A Dedication to Those Who Have Passed Away
回向往生亲友
Many of us approach the Lunar Seventh Month with fear and apprehension, because of its association with roaming spirits and spirit disturbances. Actually, there is nothing to fear if we only know how to apply methods and knowledge to keep ourselves blessed and protected.
华人一般相信，农历七月是阴间鬼魂重返阳间的日子。由于人们普遍担心会在这个月份“撞鬼”，所以每年一到这时候，民间都会举办盛大的“施孤”或“普渡”活动，以祭祀那些四处游荡的鬼魂。尽管如此，种种与“鬼月”相关的传说和故事，还是让人闻之色变，也因此衍生了不少相关的禁忌和迷信。事实上，如果我们真的了解盂兰节的由来及其背后的故事，我们非但不会害怕，反而会生起慈悲之心，当然也更懂得如何去保护自己。
Kechara House Buddhist Association shows you how to bring strong protection to yourselves and your loved ones, and also dedicate your good merits to those deceased.
克切拉佛教团体想趁“鬼月”来临之际，与大家分享盂兰节背后的故事，同时也让大家知道如何才能在这个特殊的月份里为自己和心爱的人提供最佳的保护，并将功德回向给已逝的亲友及无主孤魂。
Participate in a series of pujas to the Dharma Protector Setrap. Conducted in English and Chinese, these pujas bring numerous blessings, protection and merit, and are a highly beneficial way for honouring the deceased and repaying the kindness of all our loved ones. This is a very powerful way for helping to relieve their sufferings and expedite a swift and positive rebirth.
请参与克切拉佛教中心所举办的一连四天的法会，因为透过法会，我们不只能为自己和心爱的人消灾除障，还能获得证悟者的加持和庇佑，同时也能将法会功德回向给亡魂。法会的效果十分迅速显著，绝对是追悼逝者，以及回报亲恩的最佳方法。
The Origins of this Tradition
鬼节的缘起
Although it appears to be a traditional, cultural celebration, the Chinese ghost festival has its roots in Buddhism. Most Chinese elders would often refer to a special story from the Ullambana Sutra that is popular for its filial message.
在许多人的印象中，俗称“鬼节”或“中元节”的盂兰节是华人传统的文化节日。事实上，这个节日最初源自佛教《盂兰盆经》中“目犍连救母”这个故事。相信许多年长人士对此都略有所闻。
The Ullambana Sutra tells the story of Maudgalyayana, a chief disciple of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. With his clairvoyant powers, Maudgalyayana was able to perceive his mother had taken rebirth as a hungry ghost. He tried to feed her but was unable to, by the force of her own karma that kept her “hungry”.
目犍连是释迦牟尼佛的主要弟子，尤以神通称著。凭借着这种特殊的能力，他终于找到了已逝父母的投生地。然而，这时他的母亲已投生为饿鬼，显得又瘦又憔悴。看到这幅情景，目犍连心里很难过，就立刻尝试施食给她；但是，由于其母的业力导致她必须长期处于“饥饿”状态，所以无论他怎么努力，她根本就无法享用他所施予的食物。
Maudgalyayana sought advice from the Buddha, who responded by advising him of what he could do to assist her to take a better rebirth. The Buddha established a day after the traditional summer retreat on which Maudgalyayana was to make offerings to the Three Jewels via the Sangha. Through the merits created, Maudgalyayana made dedications for his mother and she finally gained a human rebirth.
在无计可施之下，目犍连只好向佛陀请教。佛陀向他解释了其母亲的因果业力，并指示他如何协助母亲获得较好的投生的方法。接着，佛陀建议目犍连在僧众们结束了结夏安居（夏日闭关）之后的一天（农历七月十五，通常是阳历八月中旬），透过僧伽众向三宝献供养，并将所累积的功德，回向给其母亲。目犍连按照佛陀的指示去做了，终于成功协助其母再度投生为人。
This day was 14th day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, usually mid to late August. Due to Confucian and Taoist influence, the festivities later became infused with ancestor worship and making offerings to wandering spirits of the netherworld. However, in Buddhist belief, the hungry ghost realm is actually a separate world and by making offerings to them, we open a portal to their world resulting in increased spirit activity.
