During the “Da Zhai” ritual for a departed loved one, the Pǔshī Gūyōu (Shàng Lián Tái) prayer is performed to recite sutras for “wandering souls,” offer them food, and burn joss paper. This is similar to the Ghost Festival in the seventh lunar month, where rituals are held to help “unclaimed spirits” (commonly referred to as good brothers).
There are several reasons why the Pǔshī Gūyōu (Shàng Lián Tái) prayer is included in the “Da Zhai” ritual:
- While chanting sutras and making offerings for the deceased, we also remember those wandering souls who have no family to conduct such rituals for them. Without anyone to pray for them or offer food and joss paper, the Pǔshī Gūyōu (Shàng Lián Tái) prayer gives these unclaimed souls the opportunity for rebirth.
- By performing the Pǔshī Gūyōu (Shàng Lián Tái) prayer during the ritual, the wandering spirits are also appeased, preventing them from gathering to “take” the offerings and merits intended for the deceased.
- Once this ritual is completed, the family does not need to burn joss paper or make offerings to the good brothers during the upcoming seventh lunar month.
In summary, this is regarded as a virtuous and meritorious act for both the deceased and their family.
打斋法事之《普施孤幽》（上莲台）— 超度 “无主孤魂”
在为亲人举办打斋超度仪式的过程中，普施孤幽(上蓮台)法事也就是为那些“無主孤魂”念诵超度经咒、供奉食物和烧纸钱。这与农历七月的盂兰节相似，都是为那些“无主孤魂”（俗称“好兄弟”）超度的仪式。
在“打斋”法会中加入普施孤幽（上莲台）法事有以下几个原因：
- 在为逝者念诵超度经咒和供奉的同时，我们也不能忘记那些四处游荡的無主孤魂。由于他们没有家人为他们举办打斋超度念经和供奉食物和烧纸钱，普施孤幽(上蓮台)法事将能帮助这些无主孤魂有机会重生投胎。
- 在打斋期间，因为逝者家人也有为孤魂进行这项普施孤幽(上蓮台)法事, 这些孤魂便会得到安抚，不会聚集来“夺取”原本属于亡者的供品和功德。
- 完成此打斋仪式后，家属在接下来的农历七月便无需再为“好兄弟”烧纸钱或供奉祭拜。
总而言之，这也算是为逝者和家人完成一件功德好事.
