The Significance of the Full Moon Day of the Seventh Lunar Month

According to folk legend, the Full Moon Day of the Seventh Lunar Month originates from the story of Bodhisattva Maudgalyayana, an outstanding disciple of the Buddha. Upon learning that his mother had been banished to the realm of hungry ghosts, he was compelled by his love for her to use his supernatural powers to find her and offer food. However, just as the rice was about to reach his mother’s mouth, it turned into flames.

Heartbroken, Maudgalyayana returned to the Buddha for help. The Buddha advised him, “No matter how vast your supernatural powers are, they won’t be enough to save your mother. The only way is to enlist the help of monks from all ten directions, and the Full Moon Day of the Seventh Month is the ideal time to invite their presence. Prepare offerings and perform the ceremony on that day.”

Following the Buddha’s guidance, Maudgalyayana was eventually able to rescue his mother. Hence, the Full Moon Day of the Seventh Lunar Month became a day to express filial piety towards parents.

Auspicious Timing for the Full Moon Ceremony According to Feng Shui

Additionally, according to the philosophical beliefs of Taoism during the late Eastern Han period in China, the Full Moon Day of the Seventh Lunar Month falls within the time frame of Zhongyuan Festival. This period begins on the first day of the seventh lunar month (the opening of the ghost gate) and lasts until the 30th of the same month (the closing of the ghost gate).

During this time, spirits from hell return to the mortal realm to receive offerings from the living. Thus, the Full Moon Day of the Seventh Lunar Month is also known as the Day of Pardoning the Deceased, or offering alms to hungry ghosts, as per some regional traditions.

Furthermore, in Buddhist teachings, the custom of offering alms to hungry ghosts in the seventh lunar month also stems from a story involving the Venerable Ananda and a ghost.

One night, while seated in a quiet room, Ananda encountered a ghost—emaciated, with a long neck, and spewing fire from its mouth. The ghost foretold that in three days, Ananda would die and become a ghost with a fiery mouth and a charred face, just like itself.

Terrified, Ananda pleaded with the ghost to reveal a way to avoid such a fate and escape suffering. The ghost replied, “Tomorrow, you must make offerings to us and, for my sake, make offerings to the Triple Gem. By doing so, your lifespan will be extended, and I will attain rebirth.”

Ananda shared this encounter with the Buddha, who then bestowed upon him the “Dharani Sutra for Rescuing the Starving Ghost with a Flaming Mouth” to recite during the ceremony. Through this, Ananda would gain blessings and live a peaceful and blissful life, free from suffering.

Auspicious Timing for the Full Moon Ceremony of the Seventh Lunar Month

Favorable Timing for the Full Moon Ceremony of the Seventh Lunar Month

The following are the auspicious dates and times for performing the Full Moon Ceremony of the Seventh Lunar Month in 2024, as suggested by Feng Shui experts:

11th of the Seventh Lunar Month: Morning from 7 – 9 am and 9 – 11 am; afternoon from 3 – 5 pm. The day of Canh Tuat is inauspicious for those born in the years of the Ox, Dragon, Goat, and those with the heavenly stem of Giap whose birth year ends in the number 4 (1944, 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004, 2014).

12th of the Seventh Lunar Month: Morning from 7 – 9 am; afternoon from 1 – 3 pm. The day of Tan Hoi is inauspicious for those born in the years of the Snake, Monkey (the year of the Tiger is not considered inauspicious due to a secondary affinity) and those with the heavenly stem of At whose birth year ends in the number 5 (1945, 1955, 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005, 2015).

13th of the Seventh Lunar Month: Morning from 5 – 7 am; afternoon from 3 – 5 pm and 5 – 7 pm. The day of Nham Ty is inauspicious for those born in the years of the Rabbit, Horse, Rooster, and those with the heavenly stem of Binh whose birth year ends in the number 6 (1946, 1956, 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006, 2016).

14th of the Seventh Lunar Month: Morning from 5 – 7 am and 9 – 11 am; afternoon from 3 – 5 pm. The day of Quy Suu is inauspicious for those born in the years of the Dragon, Goat, Dog, and those with the heavenly stem of Dinh whose birth year ends in the number 7 (1947, 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, 1997, 2007, 2017).

15th of the Seventh Lunar Month: Morning from 7 – 9 am and 9 – 11 am; afternoon from 1 – 3 pm. The day of Giap Dan is inauspicious for those born in the years of the Snake, Monkey (the year of the Pig is not considered inauspicious due to a secondary affinity) and those with the heavenly stem of Mau whose birth year ends in the number 8 (1948, 1958, 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998, 2008, 2018).

This information is for reference only.

Frequently asked questions

According to folk legend, this day is associated with Bodhisattva Maudgalyayana, a disciple of the Buddha. It is believed that Maudgalyayana’s mother was banished to the realm of hungry ghosts, and he used his supernatural powers to find her and offer food. However, his efforts were in vain as the food turned into flames before reaching her. Seeking the Buddha’s help, Maudgalyayana was advised to enlist the help of monks from all ten directions and perform a ceremony on the Full Moon Day of the Seventh Lunar Month to save his mother.

In addition to the Buddhist story, the philosophical beliefs of Taoism also attribute significance to this day. During the late Eastern Han period in China, the Full Moon Day of the Seventh Lunar Month coincided with the Zhongyuan Festival, a time when spirits from hell return to the mortal realm to receive offerings. Thus, it is also known as the Day of Pardoning the Deceased or offering alms to hungry ghosts in some regional traditions.

Yes, the custom of offering alms to hungry ghosts in the seventh lunar month is also rooted in a story involving the Venerable Ananda and a ghost. Ananda encountered a ghost that foretold his own death and transformation into a ghost with a fiery mouth. Seeking a way to avoid this fate, Ananda was instructed to make offerings to the ghosts and the Triple Gem, ultimately receiving the “Dharani Sutra for Rescuing the Starving Ghost with a Flaming Mouth” from the Buddha to recite during the ceremony for blessings and a peaceful life.

The auspicious dates and times for the ceremony in 2024 vary based on birth years and zodiac signs. Here are the timings: 11th of the Seventh Lunar Month: 7-9 am, 9-11 am, and 3-5 pm (inauspicious for Ox, Dragon, Goat, and those with the heavenly stem of Giap born in years ending with 4); 12th of the Seventh Lunar Month: 7-9 am and 1-3 pm (inauspicious for Snake, Monkey, and those with the heavenly stem of At born in years ending with 5); 13th of the Seventh Lunar Month: 5-7 am, 3-5 pm, and 5-7 pm (inauspicious for Rabbit, Horse, Rooster, and those with the heavenly stem of Binh born in years ending with 6); 14th of the Seventh Lunar Month: 5-7 am, 9-11 am, and 3-5 pm (inauspicious for Dragon, Goat, Dog, and those with the heavenly stem of Dinh born in years ending with 7); 15th of the Seventh Lunar Month: 7-9 am, 9-11 am, and 1-3 pm (inauspicious for Snake, Monkey, and those with the heavenly stem of Mau born in years ending with 8).
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