Jung Yuan Pu Du

Jung Yuan Pu Du is a blend of folk religion (ancestor worship ie. ghosts), Taoism (Jung Yuan (7/15) is Taiost God Di Guan's (地官) birthday) and Buddhism. The Buddhist religion has the "Ullambana" rite (盂蘭盆會) which is held on 7/15 and is a rite of offering food to the dead.

The story goes that Mu Lian, a disciple of Buddha, wanted to save his mother who was languishing in hell and unable to eat food without it turning to fire. Mu Lian organized a large gathering of monks to chant and offer food, thus alleviating his mothers suffering. This custom has continued and evolved into present Jung Yuan Pu Du customs.

Jung Yuan Pu Du activities to look for are Chiang Gu (搶孤) competitions in Toucheng, Hengchun and Pingtung in which people compete to feed the most ghosts by climbing slippery bamboo poles, assuring themselves of an auspicious year. And the reading of the sutras (誦經普渡) to help wandering souls find paradise which can be seen in temples throughout Taiwan during ghost month.

Other ghost month festivals include:Yi Ming festival (義民節) at Yi Ming Temples (7/20), Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Festival (地藏王祭日) (7/29) and the Keelung Water Lantern Festival (基隆放水燈) (7/14).

The prominence of Jung Yuan Pu Du arose due to the dangers early immigrants to Taiwan, often without family to care for them in death. Therefore there were many wandering souls to appease lest even more calamity befall. Beyond this, however, the true spirit of the Jung Yuan Pu Du Festival lies in compassion for suffering, strengthening social ties, teaching youth filial piety and the harmonious combining of the yin and yang realms.

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