Segaki: The Japanese Ritual of Feeding Hungry Ghosts
Japan is a land where the boundary between the physical world and the spiritual realm is often blurred by ancient rituals and profound ceremonies. Among the cherry blossoms and neon lights lies a deep undercurrent of Buddhist tradition that governs how the living interact with the dead. One of the most fascinating, yet often misunderstood, rituals is the Segaki (施餓鬼) offering—literally translated as “feeding the hungry ghosts.”
While the famous Obon festival focuses on welcoming back beloved ancestors, Segaki turns its gaze toward the forgotten, the suffering, and the unconnected spirits known as Gaki. For the cultural traveler, understanding this ritual offers a unique window into the Japanese concept of compassion and the afterlife.
The Concept of the Hungry Ghost
To understand Segaki, one must first understand the Gaki (Preta). In Buddhist cosmology, the realm of the Hungry Ghosts is one of the six realms of existence into which beings can be reborn. Beings fall into this realm due to excessive greed, jealousy, or attachment in their previous lives.
Traditionally depicted in Japanese art, such as the famous Gaki-zoshi (Scroll of Hungry Ghosts) from the Heian period, these spirits have bloated stomachs indicating immense hunger, yet needle-thin throats that make eating impossible. Food turns to fire or ash before they can consume it. They are symbols of insatiable desire. The Segaki ritual is an act of supreme charity designed to relieve their suffering.
Origins of the Ritual
The roots of Segaki lie in Chinese Buddhism, which eventually crossed the sea to Japan. While specific dates of its first implementation in Japan vary, it became firmly established within the Zen and Pure Land schools of Buddhism over a millennium ago.
Unlike Obon, which is tied to a specific time of year (usually mid-August), Segaki can technically be performed at any time. However, in modern practice, it is most commonly held in conjunction with Obon services. The logic is inclusive: while families pray for their specific ancestors during Obon, the temple performs Segaki to ensure that no spirit—no matter how disconnected or sinful—is left without comfort.
The Legend of Ananda
The specific origin of the Segaki rite is often traced back to a story involving Ananda, one of the Buddha’s ten principal disciples. This legend is distinct from the story of Moggallana, which is associated with Obon.
According to the scriptures, Ananda was meditating alone one night when a terrifying hungry ghost named “Burning Face” (Kamen) appeared before him. The ghost told Ananda, “In three days, you will die and be reborn in the realm of hungry ghosts.”
Terrified, Ananda asked how he could escape this fate. The ghost replied that Ananda must make an offering of food and drink to the myriads of hungry ghosts and to the hundreds of Brahmans, and then transfer the merit of this act to the ghost. This would relieve the ghost’s suffering and prolong Ananda’s life.
Ananda rushed to the Buddha, who taught him a specific dharani (mystical incantation) called the “Dharani of the Unsatisfied.” This chant allowed a small amount of food to multiply infinitely, satisfying all the spirits. Ananda performed the ritual, saved the ghost, and extended his own life. This narrative forms the liturgical backbone of the modern Segaki service.
Modern Culture and Observance
Today, the Segaki ceremony is a solemn yet colorful affair. If you visit a Japanese temple, particularly a Zen temple, during this service, you will see a special altar called a Sanbo-dana set up, distinct from the main altar.
The Ritual Process
- Offerings: The altar is laden with vegetables, fruits, and rice. Clean water is essential, often poured onto the ground or a special basin to symbolize cooling the burning throats of the ghosts.
- Five-Colored Banners: You will often see banners in five colors (green, yellow, red, white, and black/purple), representing the five Tathagatas (Buddhas) who help liberate the spirits.
- Chanting: Monks chant the Segaki sutras with rhythmic intensity, often accompanied by drums or bells. The atmosphere is one of deep resonance, intended to penetrate the boundaries of the spirit world.
Culturally, this ritual emphasizes the Japanese value of universal compassion. It serves as a reminder to the living to check their own greed and to care for those who have no one else to look after them.
Traveler’s Tips for Viewing Segaki
Witnessing a Segaki service can be a highlight of a cultural trip to Japan, but it requires sensitivity.
- Timing: The best time to witness this is mid-July or mid-August (depending on the region’s Obon schedule). Many major temples in Kyoto (like Kennin-ji) and Kamakura (like Engaku-ji) hold large public services.
- Etiquette: These are religious services, not tourist shows. Wear respectful clothing (covering shoulders and knees). Photography is often prohibited inside the main halls; look for signage or ask permission.
- Participation: In some ceremonies, laypeople are invited to offer incense or pour water. Follow the lead of the locals. If you are offered omamori (amulets) or food after the ceremony, accept it with a bow; this food is considered blessed.
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in the textual and historical foundations of these rituals, the following works provide essential context:
- The Ullambana Sutra: The primary text detailing the origins of offering food to spirits to relieve suffering.
- The Gaki-zoshi (Scroll of Hungry Ghosts): A National Treasure of Japan, this scroll offers a visual history of how the Japanese viewed these spirits in the 12th century.
- Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): While primarily Shinto-focused, early entries help contextualize the arrival of Buddhist metaphysical concepts in the Japanese court.