When I was in Xiamen, Purdue Festival was celebrated in July of the lunar calendar every year. Some people call it Mid-Autumn Festival, while others call it July and a half. People call it Ghost Festival, which has lasted for several generations. Ghost Festival is second only to Spring Festival. From the first day of July to the thirtieth day, people celebrate this festival. Villages and streets take turns to arrange good days and hold ceremonies such as Pudu and Shuideng. On that day, friends were invited to have a big meal. They carried the Buddha and lined up for the next village. In the next village, every family prepares meals and holds a big banquet to entertain guests. People will spend a year's savings at this time. Purdue Festival uses a certain ceremony to invite ghosts and gods from heaven and earth to enjoy themselves on earth.

I first came to Xiamen in July of the lunar calendar in 1989, just in time for Purdue Festival. When you see other people's activities, follow others to see what is going on. Purdue's rituals mainly include: inviting ghosts, giving food, chanting scriptures and exorcising ghosts.

Summoning ghosts: that is, opening the gate of hell and inviting ghosts from the underworld to the underworld. At that time, this activity in Lianban area was very lively. From the 80-year-old man to the doll lying on his mother's back, they are immersed in the lively ghost festival. The landlord's grandmother said, "On the first day of July, please ask the ghost to come out. In order to let the ghost walk smoothly from the dark hell to the world, it is necessary to erect lamp poles and hang lanterns in front of the temple to guide the ghost. The higher the lamppost, the wider the bright range, and the more ghosts who come to eat food. Every temple should cook a lot of food to avoid more ghosts and less porridge. Respect for ghosts and gods will not cause harm to people. " I'm beginning to think this place is too superstitious. What ghosts and gods are there?

At that time, there was a river near Toyama Exhibition City in Lianban, and some people put water lanterns in the water. I asked them what it was for. They said very seriously, "give light to the drowning ghost in the water!" " "What I said at the time was really creepy. They said, "A ghost who has been locked up for a year has come to eat. You can't keep him in the dark, can you? "Before there were some dead people buried in the fishing village here. Open the ghost door, let them out and let them have a look. " After the gate of hell was opened, the villagers began to take turns on duty in groups, providing food and sacrifices every day to ensure safety.

Shi Shi

The most important ceremony of Purdue Festival in July is "giving food", and believers should offer a lot of food to orphans. The old people put the best food on the table and some clothes to make the ghost live comfortably on earth. Food for ghosts is also given to everyone. Once the local villagers gave me a lot of rice lambs and apples, which people thought would bring good luck. Sometimes people rob offerings. They call it "grabbing loneliness", and grabbing time is the most lively moment in the process of Purdue.

speak the spell

When crossing Purdue in southern Fujian, in order to sacrifice ghosts, Buddhist and Taoist Purdue ceremonies are often held. One year in Purdue, I went to Nanputuo Temple, where I chanted for ghosts and gods, so that the deceased could transcend and reach the Elysium. While chanting the spirit of the original creation, it is also to pray for future generations. Every household sends people to the extra-large table in the temple to offer offerings, including fruit, snacks, wine, nutrition, rice and noodles. The temple is crowded with believers who consciously line up to get their own food. This unique ritual activity, burning incense and worshiping God, lasted for one month. The wizards shouted for them that the soul of the dead was transcending.

drive off

The "ghost gate" on July 29th of the lunar calendar is the end of Purdue. That night, the villagers prepared food and drinks at their doorsteps to "send away ghosts". The lamppost in front of the temple was demolished, and the end of Purdue was announced. In order to prevent orphans from returning to the underworld, please ask Zhong Kui to detain orphans to keep one side safe. Interestingly, it rains heavily every day. Grandma said: "It always rains heavily before closing the door, so that orphans can wash up and go back to the gate of hell." Interestingly, it rains heavily on this day every year. This year is the typhoon season, with heavy rain in southern Fujian.

I was deeply moved by the courage of Minnan people.

I remember once, I asked an old man in Gulangyu, "Who do you send offerings to?" The old man said, "When Gulangyu Island was liberated, a colonel died here. I went to his grave and sent some offerings and flowers. " And he pointed to the tomb tower of Hao Luna Park, somehow. Tears filled my eyes. Later, I felt the courage of Minnan people more and more. They are very loyal, worship ghosts and gods, and respect orphans who died in a foreign land. This deeply touched me and made me feel more and more that this is the profound folk custom in southern Fujian.