風俗民情 Customs 

7/15日本盆節Japanese Pot Festival

日本自古就重視源於佛教的中元祭儀〈御歲暮〉，這兩個節日在過去不但是公定假日，慶祝活動熱烈。民眾並且相互饋贈禮品，以聯絡對情。而送禮的習慣可能是將普度施食的善心轉化為對人世親朋的關懷。七月十五在日本本土也懸掛燈籠引靈魂回陽世享人間盛宴，及類似放水燈、燃燒燈籠的習俗。此外，還舉行「盆」，念佛歌舞，迎死靈送孤魂，稱「盆踊」。如今，日本全國各地七月十五都有大小的「盆祭」就是歌舞大會。但現在的中元節，雖保留了供養死靈、慎終追遠的原意，但形式上已幾乎卻盡陰森的氣息，而全然是喜悅的歌舞情調了。

Ｊapanese has been looking upon Ghost Day Ceremony originating in Buddhist Ullambana. These two festivals were not only public holidays with enthusiastic festivities but also times when people giving presents to each other and enhance amity between them. The custom of giving presents might root in the transfer from the kind-heartedness of giving alms to the concern for the living families and friends. The Japanese also hang lanterns on July l5 to lead the spirits back to the earthly world and have them enjoy grand banquet. lt is like our custom of releasing water lanterns and firing lanterns.Besides,they hold a "pot" ceremony,called"potreciting",which praises Buddhist sutras , singing and dancing , receiving the departed spirits and sendingaway the solitary ghosts. Today , there are various scales of"pot ceremony" all over Japan, which is kind of an amusement gathering. However, current Ghost Day Ceremony is not full of gloomy atmosphere in its form, remaining only enjoyable sentiment in spite of the existing original meaning.Home

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