In 2020, prayers were held internally among Kwong Tong Cemetery management committee members in Kuala Lumpur.
KWONG Tong Cemetery (KTC) in Kuala Lumpur is adopting a greener approach for its grand prayer ceremony during the Hungry Ghost Festival this year.
Visitors taking part in the ceremony from July 31 to Aug 6 are urged to bring flowers instead of joss sticks to reduce pollution.
KTC annual praying ceremony chairman Lim Soo Lek said they were resuming the event after a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“During Por Thor or Hungry Ghost Festival, the Chinese community will conduct prayers to pay respects to their ancestors, ward off evil spirits and for longevity,” he said at a press conference at KTC management building.
To reduce wastage, only dried food can be given as offerings to ancestors.
“The offerings will be returned to them after the ceremony.
“‘Visitors can also buy food packages from us which will go to welfare homes after the prayers,” added Lim.
Lee (right) and Lim giving details on plans for the festival.
KTC management chairman Lee Chun Kong said such green approaches were still new in Malaysia and acknowledged that some visitors might continue burning joss sticks.
“Regardless, prayers are all done from the heart,” he said.
There will be two benevolent rites held during the one-week ceremony.
The Virtue of Passage to Paradise of the West is a ritual to release the deceased and ancestors from suffering in different forms of reincarna-tion.
The Virtue of Longevity, Peace, Prosperity, Happiness and Health is a ritual to eliminate hindrance to good karma, career success and prosperity.
During the press conference, KTC also launched a guidebook on cemetery management.
The KTC grand praying ceremony will be conducted by chief monk Venerable Shi Kai Guo.
For details, visit ktc.org.my
