Festival of the Hungry Ghosts

Buddhist Halloween?

Hungry ghosts are creatures with huge, empty stomachs, but they have pinhole mouths, and their necks are so thin they cannot swallow. They are tormented by insatiable hunger and craving.

People who are greedy and envious are in danger of being reborn as hungry ghosts. Hungry ghosts also can be understood allegorically as people with addictions or obsessions.

So what better subject for a festival?

Feeding the Hungry Ghosts

There are hungry ghost festivals in July and August in many Asian countries.