Ullambana is a buddhist festival that occurs on the full moon day of the seventh lunar month. When i say this name it does not ring a bell for many, but if i mention the word hungry ghost festival, everyone will immediately relate to the month of incense buring, getai, etc.
The chinese has integrated the original buddhist festival with folk culture and it becomes a time where the gates of hell opens and all ghosts are released for a month of holiday. Buddhists however believe that this is the 'Buddha Blissfulness' festival where we should donate and provide to people in need.
I went to the Ullambana celebration held in the Mahaprajna buddhist society. The ceremony starts at 11am, whereby the assembly sings the society anthem and proceed to recide the Ullambana Sutra. It was a simple yet harmonizing experience. No incense burning, no great fanfare.
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