the living dead

The 7th month of the lunar calendar is ghost month, especially for those who follow Buddhism or Taoism. It is said that the spirits who may have been confined to hell get a month of parole where they can associate with the living. The 15th of the month is considered Pavarana (Zhongyuan or Yu Lan Pen) Day (or Hungry Ghost Festival), which is a day to feast the spirits to please and pacify them, especially any restless ones who may be back to cause misfortune.

As my friend's aunt (22 and 11:11 (part 6)) was channelling what the spirits had to show her as it related to me, it seemed as if many of my ancestors came at her from all angles. She noted that many of them are stuck, and suggested that I should help to set them free. It seemed apropos with ghost month, specifically with today being the 15th of the 7th month. She was also very specific in the temple that would have the appropriate monks to do the blessings...One Pillar Pagoda (Nam Thiên Nhất Trụ).

While I may not believe in organized religions, I do believe that every soul is entitled to have their beliefs and in so doing, may be trapped in the trappings of such beliefs. Out of respect for my ancestors and loved ones, I felt obligated, yet honored, that I had an opportunity of being in the right place at the right time to lend a helping hand. Although my mother had texted me the names, my ancestry app helped me fill in the year of death, and my friend's mom and driver were kind enough to make the journey with me and walk me through the traditions for Cầu Siêu (the deceased) and Cầu An (the sick), as well as appropriate accent marks needed to get the names accurate.

As for the male spirit, she still saw him but he was a lot lighter than the last time she saw him two years ago, and seemed ready to move on as well. It is interesting that the default for Vietnamese is to think that not getting married was a curse, rather than the perspective that perhaps the male spirit was protecting me from the wrong relationship(s) (face of the girl (part 1) and 22). There have been times in the past few months when I thought he may have moved on that I felt that I missed his company; however, I, too, am a lot lighter than I was two years ago and I also hope that he, as well as my ancestors, feel light enough to take flight to everlasting bliss.