The Ullambana festival, in which offerings are made to relieve the suffering of departed ancestors, is primarily celebrated by:

Ullambana is a Buddhist festival celebrated mainly by Mahayana Buddhists in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other countries of East Asia. It is held on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, which usually falls in August, and is often called the "Ghost Festival" or the "Hungry Ghost Festival".

The word Ullambana is a Sanskrit term that is often explained as "hanging upside down", referring to the extreme suffering of beings in the realm of hungry ghosts. The festival is based on the Ullambana Sutra, which tells the story of Maudgalyayana (Moggallana), one of the two chief disciples of the Buddha, who was famous for his supernatural powers. Using these powers, he saw that his deceased mother had been reborn as a hungry ghost and was suffering because of her greed in her past life. He tried to feed her, but the food turned into burning coals before she could eat it. In despair, he asked the Buddha for help. The Buddha told him to make offerings of food, clothes and other necessities to the community of monks on the 15th day of the seventh month, at the end of their rainy season retreat. The merit of these offerings would free his mother and seven generations of ancestors from suffering. Maudgalyayana followed this advice, and his mother was released.

Inspired by this story, Buddhists make offerings to monks and temples, and offer food, incense, paper money and prayers for the souls of their ancestors and for wandering spirits. In Japan, the festival is known as Obon (Bon), when people believe the spirits of their ancestors return home, and lanterns are lit and floated on rivers to guide them. The festival promotes the virtue of filial piety, respect for parents and ancestors.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Jains celebrate festivals such as Paryushana and Mahavir Jayanti.
• ✗Parsis celebrate Navroz and Khordad Sal.
• ✗Sikhs celebrate Gurpurab and Baisakhi.