Jung Yuan Pu Du

Jung Yuan Pu Du could simply be explained as the climax of ghost month, and as such, an explanation of ghost month follows. Ghost month lasts for the whole seventh month of the lunar calendar (this year's ghost month begin (開鬼門) on the twentieth of August and will end (關鬼門) on the 18th of September) and is similar to western Halloween's Celtic origins; it is a time when the gates to the 'yin' or 'ghost' world open and ghosts freely roam the 'yang' or mortal world for a period of time.

However, in contrast to Halloween's modern form of donning costumes and trick or treating, ghost month is a more reverential and solemn affair. The ghosts without descendants to feed them are called "wandering souls (孤魂野鬼)" among many other euphemistic names, but most commonly; "the good brothers (好兄弟)." The good brothers are blamed for many of society's ills and must be placated in order to have a more harmonious society. Placation comes in the form of feasts and chanting.

Many taboos are observed during the month. Few Taiwanese will move, get married, open a business and even swimming is frowned upon as the water is believed to be inhabited by ghosts that can only leave their watery grave by finding a replacement.

Originally Pu Du rites in Taiwan were held continuously throughout the seventh lunar month rotating from households or areas in a village until the end of the month. Following Nationalist efforts to curb lavish temple activities, pu du activities were, for the most part, consolidated on the fifteenth. Currently, ghost month's pu du may be split into three parts: inviting the ghosts on the first, feeding them on the fifteenth and finally sending them away again on the 29th.

For the invitation after the gates are opened, lanterns are hung to guide the ghosts to the offerings. One must be cautious, however, for if too many lanterns are hung attracting too many ghosts, and not enough food is supplied, the spirits could be angered, precipitating in a bad year.

Feeding is the most important part of the Pu Du rite. Temples will have feasts for the ghosts (廟普), but the majority of the feeding will be done by the Taiwan populace by setting up tables full of food in front of workplaces or homes and burning incense, ghost money and colorful paper dieties (街普).

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