The Hungry Ghost Festival

Today is the seventh month of the Chinese calendar year. It is also the month of the Hungry Ghost Festival. Tradition has it that during this month, the gates of Hell will be opened and ghosts are let loose to enjoy the offering people leave for them. The offering comes in the form of incense, hell paper money, food, and candles. There will be open-air stage performances, which we called 'ge-tai', for both the living and otherwise. The elders will also advise the young not to stay out late during this period and to be careful not to offend 'them'. I still remember a teacher of mine had told me that by reciting an ancient prose titled 《正气歌》 aloud, one can walk late in the night without being 'disturbed' by 'them'. If only I can recall how the prose goes... will post the prose when I google it;