What is the Ghost Month? Where does it come from?
Every 7th lunar month, many Vietnamese people mention “Ghost Month” with considerable fear and taboo. So, where does the Ghost Month truly originate, and what is its significance from cultural and spiritual perspectives? According to Venerable Thich Tam Hai, a member of the Executive Council and Deputy Head of the Central Information and Communication Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the term “Ghost Month” only reflects a part of folk customs and is not the orthodox view of Buddhism.
Vu Lan Festival and the Story of Muc Kien Lien
The origin of this concept is linked to the Vu Lan Festival, one of the major holidays of Northern Buddhism, held on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. The Vu Lan Festival originates from the Vu Lan Bon Sutra, which tells the story of Muc Kien Lien (Maudgalyayana), a great disciple of the Buddha Shakyamuni, renowned for his supreme supernatural powers. When his mother, Thanh De, passed away, he used his powers to look across all realms and saw her suffering in hell due to heavy karma. Grieving for his mother, he sought to save her but could not do so alone. The Buddha taught that to save his mother, he had to invite monks from all directions to gather on the 15th day of the 7th month to chant sutras, repent, and make offerings. Through the collective power of the Sangha, his mother was liberated.
Since then, the Vu Lan Festival has become an occasion for descendants to remember, be grateful, and repay filial piety to their parents and ancestors. In Buddhist philosophy, besides humans, there are other forms of existence, known as the six realms of reincarnation. Some people, after death, due to their karma or unnatural deaths (like accidents), cannot be reborn according to their destiny and must wander in a state of homelessness. These are the “lonely spirits” (co hon) that folk tradition often mentions.
Why is it called “Ghost Month”?
From the ritual of giving food to the folk term
In Buddhism, the ritual for these homeless spirits is called “thi thuc” (giving food), commonly known as “cung co hon” or offering porridge. According to Northern tradition, this ritual is often performed during family and temple ceremonies, depending on local customs. During the Vu Lan season, this spirit is linked to filial piety and compassion, encouraging people to think of and share with those in difficulty, both the living and the dead.
Venerable Thich Tam Hai explains: “In the seventh month, for generations, besides performing filial duties to the deceased, there are also meaningful acts like this. Many places follow this beautiful custom, offering trays for unfortunate spirits, which we often call in short ‘co hon’ - souls without a family home to rely on. Thus, the 7th lunar month is also called, somewhat one-sidedly, Ghost Month.” Therefore, “Ghost Month” is a folk term reflecting charitable activities and sharing with homeless spirits, not a month of bad luck or rampant ghosts as many believe.
The blend of Buddhism and indigenous beliefs
Since Buddhism entered Vietnam over 2000 years ago, it has deeply integrated with local culture, blending with the Vietnamese ancestral worship tradition to create a unique cultural identity. This blend is likened to “milk and water,” inseparable. Thus, many folk beliefs have entered temple life, and conversely, many Buddhist philosophies have become common sayings. This explains why Vietnamese people have both the custom of offering to lonely spirits and the Vu Lan filial piety festival, often happening simultaneously in the 7th lunar month.
Common folk taboos during the Ghost Month
Vietnamese folk culture has many taboos surrounding the 7th lunar month. Here are some common ones and their explanations:
Taboo 1: Not offering, or offering incorrectly, will attract “spirits”
This is a major fear for many during the Ghost Month. People fear that if they don't offer to lonely spirits or do it incorrectly, the spirits will follow them home and cause misfortune. However, according to Venerable Thich Tam Hai, this concept has no basis in Buddhist teachings. He states: “This seems unverifiable and often leads to excessive worry turning into fanaticism.” In reality, offering to lonely spirits comes from compassion and a desire to share with suffering beings, not to ward off or avoid disturbance.
Taboo 2: Avoid traveling, going out at night, and starting major tasks
Many believe that ghosts are more active during the Ghost Month, especially at night, so they limit late outings, especially on the full moon and new moon days. They also avoid weddings, business openings, groundbreaking, and signing contracts for fear of bad luck. These taboos stem from a psychological fear of misfortune and a desire to choose an auspicious time for important matters. However, from a Buddhist perspective, there is no basis for considering the 7th month a bad time for these activities. What matters is one's intention; if one acts with a pure and virtuous mind, success is possible at any time.
Taboo 3: Avoid hanging clothes at night and leaving shoes in disarray
According to folk belief, ghosts can “reside” in clothes hung out at night or follow shoes into the house. Therefore, many avoid hanging clothes overnight, especially in the Ghost Month. In reality, this is a scientifically sound piece of advice: clothes hung at night dry slowly, are prone to mold and bacteria, which is harmful to health. Keeping shoes tidy is a good habit that keeps the home clean and orderly, creating a peaceful feeling.
Taboo 4: Avoid picking up fallen money, avoiding haircuts, avoiding eating offerings...
Some avoid picking up money on the street for fear it is “ghost money” that brings bad luck. They avoid haircuts fearing it cuts away fortune. They avoid eating offerings before they are presented for fear of angering the spirits. These taboos all stem from anxiety and a desire for safety. However, they lack scientific or doctrinal basis. Picking up money can be a good deed if we try to return it; haircuts do not affect fortune; eating should be on time, without excessive restriction.
