Ullambana-Sutra

The Ullambana Sutra (Chinese盂兰盆 经, Pinyin Yúlánpénjīng, W.-G. Yu -lan - p'en ching (NJ 303; Taishō XVI, No. 685 );. . Hgl 우란분 경, Uranbun gyeong; japanese kyō Urabon; vietnameisisch Vu lan Bon kinh, " All Souls Sutra " ) is an apocryphal Mahayana Sutra, dating from the 4th or 5th century, whose alleged translation Dharmaraksa the Elder. (Chinese竺 法 护, Pinyin Zhu Fǎhù ) is attributed to 300. The Sanskrit word Ullambana and avalambana means " to be hung upside down " and to the sufferings of the lower realms symbolize.

Today's research assumes that the Sutra is not based on a Sanskrit text and was thus not well translated by Dharmaraksa, but is likely originated in the 6th century in China.

Ullambana as hard

Through the sutra is the versatile Buddhist ceremonial of Allerseelenfestes (15th of the 7th month, and later 13 to 16 ) with All Souls victims urabon - Kuyo, especially for father and mother of the current and previous generations 7 ) as of Shakyamuni originating shown. Copy japanischerseits obtained from 15 year Tempyo ( 743 ) 1 Fasz. ( On the nature and content of the feast had Taoist and Tantric scriptures big impact. It is traditionally celebrated on the full moon day of the seventh month ( August 24, 2010 ), in Japan by the July 15 as Obon.

The origins date back to the Hindu Divali festival ( = Deepavali, Festival of Lights), merged with Avalambana, held the Preta - feeding and the same day, Taoist Chung- yuen rites back. The introduction of " light component " of the O -Bon ( by Basil Hall Chamberlain as the " Lantern Festival ") is held only in 1230 ( arrangement Go- Horikawa Tenno ) in Japan; the burning pyre (often in the form of the character Dai, therefore Daimoji no hi ), the evening of the 16th, is to go back to Kobo Daishi, at least it has its origin in Shingon or Tendai rites. The Japanese tantric school has also created a variety of Pretaspeisungs - sacrificial rites (including Segaki -ho, Ikitama -e).

Furthermore, a connection to the Parsi Fravardigan hard it is assumed, in which the worship of the souls of the dead ( iran. Uravan ) is of central importance.

Given the tendency for this festival as ' Ghost Festival ' - similar to the British Halloween - increasingly the amusement serves Buddhist circles in China have sought to preserve the religious content of the feast.