ALL SOULS' DAY (QING MING)
The traditional Qing Ming festival is observed by many Malaysian Buddhists of Chinese descent mainly because it has its roots in the Confucian cult of filial piety. Of all virtues taught in Confucianism, which has profoundly influenced Chinese culture, filial piety ranks among the foremost. Respect for parents and elders taught in Confucianism is not foreign to Buddhism, which also teaches that it is a great blessing to support one's parents (Mangala Sutta). Confucius taught that even after the death of our ancestors, we should continue to maintain our links with them by paying homage to them and worship them. To him, the rite performed in ancestor worship should be in the form of an expression of gratitude, devotion, remembrance and love. However, in the common people's practice of ancestor worship, superstitious elements are introduced. To them, their ancestors are present as spirits or souls during their sacrificial offerings at the grave-yard when they perform the Qing Ming ceremony. Thus the ceremony is not only an occasion for showing filial piety and remembering their ancestors, but also for the purpose of asking for favours and giving thanks for blessings bestowed. The ancestral tablets in the family altar are believed to be the place where the ancestors' spirits or souls reside. It has been the customary practice to offer meat of slaughtered animals and wine at the tombstones and before the ancestral tablets at home, which is a violation of Buddhist religious principles. This is partly due to the tolerant attitude of Buddhist monks towards the laity in order not to interfere with the traditional practice so dear to their hearts. I lowever, of late, with gentle persuasion and dedicated efforts to propagate the true Buddha-dhamma, many Chinese Buddhists are gradually abandoning this unBuddhistic practice. Today, it is not uncommon to see them visiting their ancestors' graves and offering only fruits and flowers while bowing their heads low and observing a few minutes' silence in paying homage to their ancestors.
Cremation of the dead is the current practice in view of the scarcity of suitable land for burial and also for the convenience of the surviving descendants whose modern lifestyle has undergone a tremendous change. On Qing Ming day, many families make offerings and pay homage to their departed ancestors at home. In some Theravada temples, a mass ceremony for this purpose is held annually by the devotees at which resident monks chant suttas, and offerings of vegetarian food are made to the ancestors. Alms in the form of vegetarian food are also offered to the monks on this occasion and on other special occasions of religious significance such as Wesak Day. This is obviously an example of increasing influence on each other's practices among the Mahayana and Theravada Buddhists in this country, owing to increasing intermingling among the followers of both traditions on important Buddhist events, and the flow of translations of Mahayana and Theravada publications. Adoption of certain Theravada Buddhist practices in Mahayana temples is a further contribution towards the promotion of unity and solidarity among the various Buddhist sects in this country.
