When is the birthday of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva? The significance and merits of releasing animals on Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Day

my country has a tradition of worshipping Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva since ancient times, especially on the birthday of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, all major temples will hold ceremonies to worship Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on this day. So when is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s birthday? The significance and merits of releasing animals on Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Day!

When is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's birthday?

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s birthday is on the 30th (or 29th) day of the seventh lunar month every year . This day is also known as the last day of the seventh month and is the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Festival. According to legend, this is the day when Ksitigarbha attained Nirvana. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva rules over the underworld and is the incarnation of King Yama. Holding a jeweled staff in his hand, he appears in the three realms of heaven, earth and hell, saving people from suffering and saving all living beings.

【Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Festival】

The 30th day of the seventh lunar month is a religious festival called "Ksitigarbha Festival". Ksitigarbha is a Bodhisattva who is relied upon to save sentient beings from suffering after the nirvana of Sakyamuni and before the birth of Maitreya Buddha. Ksitigarbha once vowed that he would become a Buddha only after saving all sentient beings. Therefore, he often appears among humans, gods, and hells to save people from suffering. Some Buddhist books say that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is the incarnation of King Yama, the ruler of the underworld who appears with a kind face. In the past, there were temples dedicated to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in various places. Every year on July 30th, devout men and women would go to worship him. In particular, Nanjing's Qingliang Mountain is said to be the place where Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva practiced. From the beginning of the month, there will be an endless stream of people burning incense and worshipping. It is especially busy after the 25th day. There are many tourists on Qingliang Mountain, and tea stalls are set up everywhere. The tea stalls are decorated in various ways, and the incense burning will not stop until the end of the month, which is called "covering the mountain gate."

Who is not suitable to worship Ksitigarbha?

1. People with low fire resistance <br/>Generally speaking, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva can be worshipped in ordinary families, but not everyone is suitable for it. Especially for those who have low fire resistance, it is not best to worship Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, because Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva may sometimes attract ghosts and cause illness.
2. People who make mistakes based on principle <br/>For those who have violated principles, Bodhisattvas usually will not forgive them, nor will they bless you to have a smooth life. So I hope you have some self-knowledge, do some good things in your life to accumulate merits and eliminate your karma.