Festivals
Malaysia. Not only it is known as a multicultural country, it is also famous for multitude of cultural celebrations and festivals throughout the year. Among them, the one festival that gives me chills into my spine is the "Hungry Ghost Festival". Also dubbed as the Yu Lan or Phor Thor Festival in some countries, it is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th Lunar Month. The 7th month of the Chinese Calendar is regarded as the Ghost Month, where the gate of the Lower Realm (Hell) are open, ghosts and spirits are free to wander around in the world of the living and visiting their living families, as well as to revenged on people who wronged them. Since this is celebrated widely, preparations are held weeks before the day of the festival.
Religious groups such as the Taoist and Buddhist play a very significant role in this celebration. In religious beliefs, ghosts and spirits inspire pity and fear. The reason is because ghosts and spirits that roam around in the world of the living on this day have been denied access to Heaven for certain reasons. In the religious context, when a person, during his life on Earth betrayed his own moral and ethics, conduct only evil and sins, will later on be judged by the amount of good and bad deeds that he has committed. If the bad sins outweigh the good deeds, he will be sent to Hell to receive retribution. Thus, to help these ghosts and spirits, Taoist and Buddhist monks will chant: transmuting the evil acts into good deeds, which could help them to later on get access to Heaven.
Apart from that, almost every small community in a town will set up stage performances, which is also known as the "Ge Tai" to entertain the ghosts and spirits. During the Hungry Ghosts Festival, it is believed that all ghosts and spirits, as well as the living, will gather to watch stage performances such as the puppet show or even singing, by the living. It is important to remember that front seats have to be emptied to accommodate the ghosts and spirits. Elaborate food offerings like roasted suckling pig, chicken, buns and fruits are also served together, allowing the ghosts and spirits to enjoy during this particular festival.
Lastly, it is believed that in order to prevent the ghosts and spirits from entering one's house and causing disturbances, offerings are made by the roadside outside one's house. People will also purchase replica of money notes, bungalows, BMW cars, Smartphone, or even Gucci products from local merchant stores. Together with small amount of food offerings and replica products, it will be burn. According to the ancient sayings, these offerings will be sent to their ancestors through the travel of smoke, allowing them to use the products and to live a better life in the underworld.
During the month of the Hungry Ghosts Festival, it is known as "a bad time to do anything". To the Chinese, it is advisable to not travel or do any important ceremonies such as, weddings or moving houses during this month. As to the businessman, it is not auspicious to close business deals or even getting properties. It is told since past generations that, the ghosts and spirits will look for any living being to take their place in Hell. Hence, it is best to stay home during this festival.
1. Yes. The essay has a thesis statement.
ReplyDeleteSince this is celebrated widely, preparations are held weeks before the day of the festival.
2. Yes. The writer included background information in detail.
First,Malaysia is a multicultural country so it has various celebrations and festivals.
One of the festival the wrote want to talk about is "Hungry Ghost Festival" which is also called "the Yu Lan or Phor thor festival."
It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th Lunar month.On that they people believe the spirits of ancestors visit their home.
3. Yes. In the 3 and 4 paragraphs, the writer mentioned the process.
4. "Apart from that", "Lastly", "Hence" these words made the writing look logical and smooth.
5. The writer used facts, definitions and details in the essay.
6. Yes. The writer gives a warning about the holiday.
your writing is interesting! I first get to knew about Hungry Ghost Festival and you give full details of it.
ReplyDelete1. Yes. The essay has a thesis statement.
So this is celebrated widely, preparations are held weeks before the day of the festival.
2. Yes.
Malaysia has very various festivals and the writer explains Hungry Ghost Festival. Malaysians believe that ghosts and sprits roam freely in the world on the day of festival. So people prepare the festival by setting up stage performances, making food, and purchasing the offerings.
3. Yes. In the 2,3,and 4 paragraphs, she wrote the process.
4. Yes. she used "Thus", "since", "apart from that" and they make me understand the writing more easily.
5. Yes. body paragraphs have facts, definitions, and details.
6. Yes. The writer gives a warning and explain with the examples.
Festivals (Second Draft)
ReplyDeleteMalaysia. Not only it is a multicultural country, it is also famous for multitude of cultural celebrations and festivals throughout the year. Among them, the one festival that gives me chills into my spine is the “Hungry Ghost Festival”. Also dubbed as the Yu Lan or Phor Thor Festival in some countries, it is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th Lunar Month. The 7th month of the Chinese Calendar is regarded as the Ghost Month, where the gate of the Lower Realm (Hell) are open, ghosts and spirits are free to wander around in the world of the living and visiting their living families, as well as to revenge on people who wronged them. Since this is celebrated widely, preparations are held weeks before the day of the festival.
Religious groups such as the Taoist and Buddhist play a very significant role in this celebration. In religious beliefs, ghosts and spirits inspire pity and fear. The reason is because ghosts and spirits that roam around in the world of the living on this day have been denied access to Heaven for certain reasons. In the religious context, when a person, during his life on Earth betrayed his own moral and ethics, conducted only evil and sins, will later on be judged by the amount of good and bad deeds that he has committed. If the bad sins outweigh the good deeds, he will be sent to Hell to receive retribution. Thus, to help these ghosts and spirits, Taoist and Buddhist monks will chant: transmuting the evil acts into good deeds, which could help them to later on get access to Heaven.
Apart from that, almost every small community in a town will set up stage performances, which is also known as the “Ge Tai” to entertain the ghosts and spirits. During the Hungry Ghosts Festival, it is believed that all ghosts and spirits, as well as the living, will gather to watch stage performances such as the puppet show or even singing, by the living. It is important to remember that front seats have to be emptied to accommodate the ghosts and spirits. Elaborate food offerings like roasted suckling pig, chicken, buns and fruits are also served together, allowing the ghosts and spirits to enjoy during this particular festival.
Lastly, it is believed that in order to prevent the ghosts and spirits from entering one’s house and causing disturbances, offerings are made by the roadside outside one’s house. People will also purchase replica of money notes, bungalows, BMW cars, Smartphone, or even Gucci products from local merchant stores. Together with small amount of food offerings and replica products, it will be burn. According to the ancient sayings, these offerings will be sent to their ancestors through the travel of smoke, allowing them to use the products and to live a better life in the underworld.
During the month of the Hungry Ghosts Festival, it is known as “a bad time to do anything”. To the Chinese, it is advisable to not travel or do any important ceremonies like weddings or moving houses during this month. As to the businessman, it is not auspicious to close business deals or even getting properties. It is told since past generations that, the ghosts and spirits will look for any living being to take their place in Hell. Hence, it is best to stay home during this festival.