The Buddhist view on Ghost Month taboos
Fear is not the Buddhist spirit
Venerable Thich Tam Hai emphasizes: “In the Buddhist spirit, the 7th lunar month is a month of gratitude, filial piety, and love.” The Vu Lan season should not become a time of fear or adherence to formalistic rituals. The core meaning of the Vu Lan season is to remember kindness, practice filial piety, and know how to love and share with all people and beings.
Superstition depends on the practitioner's motivation
According to the Venerable, “Rituals are based on faith. Whether it is superstition or not depends on the motivation of the person performing or requesting the ritual. If rituals are performed with the motive of seeking, begging, bartering, or profiteering, then it is superstition.” If we worship only to beg for luck, wealth, or out of fear of misfortune, that is superstition. Conversely, if we perform rituals with a sincere heart, gratitude to ancestors, and love for those in need, it is a beautiful cultural practice.
Offering to lonely spirits is a form of charity, expressing compassion
Offering to lonely spirits in the 7th lunar month, from a Buddhist perspective, is a form of charity (dana), one of the wholesome deeds of a Buddhist. Charity is not only giving money or material things but also giving love and sharing. Offering to lonely spirits is a way for the living to show compassion to suffering, homeless beings. This helps the giver cultivate compassion, let go of anger and selfishness, and live more peacefully.
How to perform rituals in the 7th lunar month in the true Buddhist spirit
Regarding the time of offering
According to Venerable Thich Tam Hai, the full moon offering in the 7th month does not necessarily have to be done exactly on the 15th day. It can be done on any day during the month. The most important thing is the sincere intention of the practitioner.
Regarding the offering trays
The 7th month full moon offering often includes three main trays: one for the Buddha, one for ancestors, and one for lonely spirits. Depending on family conditions and regional customs, these trays may vary.
- Buddha offering tray: Usually a vegetarian meal or fruits, cakes, and sweet soup. This expresses reverence to the Buddha and prays for the peace of all beings.
- Ancestor offering tray: Usually a vegetarian meal or a meal with simple dishes the deceased loved in life. Venerable Thich Tam Hai emphasizes: “For parents, grandparents, and ancestors, sometimes a tray with simple dishes linked to the life, culture, and memories of the deceased is enough, not something luxurious.” The most important thing is an attitude of respect, treating the deceased as if they are present.
- Lonely spirits offering tray: Often includes a bowl of thin porridge (cooled), ripe fruits, sticky rice, sweet soup, cakes, and sometimes simple items like cassava, sweet potatoes, popcorn, rice, salt, and sugar. According to the Venerable, offering to lonely spirits is a beautiful custom expressing compassion. However, one should avoid killing animals for offerings.
Regarding prayers
Many wonder if they must read a specific “prayer” found online. According to Venerable Thich Tam Hai, Buddhists have prayers composed by patriarchs in the Vu Lan Bon Sutra, the Bao Hieu Sutra, or daily chanting rituals. However, people can express themselves in their own simple words, like a message in life, as long as they have sincere reverence and earnestness towards their ancestors and departed parents, as well as towards lonely spirits.
How to make the 7th lunar month meaningful and peaceful?
Instead of living in fear and taboo, we can turn the 7th lunar month into a truly meaningful month with practical actions:
Practice filial piety with living parents and grandparents
During the Vu Lan season, take time to care for and visit your parents and grandparents. A family meal, a kind word, a small gift... are all genuine acts of filial piety. For the deceased, we show reverence by offering incense, performing rituals, tending to their graves, and living better lives to bring them peace.
Do good deeds and help those in need
Turn your attention to the unfortunate, the poor, and the lonely. It could be a charitable meal, a small gift, or simply a word of encouragement and sharing. Volunteering not only helps others but also brings us a sense of peace and joy.
Live mindfully and cultivate yourself
The 7th lunar month is an opportunity to reflect, cultivate one's character, practice good deeds, and avoid evil. Vegetarianism, reciting Buddha's name, chanting sutras, and listening to Dharma talks are methods to purify the mind and orient towards goodness.
Do not believe unfounded rumors
According to Venerable Thich Tam Hai, rumors like “the bigger the offering, the more merit” or “taboos of the Ghost Month” should be viewed with caution. This information lacks foundation, often stemming from inner anxiety, fear, or from those who exploit beliefs for profit. He states: “As long as people have inner anxieties, invisible fears, fear of being caught for wrongdoing, or insatiable greed, such baseless information will continue to spread.”
Conclusion
The 7th lunar month, also known as Ghost Month, is a distinctive spiritual cultural trait of the Vietnamese people, deeply influenced by Buddhism. However, understanding and practice can vary. From a Buddhist perspective, the 7th lunar month is a month of gratitude, filial piety, and compassion. We should focus on the positive values of the Vu Lan season and avoid superstitious taboos and unfounded fears. Let this month be an occasion to slow down, return to our roots, love and share more, making life more meaningful and peaceful.
