香港潮人盂蘭勝會
Yu Lan Ghost Festival of the Hong Kong Chiu Chow community

「盂蘭節」的起源眾說紛紜，佛、道兩家各有不同傳說。道家稱之為「中元節」，相傳七月「鬼門關」大開，無主孤魂到陽間接受施食。佛家則有「目連救母」的故事。後人便在七月舉行盂蘭勝會，超渡無主孤魂，並附薦先人。

香港潮人盂蘭勝會始於一八九七年的香港潮州公和堂，各項傳統儀式由潮人社群代代相傳至今。潮人盂蘭勝會每年農曆七月舉行，為期一個月。本地潮汕人士約有百多萬，盂蘭會約有六十多個，他們積極傳承潮汕的人文風俗。盂蘭勝會除了進行宗教儀式外，會場有竹棚戲臺上演傳統神功戲，以及大型的花牌及扎作等，是展現民間傳統風俗的重要場合。

There are difference legends about the origin of the Yu Lan Hungry Ghost Festival from the Buddhism and Taoism traditions. Taoist called it the “Ghost Festival”. According to legend, the “gates of hell” opens every July for the unclaimed souls to return to accept offerings. Buddhist tradition tells the tale of Mu Lin saving his mother. From generations to generations, people organize Yu Lan Ghost Festival to pray for redemption and good karma for their ancestors and the lonely souls.

Hong Kong Chiu Chow Yu Lan ghost festical began in 1897. The traditional ceremony has been officiated by the community for generations. Yu Lan Ghost Festival starts from the first day of the seventh lunar month and continues until the end of that month. There are more than a million people originating from Chiu Chow in Hong Kong who actively carry on their traditions, with more than 60 active Yu Lan clubs. Having been held for more than 100 years, the festival is to offer sacrifices to ancestors and the wandering ghosts in the netherworld. The main activities include burning incense and joss papers, performing live Chinese operas and dramas for the ghosts, distributing auspicious rice and auctioning auspicious objects.