Meditation During the Seventh Lunar Month

As the Seventh Lunar Month begins, Singapore is filled with prayers, and the air is permeated with the scent of incense. Known locally as the Hungry Ghost Festival, it is also referred to as the Ullambana Festival. In the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, this day is marked by ceremonies to honour the Triple Gem and to liberate suffering souls, with an emphasis on reverence for ancestors and repaying the kindness of one’s parents, thus promoting filial piety.
 

The Ullambana Festival carries profound cultural and spiritual significance, imbued with deep emotions. It aligns with the Confucian tradition of valuing filial piety, which is why it has been encouraged and widely observed by Chinese emperors throughout history. The festival began during the Northern and Southern dynasties, and by the Tang dynasty, it had become a prominent celebration, enjoyed by both officials and the public. It is popular in East Asian countries where Buddhism is practised, such as China, Korea, and Japan. The festival transcends time and place, celebrated on a grand scale, intertwining ancient beliefs, unique customs, and family bonds, thus promoting the continuity of culture.
 

The Ullambana Festival, observed on the fifteenth day of the Seventh Lunar Month, is also known as the Buddha’s Joyful Day. Its origins can be traced back to the Buddha’s faithful disciple Mulian (Sanskrit: Maudgalyayana) saving his mother. According to the Ullambana Sutra, Mulian, after attaining enlightenment, could observe the three realms. Through his divine powers, he saw his deceased mother suffering in the realm of hungry ghosts. He quickly offered her food in a bowl, but just as it reached her mouth, it turned into ashes, leaving her still hungry. He recounted this to the Buddha, saying: “Although she was my mother in this life, I wish to save her from suffering as a way of repaying her for raising me.” The Buddha advised that Mulianalone could not save her; he needed to rely on the collective spiritual power of offering to the monks on the fifteenth day of the Seventh Lunar Month. On that day, Mulian’s mother was freed from the torment of the hungry ghost realm. The scripture concludes that everyone can follow this practice.
 

This year is the Year of the Wood Dragon, and since each month is associated with a Chinese zodiac sign, July is also the Month of the Monkey, corresponding to the twelfth Earthly Branch shen, which belongs to the metal element. If your favourable element is metal, then congratulations! The original meaning of shen is lightning, depicted in oracle bone script as a flash of lightning, which gradually evolved into the idea of extending or connecting with a higher spiritual level.
 

A flash of lightning streaks across the sky, and after the thunderstorm, our ancestors discovered that trees caught fire due to lightning. In the ashes, they found food and gradually learnt to preserve fire, fend off wild animals, and grow crops, eventually cooking their food. Human civilisation truly began with the mastery of fire. When our ancestors saw lightning during a storm, they perceived it as unpredictable and powerful, considering it a sign of divine will and inspiration, and they would symbolically accept the mandate of heaven with both hands.
 

This divine mandate marked the beginning of a thriving human lineage, fostering a civilisation that has flourished for thousands of years. Such a mandate represents a sudden enlightenment that drastically changes one's life. For the Chinese, July is a month when the divine lightning brings abundant inspiration. Can you perceive and seize the will of heaven?
 

This July, we too should meditate with open hands. You might focus on Master Yun’s fengshui paintings or calligraphy, holding sandalwood beads in your left hand and grinding a white duan stone with vermilion in your right. With each circle you grind, utter your prayers, and with each bead you push forward in your left hand.
 

You can use sandalwood, which helps inspire creativity and is a must-have during the ninth fortune cycle of twenty years. It complements your Lotus jadeite and agarwood, boosting your indirect wealth.
 

Place the white inkstone in an auspicious position in your home to attract benefactors and aid in meditation.
 

The Lotus jadeite Zhong Kui has been a popular item in Lotus on Water since its inception. Zhong Kui’s righteous and fearless divine power instils confidence in many people. The mysterious power associated with his legend has inspired many clients.
 

Additionally, you can wear agarwood, which has the ability to absorb good energy, and convert bad energy into opportunities
 
Have you meditated this July?
 
-- Mu Lan 
(Translated)
 
到你旺了 Your turn to prosper: http://bit.ly/lotusjadeite
 
+65 8876 3970 (WhatsApp)
+65 8137 8024 (Cola)
 
或，直接PM我们。
Or, PM us directly.
 
富贵华丽，云龙子旺财馆。
Prosperity with Elegance, Lotus on Water.