day toward Tiong Gwan Cwe Festival many people who practice vegetarianism and worship, representing parents who have passed away, free from suffering.
Perhaps,… in Tiong Gwan Cwe Festival, is a day where Hell’s Gate is open!!! To prevent died father-mother from suffering in the Hell, then practiced worship to spirits, the Deity and Ghost massively, hoping that the unseen spirits not torturing the said dead father-mother.
Tiong Gwan Cwe Festival, Ceng Beng Festival, and Tang Ce Festival are 3 Ghost Festivals in the circle of Chinese people.
In regions & provinces in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, considerably pay attention to these 3 Festivals. Moreover in this Tiong Gwan Cwe Festival, performs worships grandiosely and supernaturally. It is the shape DEVOTION to parents.
