Festivals for the Dead

In China and Laos there are Buddhist festivals that focus on ancestors, ghosts and the dead. The following documentaries provide an in depth analysis of the practices and rituals involved. The documentaries were originally produced for Bristol Buddhist Death Project.

Caring for the Beyond

Ancestors and deceased relatives form an important part of religious life for Buddhists in Laos. The film focuses on two festivals Boun Khau Padap Din and Boun Khau Salak. During Boun Khau Padap Din food and offerings are provided by members of the lay community in order to feed spirits, ancestors and ghosts. During Boun Khau Salak food and offerings are placed into a basket. Lots are then drawn to see which monk will receive the food and transfer the merit to the deceased.

'Caring for the Beyond' is a documentary created by the University of Bristol Buddhist Death Rituals Project and funded by the AHRC.

Caring for the Beyond from Buddhist Death Project at UoB on Vimeo.

The Spirits' Happy Days

In the Fujian region of China there is a month dedicated to the deceased. During this ghost month Buddhist monasteries hold public recitation meetings in which the resulting merit is transferred to deceased relatives. The film provides an in depth analysis of the rituals involved.

A poignant, revealing documentary on one of the most important Chinese religious festivals as practiced in Buddhist monasteries in China today (Chun-fang Yu, Sheng Yen Professor in Chinese Buddhist Studies, Columbia University).

'The Spirits' Happy Days' is a documentary created by the University of Bristol Buddhist Death Rituals Project and funded by the AHRC.

The Spirits' Happy Days from Buddhist Death Project at UoB on Vimeo.