在儒道两家思想的影响之下，华人通常会在农历七月期间祭祀祖先和阴间的孤魂野鬼。然而，根据佛教的说法，饿鬼道其实是一个完全不同于我们的世界；如果我们向他们献供，其实就等于是打开了一道通往阴界的大门，吸引他们蜂拥而至。
Create a huge wave of blessings and merit!
累计无量功德与加持！
English puja: Sat 21st & Mon 23rd August
英文金甲衣法会：2010年8月21日（六）及23日（一）
Chinese puja: Sun 22nd & Tues 24th August
中文金甲衣法会：2010年8月22日（日）及24日（二）
Time: 8 – 10 pm each session
晚上8时至10时
Win exciting prizes!
赢取丰富奖品！
Mon 23 Aug (English session)
英文法会：2010年8月23日（一）
Tues 24 Aug (Chinese session)
中文法会：2010年8月24日（二）
Kechara House 2
Lot 21-1, 23-1, Jalan PJU 1/3G,
Sunwaymas Commercial Centre,
47301 Petaling Jaya
To make your dedications and offerings towards this puja, kindly contact the KH Administrator at +603 7803 3908.
有意供养三宝及回向往生亲友的朋友，请联络克切拉行政处：+603 7803 3908。
Making Offerings
This Year
供养三宝
As taught by Lord Buddha, the best way to benefit our ancestors, the dearly departed and wandering spirits is to make numerous offerings to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) on their behalf. The merits we create can then be dedicated to them to relieve some of their suffering and hasten a better rebirth.
根据释迦牟尼佛的教诲，最能利惠我们的祖先和其他亡魂的做法，是代替他们向三宝（佛法僧）献上大量的供养，然后再将所累积的功德回向给他们。这个做法不但能减少他们的痛苦，还有助于让他们有一个更好的投生。
This year, Kechara House also offers you the chance to make blessed offerings in dedication to your loved ones. Visit us throughout the four-day event or make offerings of lotus candles, flowers or pearls with our online partner, VajraSecrets.com.
今年，你可透过克切拉佛教中心供养许多加持供品给心爱的人。除了亲自参与这四天的法会外，你也可透过VajraSecrets.com购物网供养莲花蜡烛、鲜花、香及珍珠。
Pearl Offerings - US$ 10
(Small Bag)
珍珠供养 - US$ 10
(小包)
Lotus Candle - US$ 3
(1 Small Candle)
莲花烛 - US$ 3
(1小莲花烛)
Lotus Candle - US$ 10
(4 Small Candle)
莲花烛 - US$ 10
(4小莲花烛)
Flowers - US$5
(Small Bundle)
鲜花 - US$5
(小束)
Pearl Offerings - US$ 35
(Large Bag)
珍珠供养 - US$ 35
(大包)
Lotus Candle - US$ 5
(1 Big Candle)
莲花烛 - US$ 5
(1大莲花烛)
Lotus Candle - US$ 20
(4 Big Candle)
莲花烛 - US$ 20
(4 大莲花烛)
Flowers - US$15
(Large Bundle)
鲜花 - US$15
(大束)
With every large pack of pearls you offer, you’ll also be in the running to win with our special lucky draw. Exciting prizes include Setrap pendants, Setrap pewter tsatsas, tiger-eye malas, Tsongkhapa box sets and Setrap box sets.
凡购买珍珠配套者都有资格参与幸运抽奖；主办当局提供的奖品包括金甲衣佛坠、金甲衣擦擦、虎眼念珠、《宗喀巴大师套装书》及《金甲衣护法套装书》。
Join Kechara in a four-day commemoration of those who have passed away. Invite strong protection for yourself and your loved ones, generate great blessings for the spirits and experience a powerful, safe and protected seventh month.
请参加这为期四天的法会，跟我一起纪念往生的亲人。透过祈求证悟者的广大加持，并累积无量的功德，受惠的将不只是亡魂，还包括我们自己及心爱的家人朋友。为自己祈求庇护，为亡魂累积功德，体验一个安全踏实的农历七月。