I'm back in hometown a couple of days for Qing Ming. Qing Ming is essentially a "tomb sweeping" day. Its usually on the April 5th of our calendar. And the period to do this its +/- 10 days of that.
Qing Ming a Chinese festival to honour and pay respect to our ancestors. Burning of incense, joss sticks, paper money ( it looks really real) is a normal sight of this festivies. Richer families will go a more elaborate way by burning paper 'anything' i.e. cars, stereo set, home theater system, servants. Its a belief when these are burn in the vicinity of the tomb, the ancestors will receive it in heaven.
Before the burning starts, everything has to be clean hence the name tomb sweeping. It used to be a family affaird where every takes part and clean it. However, nowadays you can engage cleaner to clean it before you arrive whom are the locals nearby chancing on this opportunity to make a extra buck. Current price is 25 ringgit. We did just that. I'm just not born for manual labour. :)
Well, as a believer in the Christian faith, you are not supposed to hold the joss sticks or burn incense. However I beg to differ, as I think Its ok. I helped to burn some paper money and other gold colored paper. I viewed this as a form of respect and as an honour to do this. I don't believe my faith will be swayed by this, and if this act sways other's faith, well..their faith is just not strong enough. All in all, its a personal stand in this.
What I notice is lesser and lesser young people nowadays does it esspecially those that have to carry out in the 'ulu' (remote) areas where its infested with mosquitoes and scorching sun rays. I wonder when will be the day, when there is a cyber Qing Ming where we remember the dead in cyber space. They already have cyber cemetry for pets.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
i understand wat u mean here.
same here, as a christian at home, we were 'ordered' to do something which i do not 'feel' like doing, as both my parents arent christian.
but bible said : honour your father and mother...
also my very personal stand.
*count down to our lunch meet*
holding incense, burnng papers are customs.
the intention is to ensure the late might not suffer in the netherworld.
On contrary, these practices are regarded as "attachments" in buddist's context....
I seriously think "letting go" is important and wise.
However, "letting go" must not be misunderstood as forgetting about our forefathers ...
I think similar concepts are taught among other religions where the skill of "letting go" and be emotionally "Detached" is viewed to enable our late loved ones leave happy without any regrets and attached.
"Forbids" might be misunderstood or in this context might be overrated.
Might be the fact it is hard to explain to fellow beings the concept of letting go.... so to make things simple.. let's sanction and forbid one to hold incense and burn papers.....
Just like educating people not to throw rubbish... very very tought right? so impose laws and regulations to criminalise litter bugs lor.
Post a Comment