what is a special day today?

[andre1]

why so many locals burn paper outside?
tonight all ghosts will come out from hell or what?

[sved]

No, they won't. Because they have burned the papers.

[Matney]

Could someone explain this burning of paper money? How many times a year is it done? Not great for us asthma sufferers.

[stefania]

A brief explanation......

The Feast of the Hungry Ghosts is dedicated to those among the dead who are not one's own ancestors. Celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th month (the Chinese calendar), this festival's aim is to pacify the uncared-for and abandoned dead. Included among this list are those who died without descendents, those with unfilial sons, those who died faraway from their families, or those who died in childhood. The most frightening of all the dead are those who had been murdered or had committed suicide. These were ghosts who had never been given a proper burial and would forever haunt the scene of their death as they only sought revenge for their deaths.

The Chinese believe that during the seventh month, the gates of the underworld are released and that time, ghosts will wander about freely. On the 15th day, Buddhist and Taoist priests will chant liturgies, perform rituals, offer incense, paper money and food to the ghosts. During the climax of the ceremony, the priests will throw buns and sweets to the hungry ghosts. This is usually a signal to the children in the crowd to rush and grab the goods.

During the festival, the living and the dead are both entertained by street-side attractions like opera, theatre and other musical performances.

[Guest]

so, this 15th day is tonight? should drink more Martell before going to sleep

[stefania]

Erm think there's a time frame of like some days or weeks. Nah, don't listen to me, Chinese Singaporeans help?

[Guest]

Think it's for like the whole month, not just the 15th.

[Guest]

All Chinese’s scare talk abt it, even word "ghost" scare them in this period of time. During Halloween all clubs have party, during Ghost festival nobody joke abt it