中元節的來歷英語
Just as Halloween is for Americans, the “Hungry Ghost Festival” is for Chinese. Ghost Festival is one of Chinese traditional occasions, which is taken very seriously by the Chinese. This festival usually falls on the15th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar. The Ghost Festival, some places say the Hungry Ghost Festival, is also called Half July (Lunar), Ullambana, which is closely related to Buddhism, and zhongyuan jie which is the Taoism saying and Folk Belief.
就像萬圣節對于美國人一樣，中國也有鬼節。鬼節是中國傳統節日之一，并且被中國人認真看待。這個節日通常是陰歷七月十五。鬼節(有些地方翻譯為餓鬼節)，又叫七月半，佛教稱之為盂蘭盆節，中元節是道教的稱法，同時也是一種民間說法。
It is believed by the Chinese that the dead become ghosts roaming between Heaven and Earth unless they have descendants to care for them during the Ghost Festival. During this month, the gates of hell are opened to free the hungry ghosts who then wander to seek food on Earth. Some even think that the ghosts would seek revenge on those who had wronged them in their lives. However, more people remember their ancestors on this day. The Ghost Festival becomes a time for remembering the importance of filial piety. The reason why the Chinese celebrate this festival is to remember their dead family members and pay tribute to them. They also feel that offering food to the deceased appeases them and wards off bad luck. People now release river lights as an important activity during this time, since it is said that river light can comfort and warm the homeless ghosts. In some areas, visitors may also see small roadside fires, where believes burn paper money and other offerings to appease the restless spirits who have temporarily been released from Hades.
中國人認為除非一個人有子孫后代能夠在他死后在鬼節這天悼念他們，否則人死后會變成鬼魂在天地之間游蕩。在七月，地獄的大門會打開放出餓鬼，這些餓鬼會在凡間尋找食物。一些人更認為他們會向那些害死他們的人復仇。但是，更多的人在這一天祭奠他們的先人。鬼節成為一個子女對先人盡孝的節日。中國人慶祝這個節日的原因是紀念他們家中死去的成員并且悼念死者。他們相信祭品能安撫死者，消除厄運。放河燈是人們紀念鬼節的重要活動，因為據說河燈能給無家可歸的孤魂野鬼以慰藉和溫暖。在一些地區，外來者會看見路邊一小堆一小堆的火，因為人們相信燒紙錢或其它東西能安撫剛從地獄出來的痛苦幽魂。
How we Chinese people celebrate it?中國人怎樣慶祝鬼節呢?
The Ghost Festival is celebrated during the seventh month of the Chinese Lunar calendar. It also falls at the same time as a full moon, the new season, the fall harvest, the peak of Buddhist monastic asceticism, the rebirth of ancestors, and the assembly of the local community.
人們在陰歷七月慶祝鬼節，同時也是月滿之夜，新季節新豐收的日子。這時候正值佛教寺院苦行主義高峰，是先人輪回，家人團聚的日子。
Unlike other celebrations of the dead in Eastern cultures, the Hungry Ghost Festival seeks to pacify the hungry ghosts. These are the ghosts of those who died by their own hands, by accidents, by drowning or hanging who have been denied entry into heaven and they are forced to dwell in hell without food or comfort, when released, they search for souls to take their place in misery. To Taoists and Buddhists, these evil spirits are not to be taken to sun. They are most active at night and can take many forms including: snakes, moths, birds, foxes, wolves, and tigers. They can even appear as beautiful men or women to seduce the living. When they possess an individual by entering the body they cause illness and mental disorders.
與其它東方文化紀念死者方式不同，中國鬼節是為了安撫餓鬼。那些自殺后變成的.鬼、由于意外事故變成的鬼、溺死的或自縊的鬼，他們不允許進入天堂而被迫進入地獄，并且不給他們食物和慰藉。一當他們被釋放，他們就尋找別人的靈魂來代替他們受苦難。對于道教和佛教來說，這些惡鬼不能出現在陽光下。他們多在夜晚活動并且有很多變化形式包括：蛇、蛾、狐貍、狼、老虎等等。他們甚至能變成美男或美女去勾引活人。當他們進入一個人的身體變成獨立的個人，他們給這個人帶來疾病或者神智混亂。
During this month, the gates of hell are opened up and ghosts are free to roam the earth where they seek food and entertainment. These ghosts are believed to be ancestors of those who have forgotten to pay tribute to them after they had died, or those who have suffered deaths and were never given a proper ritual for a send-off. They have long needle-thin necks because they have not been fed by their family, or it is a sign of punishment so they are unable to swallow.
在這個月，地獄之門打開，鬼魂可以在凡間自由游蕩，尋找食物或者尋找娛樂。這些鬼魂被認為是他們的子孫后代在他們死后忘記祭奠他們，或者經歷死亡后沒有得到合適的送別儀式。他們有針尖細的喉嚨的原因是他們的家人沒有給他們食物或者作為一種懲罰從而無法咽食。
Family members offer prayers to their deceased relatives, offer food and drink and burn joss paper. Such paper items are only valid in the underworld, which is why they burn it as an offering to the ghosts that have come from the gates of hell. The afterlife is very similar in some aspects to the material world, and the paper effigies of material goods would provide comfort to in the afterlife. People would also burn other things such as paper houses, cars, servants and televisions to please the ghosts. Families also pay tribute to other unknown wandering ghosts so that these homeless souls do not intrude on their lives and bring misfortune and bad luck. A large feast is held for the ghosts on the fourteenth day of the seventh month, where everyone brings samplings of food and places them on the offering table to please the ghosts and ward off bad luck.
