盂兰盆报恩超荐法会 Ullambana Dharma Assembly

Origin of Ullambana

Contrary to popular Chinese belief that the 7th lunar month is a period when the gates of hell are thrown open, the Buddhist community observes Ullambana, which falls on the full-moon day of the 7th month, as a day of great joy focusing on two universal virtues: filial love and parental gratitude.

Ullambana originated from one of Buddha’s key disciple Maha Mogallana, who in his deep meditative state saw his late mother reborn as a hungry ghost due to her karmic afflictions. The Buddha advised Mogallana to make offerings to the Sangha members on the full moon day of the 7thlunar month when they came out from their 3-month rainy retreat. With this great merit and the power of the Triple Gem, his mother was liberated from her sufferings.

The Buddha exhorted all his disciples to continue to observe this noble practice for the liberation of suffering for their current parents as well as the parents of their seven past lives.

Today, Ullambana is widely observed by the Buddhist community with the recitation of Buddhist scriptures and making offerings to the Sangha community, in loving memory of departed ancestors and loved ones. At the same time, it is also important that we remember to show filial compassion and gratitude to our parents and elders who are still living for their kindness and sacrifice in bringing us up.

盂兰盆会的由来

不同于一般华人传统上认为农历7月是鬼门开的月份，佛教则是在农历7月15日举行孝亲及报恩的法会— 盂兰盆会。

盂兰盆会源自于佛陀弟子目连尊者，因思念往生的母亲，以天眼看见其母因生前恶业受报，而堕入饿鬼道。目连尊者为救其母脱离死苦，向佛陀请示解救之法。目连尊者照着佛陀的指示，于农历7月15日奉养完成结夏安居三个月的僧众，他母亲终获升天脱离鬼道。

佛陀期许弟子们延续这个供养仪式，以孝顺慈忆所生父母，乃至七世父母。

现今佛教寺院多在农历7月15日举办盂兰盆会，供奉三宝，施佛及僧，思念祖先恩泽。同时，也提醒世人要孝顺及感念在世父母的恩情。