Each year in the 7th month (late August to early September) Chinese celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival. It is a bit similar to Halloween here in the West. In a magazin for chinese music i found some more profound infos on the festival and its history. It reminds me very much of Hex 27.
Chime Journal, page 35ff.
The story of the Hungry Ghost Festival is the tale of Mu Lian, a disciple of the Buddha. Through his great spiritual powers Mu Lian discovers that his mother was reborn as a hungry ghost. He makes offerings of food to her, demonstrating to her that one who has become a Buddhist monk might still observe proper Confucian rites for dead, but all food turns into flaming coals in her mouth. (Becoming a Buddhist monk or nun contradicted the traditional Confucian view that one´s primary responsible in life is to demonstrate solicitude and respect for one´s living and dead ancestors.) Mu Lian asks the Buddha for advice. The Buddha informs Mu Lian that the sins of his mother are too deep to expiate them by himself. The Buddha thereupon preaches a method by which hungry ghosts can be saved. This method includes giving offerings to the monastic community at the 15th day in the seventh month, right after 3 months of heightened asceticism when the community has accumulated a lot of spiritual power.
The Festivals seem to have been spectacular colourful with lots of rites, music and food. It was also a great entertainment for the living. The participation of monks was deemed essential for the salvation of ghosts. Over time the Hungry Ghost Festival became increasingly popular.
Later on the tale of Mu Lian appears in many more variations but at core it is about a hungry ghost longing for salvation.
This tale reminds me very much of Hex 27, Nourishment, the symbol of an open (hungry) mouth. The 4 inner Yin lines are a symbol for darkness. Already the first line talks about the dropped tortoise. That might be the mother´s fear her son gave up taoist/confucian rites for dead. Line 2 talks about deviating from the path to seek nourishment from the hill (a temple). The tiger to me is the mother (the hungry ghost) seeking nourishment/salvation.
There is certainly more to say about the Hexagram and the salvation of ghosts / ancestors which seems to have been a major task of living family members. Thus it should be found in the Yi. Additionally i read that different religious groups of that day haven´t been less hostile to each other than it is the case of today. Taoists, Confucianists and Buddhists often weren´t friendly to each other and/or united in spirituality. Many different schools in all 3 major religious groups existed. Sometimes they were fierce competitors.
However, if you draw Hex 27, Nourishment, you might be haunted by a ghost :mischief:
Any thoughts are welcome, cheers :)
Chime Journal, page 35ff.
The story of the Hungry Ghost Festival is the tale of Mu Lian, a disciple of the Buddha. Through his great spiritual powers Mu Lian discovers that his mother was reborn as a hungry ghost. He makes offerings of food to her, demonstrating to her that one who has become a Buddhist monk might still observe proper Confucian rites for dead, but all food turns into flaming coals in her mouth. (Becoming a Buddhist monk or nun contradicted the traditional Confucian view that one´s primary responsible in life is to demonstrate solicitude and respect for one´s living and dead ancestors.) Mu Lian asks the Buddha for advice. The Buddha informs Mu Lian that the sins of his mother are too deep to expiate them by himself. The Buddha thereupon preaches a method by which hungry ghosts can be saved. This method includes giving offerings to the monastic community at the 15th day in the seventh month, right after 3 months of heightened asceticism when the community has accumulated a lot of spiritual power.
The Festivals seem to have been spectacular colourful with lots of rites, music and food. It was also a great entertainment for the living. The participation of monks was deemed essential for the salvation of ghosts. Over time the Hungry Ghost Festival became increasingly popular.
Later on the tale of Mu Lian appears in many more variations but at core it is about a hungry ghost longing for salvation.
This tale reminds me very much of Hex 27, Nourishment, the symbol of an open (hungry) mouth. The 4 inner Yin lines are a symbol for darkness. Already the first line talks about the dropped tortoise. That might be the mother´s fear her son gave up taoist/confucian rites for dead. Line 2 talks about deviating from the path to seek nourishment from the hill (a temple). The tiger to me is the mother (the hungry ghost) seeking nourishment/salvation.
There is certainly more to say about the Hexagram and the salvation of ghosts / ancestors which seems to have been a major task of living family members. Thus it should be found in the Yi. Additionally i read that different religious groups of that day haven´t been less hostile to each other than it is the case of today. Taoists, Confucianists and Buddhists often weren´t friendly to each other and/or united in spirituality. Many different schools in all 3 major religious groups existed. Sometimes they were fierce competitors.
However, if you draw Hex 27, Nourishment, you might be haunted by a ghost :mischief:
Any thoughts are welcome, cheers :)