家庭成員為死去的親屬祈禱，用燒紙的方式為他們提供飲食。這種紙只在地下有效，這正是為什么只為從地獄出來的鬼魂燒紙。他們的死后生活與生前的物質生活相似，燒的紙模型在地下會給他們提供舒適的生活。人們也會燒其他的東西，比如紙房子紙汽車假傭人，紙電視等來供他們娛樂。人們也會悼念其他不知名的孤魂野鬼以至于不會侵入他們的家，帶來不幸。在七月十四為鬼魂舉行一頓盛宴，每個人帶來食物放在桌上供給鬼從而避免厄運。
In some East Asian countries today, live performances are held and everyone is invited to attend. The first row of seats are always empty as these are where the ghosts sit. The shows are always put on at night and at high volumes as the sound attract and please the ghosts. Some shows include Chinese opera, dramas, and in some areas, even burlesque shows.
現今在一些東亞地區，人們會舉行現場表演，所有人都會參加。通常第一排的座位是空的，是為鬼準備的。表演通常會搭高臺在晚上舉行。一些表演包括中國戲劇，話劇，在一些地方會有滑稽表演。
For rituals, Buddhist and Taoists hold ceremonies to relieve ghosts from suffering, many of them holding ceremonies in the afternoon or at night as it is believed that the ghosts are released from hell when the sun sets. Altars are built for the deceased and priests and monks alike perform rituals for the benefit of ghosts. Monks and priests often throw rice or other small foods into the air in all directions to distribute them to the ghosts.
在慶祝儀式上，佛教和道教都會舉行一些慶典來減輕苦難。他們大多在下午或者晚上舉行儀式，因為他們認為鬼魂在日落后才會從地獄中被釋放。他們為死者建造祭壇，僧侶和道士舉行宗教儀式為鬼魂祈福。僧侶和道士通常會為鬼魂向各個方向灑米。
During the evening, incense is burnt in front of the doors of each household. Incense stands for prosperity in Chinese culture, so families believe that there is more prosperity in burning more incense. During the festival, some shops are closed as they wanted to leave the streets open for the ghosts. In the middle of each street stood an altar of incense with fresh fruit and sacrifices displayed on it.
在夜間，人們在各家門后燒香。在中國文化中，香代表繁榮興旺，所以人們認為燒的香越多，就會越興旺。在節日中，一些商店會關門從而讓鬼魂經過街道。在每條街道的中間會建有祭壇，上面燒著香放著新鮮水果和祭品。
14 days after the festival, to make sure all the hungry ghosts find their way back to hell, people flow water lanterns and set them outside their houses. These lanterns are made by setting a lotus flower-shaped lantern on a paper boat. The lanterns are used to direct the ghosts back to the underworld, and when they go out, it symbolizes that they found their way back.
在節日的14天，確保所有的鬼魂都找到了回地獄的道路后，人們在房前屋后的河里放河燈。這些蓮花狀的河燈是放在紙做的小船上的。它們為鬼魂會地獄照明道路，當河燈飄遠，象征著鬼魂找到了回去的路。
Nowadays, the Ghost Festival is not only celebrated by Chinese people, but also some other Eastern countries, such as Malaysia, Singapore, North Korea and Japan.
現今，不僅中國人慶祝鬼節，很多東方國家也慶祝鬼節。比如馬來西亞、新加坡、朝鮮和日本。
The Ghost Festival in Malaysia is modernized by the 'concert-like' live performances. It has its own characteristics and is not similar to other Ghost Festivals in other countries. The live show is popularly known as 'Koh-tai' by the Hokkien-speaking people, performed by a group of singers, dancers and entertainers on a temporary stage that setup within the residential district. The festival is funded by the residents of each individual residential district.
馬來西亞以一種“音樂會形式”的現場表演慶祝鬼節。它有自己的特點，和其他國家的過鬼節的方式不同�，F場表演稱為有名的“七月歌臺”。各地區組織一群歌手，舞者在一個臨時搭建的舞臺上表演。
Ullambana was introduced to Japan in the time of tang and sui dynasty, called O-bon, or simply bon. It has existed in Japan for more than 500 years. It is held from of July 13, to welcome O-bon, to July 16 for farewell. O-bon is the Japanese version of the Ghost Festival, which has since been transformed over time into a family reunion holiday during which people from the big cities return to their home towns and visits and cleans their ancestors' graves. Chugen is an annual event when people give gifts to their superiors and acquaintances. Traditionally it includes a dance, too.
盂蘭盆節在隋唐時期被引進日本，叫做O-bon,或者簡單地稱為bon。這個節日在日本存在500年了。盂蘭盆節在日本被看做一種家庭團聚的節日。人們在節日期間從城市回到鄉村祭祖和掃墓。人們在中元節這天給自己的上級和熟人送禮物。傳統地，還有舞蹈。
Some superstitions have been presenting until now. One of the superstitions that the Chinese have about the festival is that it is bad to go swimming during the 7th month. They think that an evil spirit might cause you to drown in the water. In addition to this, children are also advised to return home early and not to wander around alone at night. This belief is due to the reason that the wandering ghosts might possess children. Usually in the hungry ghost month, no one will get married.
一些迷信直到現在還存在。其中一個中國人關于節日的迷信就是不能在七月游泳。他們認為惡鬼會使人溺死水中。除此之外，孩子們必須早回家，晚上不能再外面玩很久。有這種觀點的原因就是在外游蕩的鬼魂可能回吃小孩。通常來說，沒有人會在七月結婚。
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