THE HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL

The Hungry Ghost Festival is traditionally a Chinese Taoist Festival celebrated on the 15th night of the 7th lunar month. This month is generally referred to as the ghost month, when the ghosts and spirits are released from the ‘lower realm’ to roam in the human world. As such, travels, weddings and other auspicious celebrations are generally avoided during this time.


Both Taoist and Buddhist temples will hold special prayers for the departed souls. The most elaborate ceremonies are found in Taoist temples where Chinese operas, stage shows together with dinners are usually held in the temple premises or their vicinities. To the uninformed, those few empty tables and chairs at the front of the stages are reserved for ‘visiting ghosts’ that might want to join in the fun.

Believers would bring offerings and other paraphernalia made from paper and bamboo strips for their departed relatives. Taoist priests will perform rituals, chant prayers and do their elaborated moves, accompanied by beats from cymbals and drums to bring peace as well as to help the ghosts to go on their ways safely. These ceremonies are also meant for those homeless and hungry ghosts that have nobody to pray for them.

The climax of the month long festival is the burning of the effigy of the Deity “Da Shi Ye” or Guardian God of Ghosts.

Taoist priests chanting, while doing their
 intricate movments to bless the departed souls.



The priest's helper carrying the altar of
the departed to the paper boat so as to
send them on their ways back to the lower realm.



Family members being blessed by the
priests by circling the prayer area.

These roasted pigs were donated by
believers. In the background was the effigy
of the "Da She Ye".

Helpers helping to chop up and
distribute the roast pork to believers. 

Some of the paper horses offered to
 be burnt at the end of the festival.

One of the performers.

The priests were doing their final chanting of prayers.

All paper effigies, including the Diety "Da She Ye"
or God Of Ghost being burnt at the end of the festival.

THE NINE EMPEROR GODS (KOW WONG YEH).

The festival of the Nine Emperor Gods is one of the most grand festivals of Taoism. This festival begins on the eve of the 9th month of the lunar calender. Dedicated to the nine sons of Dou Mu Yuan Jun (The Goddess of the North Star) and Dau Fui Yuan Jun. The nine sons, also known as the Nine Emperor Gods, are worshipped as the patrons of properity, wealth and good health. It is the immigrants from the provinces of Fujian and Quangdung (Widely practiced in Southern China) who brought with them this practice to S.E.Asia.
On the eve of the 9th lunar month, temples of the dieties hold ceremonies to welcome the Nine Emperor Gods from the river sides or seashores. Devotees usually observe nine days of strict vegetarian diets. The climax of the festival is the fire-walking ceremony (only done by those who have observed 9 days of vegetarian diets) followed by the sending off of the Gods. Most times street processions are organised on a grand scale with devotees going into trances. Some might even have their cheeks pierced by  long lances which they carry throughout the processions. Marching bands, flower girls and floats add to the carnival like atmostphere. The main attractions are the heavy sedan chairs carried by four or more devotees in white that will swirl and swing as they slowly move along with the procession.

A devotee praying and
burning paper offerings.



A devotee having his cheek pierced
 by a long lance conducted by the master.




Devotee in a trance, prancing
round the temple compound.



Fire walking is on the last day of
 the festival preceding the sending
 off of the Nine Emperor Gods.




Devotees from other races
 sometimes join in too.



Lion and dragon dances are
a  part of the procession.

 

The giant flag bearers show
off their skill by manoeuvering,
 tossing to each other and
 balancing the flags.

Marching bands are the ones
 providing the beats and
modern music to the mood.

The gaiety of the festival are
 shown on the faces of these girls.








 

MALAYSIAN THAIPUSAM FESTIVAL..

Thaipusam, the Hindu Festival, is mostly observed by the Tamil community in Malaysia. At the Batu Caves temple in Kuala Lumpur, the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple of Penang and the Sri Subramaniam Temple in Ipoh the occasion is celebrated on a grand scale.

This festival is to commemorate the occasion where Parvati gave Murugan a vel (spear) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.

Carrying the kavadi by devotees is a physical burden through which devotees implore for help from the God, Murugan.

They prepare themselves for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayers and fasting. Kavadi bearers also observe celibacy and take only satvik (pure and clean) food. Many of them will shave their heads too.

The kavadis can be in many forms. Most will just carry pots of milk, which was the norm, while others will practice mortification of the flesh by piercing their skin, tonques or cheeks.

A believer getting
her head shaved

Even female devotees
shaved their heads.

In a trance.

A devotee with pierced
skin leading the way.

The compulsory bath.

Piercing the skin.

Kavadis can be in all forms.

A young devotee.

A pair of loving parents
soothing their child.

WESAK DAY IN MALAYSIA.

Wesak Day is a day observed by Buddhists all over the world. It is celebrated by all the different sects of Buddhism as the birthday, enlightenment and  the passing away of Gautama Buddha. Buddhists will gather at their respective temples before dawn to offer hymns, flowers and candles in prayers. Devotees are also called to avoid all kinds of killing and to eat vegetarian food. The following photographs showed some of the celebrations and practices at the Enlightened Heart Buddhist Centre (a Malaysian Tibetan Buddhist temple) at Ampang, Ipoh, Perak.

The sunning (to draw power from the sun)

 of the 60m X 12m giant thanka (painting)

 of the Sakyamurni Buddha at the
Buddhist Enlightened Heart Buddhist
 Center near Ampang, Ipoh.

The beginning of reversing

the position of the giant thanka.

At the end of reversing.

Everybody helps to return the
 giant thanka back to the temple.

Bathing the Buddha.

Devotees seeking blessings.

A devotee seeking
blessing for her family.

Devotees carrying an image
of a Tibetan deity during

circumambulation ritual to seek blessings.

Devotees signing on tiles
as donations to the temple building fun.