Birthday of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
The 30th day of the 7th lunar month (or the 29th in shorter months) is Ksitigarbha's birthday — also the legendary day when the gates of the underworld close at the end of Ghost Month.
Ksitigarbha (Earth Store Bodhisattva) Birthday — Dates by Year
| Year | Gregorian Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9/2 | Mon |
| 2025 | 9/21 | Sun |
| 2027 | 8/31 | Tue |
| 2028 | 9/18 | Mon |
| 2030 | 8/28 | Wed |
About the Deity
Ksitigarbha (Dìzàng Púsà, "Earth Store Bodhisattva") is the Buddhist bodhisattva who dedicates himself to liberating beings from hell. His Sanskrit name means "womb of the earth." He made the great vow: "I will not become a Buddha until hell is emptied and all beings are saved." He therefore remains in hell, guiding suffering beings toward liberation. In Taiwan, Ksitigarbha temples are commonly found near cemeteries, watching over the departed.
Ghost Month & the Closing of the Gates
The 30th of the 7th lunar month is both Ksitigarbha's birthday and the day when the underworld gates close. Folk belief holds that throughout Ghost Month spirits roam among the living; on this final day, Ksitigarbha escorts wandering souls back to the underworld. Temples hold memorial services throughout the day, with monks chanting sutras to help unsettled souls cross over peacefully.
Offerings & Memorial Ceremonies
Vegetarian offerings are appropriate for Ksitigarbha — fruit, flowers, cakes, and clean water. During Ghost Month, many families commission memorial ceremonies presided over by Ksitigarbha, offering prayers to help the souls of deceased relatives find peace. Devotees with recently departed family members can request sutra chanting at a Ksitigarbha temple. Visiting one during Qingming or Ghost Month to pray for ancestors is a meaningful act of remembrance.