‘Observe Qing Ming at home’

GEORGE TOWN: In view of the ongoing Qing Ming festival, MCA and Chinese religious bodies have urged the people to pay their respects to their ancestors at home as the nation observes the movement control order (MCO).

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic) said the tradition of performing rituals and paying respects during Qing Ming was something that all Cabinet members, including the Prime Minister, respect.

“Once we have overcome this Covid-19 pandemic, we can all continue to gather again to pay our respects next year.

“In order to prevent the spread of the disease effectively, we urge all Malaysians to stay home and break the chain of infection.

“The MCO lockdown, which started on March 18 and extended until April 14, is a long battle against the virus.

“We all hope that this battle will end soon but we must still prepare for the worst.

“All Malaysians must stand united and cooperate with the government during this very difficult and critical time, ” he said in a statement.

Qing Ming, also known as Chinese All Souls Day or Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a 2,500-year-old festival to honour the ancestors. It falls on April 4 this year.

But according to Chinese customs and tradition, the community will pay their respects some 10 days before and after the actual date.

Dr Wee said Qing Ming is a significant festival as it allows the Chinese community to remember their ancestors and pray for blessings for the younger generation.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong), all religious organisations and management of cemeteries in answering the government’s call by urging the public to observe Qing Ming in a different way, ” he said.

Malaysian Buddhist Association president Ven Seck Jit Heng urged the Chinese community, especially the Buddhists, to continue the Qing Ming tradition by having a simple prayer or the chanting of transference of merits to ancestors, instead of praying at tombs in cemeteries or columbariums.

“We encourage the people to recite Ksitigarbha Sutra, Amitabha Sutra or Heart Sutra as memorial rites on April 4 at 11am.

“Families who have a memorial tablet or ancestor altar at home, you can also offer some food during the prayers.

“For those who do not have that in their house, they can do the prayers by chanting individually, ” he said in a statement.

Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia president Tan Hoe Chieow urged the people to adhere strictly to the MCO and not go to the tombs for Qing Ming spring cleaning.

“You can pray from your homes and pray that your ancestors will protect you and your family from this pandemic.

“Let us pray for the blessings of Heavenly Lord San Qing and our ancestors and by staying at home, practising social distancing and observing personal hygiene, ” he said.

Fo Guang Shan Malaysia and Singapore abbess Ven Jue Cheng said to ensure health and safety, the people should observe social distancing to prevent a spike in infection.

“I believe our ancestors will not wish for their descendants to be infected by Covid-19 while going out for tomb-sweeping.

“It is better to postpone until the situation improves or subsides, ” she said, adding that those with ancestral tablets at home, could offer incense or practice Sutra calligraphy at home as a way to transfer merits to their ancestors.