Merciful Buddha could not bear the plight of the substitutes and directed every temple to release bright lanterns on the waters to greet drowned souls and help relieve their bitterness.
聖佛慈悲，不忍心水牢再添新鬼，所以讓寺廟僧道在普渡前一天「放水燈」，藉由漂流燈火的招引，讓水鬼脫離苦海。