The seventh month in many places has a tradition of offering rituals to ancestors. Many families with distant descendants gather to burn joss paper for their ancestors and prepare elaborate meals for a reunion. Many people believe that during this month, the King of Hell opens the gates of hell to forgive the sins of the deceased, so burning more joss paper and offering extravagant rituals will benefit their departed loved ones.
As the seventh month is considered the month of filial piety, many people with deceased parents also believe that they should offer abundant sacrifices to their parents.
Thus, in many localities, on the occasion of the seventh full moon, families burn a lot of joss paper and prepare lavish vegetarian or meat-based offerings with various delicacies to be placed on the family ancestral altar, burning joss paper and creating billowing smoke and blazing fires.
The Buddhist Sangha discourages the burning of joss paper
Burning joss paper is a folk custom that has, over time, lost its original meaning and become superstitious. Joss paper, or hell money, originated from the ancient practice of “rescuing” the living from having to share their wealth with the dead, as life was often challenging and resources scarce. Thus, the creation of hell money was intended to reduce the burden on families with deceased members, given the archaic customs of that time. However, the original intention has been distorted, and those in the business of making and selling hell money have employed various tactics to convince people that burning more joss paper is beneficial.
A classic example is the story of Wang Lun, who devised a scheme to deceive people into believing in the power of joss paper. Wang Lun had someone pretend to be dead and lie in a coffin with an air vent. Large amounts of joss paper were burned, and the “dead” person came back to life, convincing those who witnessed this deception.
Today, the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam has repeatedly issued notices advising against burning joss paper, as it is not in line with Buddhist teachings and can also be dangerous, increasing the risk of fires and explosions. According to Buddhist teachings, burning joss paper does not benefit the deceased. To accumulate merit for one’s ancestors, both living and deceased, descendants should perform good deeds, accumulate virtues, and live virtuously. When their ancestors are alive, they should take good care of them, and when they have passed on, they should maintain harmonious and loving family relationships and help one another.
Vegetarian or meat offerings?
Whether to offer vegetarian or meat-based food depends on the customs of the locality. What matters more than the type of offering is the sincerity of the descendants. The offerings are ultimately consumed by the living descendants, so it is unnecessary to believe that only extravagant offerings will bring blessings from ancestors. Wasteful offerings can also negatively impact the well-being of those involved.
The type of offering, whether vegetarian or meat-based, depends on the family and local customs, but wastefulness should be avoided.
It is believed that during the seventh month, vegetarian offerings are preferred to create a more peaceful and pure atmosphere, allowing the living to prepare their souls and helping the deceased to let go of their earthly desires and purify their karma.
However, in many localities, it is not customary to use vegetarian offerings, so meat-based offerings are also acceptable. Nevertheless, extravagant and wasteful offerings should be avoided, as should excessive drinking and feasting in the name of honoring ancestors.
For reference and contemplation
Why Should You Offer Vegetarian Food During the Lunar Seventh Month?
The 7th lunar month is a significant time in folk beliefs, marked by offerings and rituals dedicated to ancestors, deceased parents, and wandering souls. It is a month of remembrance and respect, where people pay homage to their departed loved ones and also acknowledge the transient souls.
Should You Visit Your Ancestor’s Tomb and Offer Incense on the 15th Day of the 7th Lunar Month?
Cemetery visits and grave tending are age-old traditions that honor the deceased. The act of tending to one’s ancestors’ graves is a heartfelt way to express gratitude and remember their legacy. The seventh lunar month, often known as the Ghost Festival, presents an opportune time to pay respects by visiting and offering incense at the graves of departed loved ones.
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