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The Ultimate Guide to Year-Round Offerings: A Spiritual Take on Lunar Traditions

11 September, 2024

Why Monthly Offerings Don’t Compare to the July Full Moon

The seventh month of the lunar calendar holds a special significance. The full moon of the seventh month is known as the Vu Lan Festival in Buddhism, a day dedicated to filial piety and honoring one’s ancestors. During this time, whether one’s parents are still living or have passed on, it is customary to reflect on their gratitude and perform acts of devotion. For those who have lost their parents, the Vu Lan ceremony is a poignant opportunity to remember them and dedicate merit to their memory.

In folk tradition, the full moon of the seventh month is also a time to absolve the sins of the departed and make offerings to the ten types of beings. It is believed that Yama, the god of the underworld, opens the gates of hell, allowing the souls of the deceased to return to the mortal realm. Thus, the rituals performed on this day go beyond ancestral worship and include offerings to wandering spirits and hungry ghosts. This tradition reflects a deep-rooted humanitarian spirit and a willingness to give alms to all sentient beings.

The July Full Moon: A Time for Ancestral Worship and Wandering Spirit Offerings

Superstition also holds that offerings made during this full moon can ward off bad luck brought on by wandering souls and hungry ghosts.

Thus, from a cultural and spiritual perspective, the July full moon holds a unique significance compared to other full moons throughout the year. This is why our ancestors placed such emphasis on the rituals and offerings made during this time.

Things to Keep in Mind for the July Full Moon

The importance of this full moon can sometimes lead to an overemphasis on ritual and formality, veering into superstition and extravagance. Some families may go overboard with lavish feasts and excessive burning of joss paper, believing that bigger and more extravagant offerings will bring good fortune and better honor their ancestors. However, such practices are discouraged today.

Avoid Excessive Burning of Joss Paper During the July Full Moon

Instead, it is recommended to offer simple vegetarian or modest meat-based dishes with sincerity and without waste. Reducing greed and attachment can help liberate oneself from negative karma. Similarly, the Buddhist Sangha in Vietnam has advised against the burning of joss paper, as it is detrimental to both the living and the dead. Excessive burning can be costly and even pose a fire hazard.

While releasing captive animals is a noble act, it is crucial to ensure that they are released into suitable environments where they can thrive. Avoid keeping them confined for extended periods as offerings, as this may weaken them and make them susceptible to illness or death upon release.

Emphasize performing good deeds and dedicating merit to your ancestors instead of focusing solely on lavish offerings and excessive burning of joss paper.

Ensure that your altar and home are clean and fragrant to counteract the gloom associated with the seventh lunar month, inviting peace and good fortune.

For reference and contemplation

Frequently asked questions

The article offers a spiritual take on lunar traditions, providing a guide to aligning one’s life with the cycles of the moon throughout the year.

By creating a ‘year-round lunar practice’, marking each phase of the moon with specific rituals and intentions. For example, during a New Moon, one might set intentions and plant seeds for new projects, while a Full Moon could be a time for celebration and manifestation.

The author suggests creating a ‘Moon Box’ with items that represent your intentions and dreams, which can be added to during each New Moon. During a Full Moon, a ‘Moon Ceremony’ is recommended, which involves charging your crystals, burning incense, and writing down manifestations.

The article encourages readers to use the moon’s cycles as a guide for personal growth and reflection. By setting intentions and taking action during the waxing moon, and then reflecting and adjusting during the waning moon, one can achieve their goals and aspirations.

The author highlights how lunar traditions have been honored by various ancient cultures, such as the Mayans, Chinese, and Indigenous peoples, who understood the deep connection between the moon’s cycles and life on Earth.