Ullambana
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Ullambana lierally means "deliverance from sufferings" and specially refers to the salvation of sufferings, afflictions, or worries of seven generations of fathers and mothers who are presently facing the sufferings of hungry
ghosts and for the present father and mother to reach a hundred years without illness. This concept originates from the story of
Mahamaudgalyayana who followed the principles and teachings laid down by Gautam Buddha to bring salavation to his seven generation of father and mother from all the sufferings and hunger. This day is celebrated Chung Yuan by Buddhists around the world,
holding ceremonies of charity so that the outcast and famished ghosts may cross over to salvation. Thus, the 15th day of the seventh month has become an occasion for teaching the virtues of filial piety.
Gautam Buddha told all holy men and holy women, "those disciples of the Buddha who cultivate filial conduct should in thought after thought, constantly recall their present fathers and mothers when making offerings, as well as the
fathers and mothers of seven lives past. Every year, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, they should always, out of filial compassion, recall their parents who bore them and those of seven lives past, and for their sakes perform the offering of the
Ullambana basin to the Buddha and the Sangha and thus repay the loving kindness of the parents who raised and nourished them. All Buddhas' disciples should respectfully receive this dharma."
Legend About Ullambana
Mahamaudgalyayana, the disciple of Buddha, after obtaing the six penetrations, wished to cross over his father and mother to repay their kindness for raising him. Using his divine eye, he saw that his deceased mother had been born
among the hungry ghosts who is not having the food or the drink. Mahaudgalayana felt deep pity and sadness, filled a bowl with food and went to provide for his mother. She got the bowl, screened it with her left hand, and with her right hand made a fist of
food. But, before it entered her mouth, it turned into flames and could not be eaten. Mahamaudgalyayana hastened to return to the Buddha to set forth all of this.
The Buddha said, "your mother's offenses are deep and firmly rooted. You alone do not have enough power to bring salavation to her sufferings".
The awesome spiritual power of the assembled Sangha or monks of the ten directions is neceessary for the liberation to be attained.
The Buddha told Maudgalyayana: "The fifteenth day of the seventh month is the
Pravarana day for the assembled Sangha of the ten directions. For the sake of fathers and mothers of seven generations past, as well as for fathers and mothers of the present who are in distress, you should offer pravarana food to the assembly of Sangha
of the ten directions on Pravarana Day."
If one makes offerings to these Provarana Sangha, one's present father and mother, parents of seven generations, as well as the six kinds of close relatives, will escape from the three paths of sufferings. And at that time attain release.
Maudgalyayana followed the steps shown by Gautam Buddha and that helped her mother to obtain liberation from one kalpa of suffering as a hungry ghost.
From that days onwards this day is being celebrated and observed for bringing salvation to the sufferings of the past seven generation of father and mother and to bring in all biss in the lives of the present parents.