Ghost Month Taboos. 鬼月禁忌又來啦，諸惡莫做，眾善奉行。鬼月十件不可以做的事情，寧可信其有。

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篤信佛教的我，堅信鬼神。這輩子也有過幾次與靈界接觸的體驗。農曆的七月半鬼門開，有些事情還事寧可信其有比較好。其實中元節不只是拜拜吃零食(供品)的節日，很多禁忌不曉得大家知不知道？

觀世音菩薩普門品裡面有一段經文是這樣寫的：「......種種諸惡趣，地獄鬼畜牲，生老病死苦，以漸悉令滅。」這裡所說到的地獄鬼畜牲，就是指佛教中所說的「三惡道」。這三個惡道就是地獄、餓鬼與畜牲三道。想知道地獄的種種，地藏王菩薩本願經裡面有很清楚的記載。每年的鬼月，就是餓鬼出籠討食的時候。

教練以前跟一般人一樣很怕鬼，這種根深蒂固的恐懼，跟看到蟑螂的驚慌失措是一樣的。我曾經因為怕住在外面的旅館，而放棄年薪很高的工作，只因為這份工作需要經常出國開會。

但是信佛之後，慢慢了解餓鬼也是有情眾生Sentient beings，所以不再懼怕(看到蟑螂還是會驚呆)。教練皈依後有發願，承諾若日後看見鬼魂，一定不要逃跑躲避，要勇敢面對並試圖溝通，因為鬼來找我或許是有托於我，我應該幫忙解決問題而非逃跑。教練覺得佛教了不起的地方在於眾生平等的態度，就連餓鬼，我們也要施予愛心，這是很棒的情操。正統大乘佛教的慈悲，改變了我對生命與眾生的看法。

下面是鬼月的禁忌，大家抱著學英文的心情閱讀就不會害怕了。

The top 10 'taboos' to avoid during Ghost Month in Taiwan

From the China Post

The Chinese Ghost Month (鬼月), observed奉行 in the seventh month of the lunar calendar, is once again upon us, this year running from Aug. 14 to Sept. 12. During the festival the gates of hell are opened鬼門開 and all of the hungry ghosts 餓鬼are released to the world in search of 尋找food, money, entertainment, and what not.等等(意指同類的事物)

A "hungry ghost" is a being that has been sent to the underworld to suffer an eternal state of hunger 餓鬼道(無時間覺，也就是永恆的) for their misdeeds壞事 or for not having a proper burial沒有被好好埋葬. Once a year, they are set free from hell and are given the opportunity to satiate some of their cravings滿足一些渴望 and perhaps gain some good karma 累積福報for a reincarnation投胎轉世 into a better life with the help of their family members.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the following are some handy tips to avoid any phantom faux pas 失禮處(不該做的禁忌)during Ghost Month:

1.  Don't go swimming:

不要去河邊與海邊游泳

This restriction seems to have the widest consensus 最多人同意among those who observe Ghost Month. It is considered highly dangerous to go swimming because it is believed that evil spirits that had drowned may try to drown the swimmer to gain a chance at rebirth.之前溺死的鬼魂會找替身好投胎 The upside 好處 for non-believers is that the beaches are pretty much empty for the whole month.

1.  Don't go out alone at night:

夜晚不獨行

Young children and young adults in particular should avoid going out alone after dark as it is believed that wandering ghosts 遊魂can more easily possess the young.

3. Don't whistle, especially after dark:天黑後不吹口哨

Whistling吹口哨 is thought to attract evil spirits引來惡鬼 and once they've been lured in一旦他們(惡鬼)被吸引來, they may follow the person around for long periods of time, bringing ill fortune.招來厄運

4. Don't sit in the front row of Gezaixi shows:

歌仔戲的前排座位不要坐

This is probably one of the biggest pitfalls陷阱/危險 for newbie 初來乍到的新手foreigners 外國人 during month. Beware that the front row前排 of Gezaixi (Taiwanese opera) shows performed on the streets should be avoided at all costs because it is strictly reserved for spectral spectators only給鬼魂預留的席次.

5. Don't pick up money on the street:

路上的錢不要撿

People are admonished 警告/告誡not to pick up real money or take it home because it will bring them bad luck. Picking up a hell bank note (joss paper) 紙錢 is considered an insult to the spirits and a bad omen 兇兆as well.

6. Don't turn your head around if someone pats you on the shoulder:

有人拍你的肩膀不要回頭

It is believed that the living have two protective flames, one on each shoulder.

活人的肩膀上有兩把保護火If a ghost pats you on the back and you only turn your head, you'll snuff out 熄滅that protective flame, thus making you vulnerable. 容易受傷To avoid this, turn the whole body 轉身at once instead of just the head不要轉頭.

7. Do not kill rare insects in your house:

家中見到罕見的昆蟲不要殺

Some believe that their ancestors come to visit their relatives in the reincarnated form of a rare insect. 因為這些蟲可能是祖先投胎來看我們的The definition of "rare" is debatable, but basically a type of insect that has rarely if ever been spotted in your house before such as butterflies蝴蝶, grasshoppers蚱蜢 or moths蛾, and for their part, roaches are probably not considered "rare."

8. Don't hang clothes outside to dry:

衣服不要晾在外面

The thinking with this is that devious spirits 惡靈will wear your clothes as a way to sneak into your house. 會透過附身在衣服上進到你家

9. Don't lean against the wall:

不要將身體靠在牆上

Ghosts apparently like to stick on walls because they're cooler, so don't push your luck and lean against them during the month.

10. Don't pee on a tree:

不要在樹邊尿尿，以免冒犯樹神

Apparently, soldiers in the field know well that urinating 尿尿on a tree could anger tree spirits which will seek vengeance upon you.找你報仇