In this Buddhist
legend, the protagonist Moginlin learns that his mother's ghost is being
tortured in Hades by starvation and hanging and thus embarks on a grueling
journey to the underworld bringing food to ease her hunger. When he finally
succeeds in finding his mother, Moginlin offers the food to her but it
erupts into flames before she swallow. He is so despairing, and he
begs Sakymuni to show him a way to bring salvation to his mother. The Buddha
tells him, "It is impossible for you to save her by your own. You must
try to find ten monks and pray together on the 15th day of the seventh
moon." Following the Sakymuni's instructions, Moginlin begins a ritual
Buddhist fast and chants the sutras until finally he succeeds in releasing
his mother from hell. This legend has been told through the ages and is
celebrated on Chung Yuan by Buddhists around the world, holding ceremonies
of charity. Thus, the 15th day of the seventh moon has become an occasion
for teaching the virtues of filial piety.
For Taoist people. Ghost Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh moon, called "Chung Yuan," and Chung Yuan falls between Shang Yuan on the 15th of the first moon, known as the day the Ruler of Heaven bestows fortune; and Hsia Yuan on the 15th day of the tenth moon, when the Ruler of Water alleviates suffering. For this reason, generous sacrifices are prepared for the Ruler of Earth and to ancestors during Ghost Festival.