Communicating with the dead

The Hungry Ghost Festival just recently passsed. I have always been fascinated of this month where the "Gates of Hell" open and all the restless spirits roam the earth. Sounds scary huh. If you live in a community which is mostly populated by Chinese, during that month, they will set up big tents where prayers and special performances are held for the spirits. The purpose of the performances is because the spirits also want entertainment during that month too. Rumour has it that, these spirits are those who did not die peacefully. If you had observed the roadside, there were joss sticks and food placed at every corner. The purpose of this is so that the "hungry" spirits do not disturb the families. Also during this month, families will go to temples and seek mediums so that they can communicate with the deceased. The medium will first ask the family what they want to ask. Next the medium places joss sticks at the alter and then he starts to chant. Sometimes the medium will shake violently when he is communicating with the deceased. After the shaking subsides he gives the family the answer and the family will make offerings to the temple. This may sound hard to believe because you might think that it is impossible to communicate with the dead, but you will never know that these things are just make up or the real thing.

by Jillian Cheong Ping Ling