My Diary

The Lunar 7th Month Festival used to be an annual event for ancestor worship among Chinese descendants. However, my new neighbor, who recently moved in last month from mainland China, seems busier than usual. They were told by acquaintances that they should offer joss papers every day for wandering spirits during that month.   It's good to follow the tradition of 7th month prayers. However, it is also important for people to understand the meaning and purpose rather than blindly following. In Chinese tradition, the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar is called Zhong Yuan Festival (中元節), and the entire seventh month is commonly known as the Ghost Month. During this time, ghosts and wandering spirits, including those of deceased ancestors, revisit the mortal world from the lower realm.   Intrinsic to the Ghost Month is ancestor worship, where traditionally, the filial piety of descendants extends to their ancestors even after their deaths. Activities du...

Ancestor worship is based on the belief that the bereaved family members of the deceased have a continued existence and possess the ability to influence the fortunes of the living. Early forms of ancestor worship were deeply rooted and extensively developed by the Late Neolithic Period in China. With the teachings of Confucianism and Taoism, religious traditions such as ancestor worship have become an integral part of the daily activities of Chinese descendants.   The goal of ancestor worship is to ensure the well-being of ancestors in the netherworld and sometimes to request special favors or assistance. The social function of ancestor worship is to cultivate kinship values such as filial piety, family loyalty, and the continuity of the family lineage.   The rituals of ancestor worship commonly involve making offerings to deceased ancestors to ensure their welfare in the afterlife, which is often imagined resembling earthly life. Ancestor worship typically begins with the...

The event was held at Dewan Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang in Penang, organized by Lean Wah Thong Chinese Temple as part of the 115th anniversary celebration of the temple, coinciding with the feast festival of Tai Shang Lao Jun, the founder of Taoism. Taoist priests and residents from Penang, along with representatives from six countries, attended the forum. The forum's theme was ' Harmonious Society, Dao in the Heart‘ 和諧社會，道在人心. According to Malaysian speaker Professor Yan, every human being has an ego. If we can balance our ego with the Great Dao, people can maintain peace and harmony without being bound by worldly knowledge and desires. Master Cheng from Malaysia asked the audience to shake hands with each other. He observed that many people smiled and showed friendliness during the handshake. This positive gesture aligns with the Taoist belief “萬物負陰而抱陽” (All things carry yin yet embrace yang). During the handshake, our inner palms, which represent 'yang' or pos...