Honolulu Star Bulletin. Thurssday, February 7, 1957 - Tales about Hawaii, Clarice B. Taylor
It is impossible today to say "this" is correct or "that" is correct in speaking Chinese customs.
The origins of many of these customs are lost in antiquity and there are many explanations given of them.
For instance, the worship of the moon goddess on the first and the
15th of the month.
Scholars have several explanations which derive from old Chinese literature.
DECREED BY EMPEROR
One literary source says the Moon Festival was decreed by the Emperor Ming of the East Han dynasty in 58 A.D. Another source says the festival is much older and tells of the origin of the Moon Festival on the 15th of the eighth month as proof.
During the turbulent years of the Ching dynasty, an Emperor escaped from his enemies and fled to the hills where he was starving.
On the night of the full moon of the eighth month, a great moon shone over the fields like daylight. The Emperor sent his people into the fields to look for food.
They found snails, peanuts, taro, and many kinds of fruits.
ESTABLISHES FESTIVAL
When the Emperor was restored to his throne, he set up the Moon Festival and told his people to make round, white cakes like the moon for the occasion.
Buddhists say the Moon Festival was inaugurated during the Tun dynasty (618 to 907 A.D.) to celebrate the victory of the Buddhist monks over the T'aoists in a great debate.
The Buddhists were then at the height of the influence at court and T'aoists with the people.
In the course of the debate the monks told how the disciples has asked Lord Buddha, "What is to become of our ancestors? They are not here to hear your message."
Buddha replied,
"Before I was born, there were many other Buddhas from who your ancestors may have received the message.
"You can offer sacrifices to the Buddhas on the 15th of the first month and ask them to intervene for your ancestors."
BUDDHIST VICTORY
Because of the Buddhist victory, the Emperor decreed the first moon festival to be held on the two days of the first full moon of the year (the 15th and 16th of the First Moon).
That is the festival celebrated today as the Lantern Festival.
NEXT: The Lantern Festival.
It is impossible today to say "this" is correct or "that" is correct in speaking Chinese customs.
The origins of many of these customs are lost in antiquity and there are many explanations given of them.
For instance, the worship of the moon goddess on the first and the
15th of the month.
Scholars have several explanations which derive from old Chinese literature.
DECREED BY EMPEROR
One literary source says the Moon Festival was decreed by the Emperor Ming of the East Han dynasty in 58 A.D. Another source says the festival is much older and tells of the origin of the Moon Festival on the 15th of the eighth month as proof.
During the turbulent years of the Ching dynasty, an Emperor escaped from his enemies and fled to the hills where he was starving.
On the night of the full moon of the eighth month, a great moon shone over the fields like daylight. The Emperor sent his people into the fields to look for food.
They found snails, peanuts, taro, and many kinds of fruits.
ESTABLISHES FESTIVAL
When the Emperor was restored to his throne, he set up the Moon Festival and told his people to make round, white cakes like the moon for the occasion.
Buddhists say the Moon Festival was inaugurated during the Tun dynasty (618 to 907 A.D.) to celebrate the victory of the Buddhist monks over the T'aoists in a great debate.
The Buddhists were then at the height of the influence at court and T'aoists with the people.
In the course of the debate the monks told how the disciples has asked Lord Buddha, "What is to become of our ancestors? They are not here to hear your message."
Buddha replied,
"Before I was born, there were many other Buddhas from who your ancestors may have received the message.
"You can offer sacrifices to the Buddhas on the 15th of the first month and ask them to intervene for your ancestors."
BUDDHIST VICTORY
Because of the Buddhist victory, the Emperor decreed the first moon festival to be held on the two days of the first full moon of the year (the 15th and 16th of the First Moon).
That is the festival celebrated today as the Lantern Festival.
NEXT: The Lantern Festival.
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