Thinking of Ghost Day in Taiwan

Yesterday was the 15th day of the Chinese Lunar Calender which is the main offering day in Ghost Month. This month is said to be when the gates of heaven and hell open and the dead walk freely about. The food is said to be given largely for those who do not have ancestors who regularly make offerings, I guess probably to keep them at bay. Still, I could not help but think of all the lower realms and the states of existence which are certainly unfortunate. Although, these offerings made to ghosts as a defensive measure, I think it reminds us of the help we have gotten in our own lives during unfortunate times.

These ghosts, aren't necessarily limited to spirits we cannot see; really, when we think, there are many in this world, who we can see, that live in very impoverished states. We are quite lucky to live in a time when we have leisure and free time, food, friends, and housing. So many people are born in places where even food and shelter are not taken for granted. I think recently of the famine in Somalia. Animals too, living outside, when it rains, where do they go? They are stuck under trees, bridges, or whatever shelter they can find.

I reminded of a street dog I saw last night when I was leaving the pool hall, thin to the bones, with many red and white rashes across his black fur back. He was being helped by a local veterinarian, well after hours, who had gone inside to get some medicine or food, I guess, and had tied him and muzzled him outside in the mean time.

In many ways we can see the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, our teachers, family, friends, and even our enemies in this way. We are often much like the stray dog, in unfortunate circumstances with little to eat or very desperate for some sort of satisfaction for some other hunger. And, like this veterinarian, they come, even if it is late at night, as was the case here, bring us to a safe place, restrain us to keep us near and from biting our wounds, and then apply medicine and give food, and send us on our way.

It is only due to the kindness of others that we have this precious life and the circumstances of knowing right and wrong. Of course, it is our own karma that we have this life; in this sense it is our own. On the other hand, without those along the way to help us, it would be very hard to make use of our good opportunity; we can say the two exist dependent upon each other. Due to our fortunate karma, although at times we are like the dogs or the ghosts, without anyone apparent to help us, a bodhisattva appears in an unexpected form; they guide us, feed us, and send us on our way.