Celebrating Zhongyuan

｜Photo: Fude Temple on Dianzai Street｜

｜Photo: Fude Temple on Dianzai Street｜

According to folk customs, Hell Gate opens in the month of July on the lunar calendar. In this particular month, ghosts and spirits may wander amongst the living, and that’s why the elderly have always reminded us to watch out for so many things. During Zhongyuan Prayers, people would prepare a feast for the wandering spirits to avoid their bringing of troubles.

Zhongyuan Prayers

Fude Temple on Dianzai Street usually hosts the annual Zhongyuan Prayers on the holiday that is closest to the fifteenth of July on the lunar calendar. There will also be Buddhist monks and scripture reciting choir doing a general prayer for the public.

Since space is limited, people must sign up ahead of time. There are only about 1300 openings per year. The temple would set up tables in the courtyard for followers to place the offerings they have prepared.

｜Photo: Fude Temple on Dianzai Street｜

The temple would prepare the supplies needed for the general prayer by combining offerings and paper money together into Zhongyuan Prayers Boxes. Worshippers would then place the offerings on the table. Next, worshippers would light up incense sticks, recite scriptures, and burn paper money for the wandering spirits.

After the prayer, worshippers may retrieve their offerings, or leave them for donation to needy groups so nothing is wasted. Paper money is collected by the Environmental Protection Bureau for incineration.

The Don’ts For Zhongyuan Prayers

If you are unable to pray at the temple, we have gathered the following points to avoid during Zhongyuan Prayers, so you won’t get caught in a predicament.

• The general public could just pick any day in July on lunar calendar to pray.
• People doing business need to pray on the first (opening of Hell Gate), fifteenth (Zhongyuan), and thirtieth (closing of Hell Gate) day of July on the lunar calendar.


｜Photo: Fude Temple on Dianzai Street｜

• While praying, you must place the praying table outside the house, preferably by the entrance.
• The best time to pray to wandering spirits is in the afternoon. Morning is usually reserved for praying to ancestors.
• Offerings must include one whole chicken, pork belly, and a whole fish.
• Do not use bananas, plums, and pears as offerings because the combination of these three fruits may invite ghost spirits to come and stay at your place.

Source Text: The Wondrous Temple Expedition│ Photos: The Wondrous Temple Expedition
Reference: CTI Entertainment Channel – Life Expert – Fude Temple on Dianzai Street https://youtu.be/LfWpX-Y5B7M LTN – Pudu Prohibitions – Do Not Say This While Praying To Wandering Spirits! http://playing.ltn.com.tw/article/130 Fude Temple on Dianzai Street lunar calendar booklet