Ullambana's Origin?

Ullambana lasts from the first to the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar's seventh month. It is also known as the month of the monastics, merits, gratitude, filial piety and blessings. Ullambana's origin dates back to the Buddha's era when Maudgalyayana(目建连) saw his mother suffering in the realm of hungry ghosts with his supernatural power. He tried to provide food to his mother but they were burnt into flames. Maudgalyayana thus sought the Buddha's advice, and was told to make food offerings to the monastics at the end of the rainy retreat and dedicate the merits to his mother. This would relieve not only his mother's suffering, but also the suffering of this parents of seven lifetimes.