Events

Low-key Qing Ming in Sandakan an improvement over last year

A Sandakan man and his family performed the Qing Ming ritual at a temple instead of going to the cemetery to avoid crowds

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 04 Apr 2021 12:00PM

Low-key Qing Ming in Sandakan an improvement over last year — Chan Loi Teck (L) and his father (C) burni fake money outside the Che Siang Khor Moral Uplifting Society temple as an offering and 'gift' to their deceased loved ones. – Pic courtesy of Ahmad Jimmy, April 4, 2021

by Rebecca Chong

CHAN Loi Teck’s family was busy preparing food on the Friday morning. But the steamed chicken rice and cake they made was not for them, they are for his deceased grandparents.

Once the food is done, Chan packed them into containers and the family left the house to buy Char Sew Pao (BBQ pork bun) and fruits, before going to the temple to offer them to their ancestors.

The Buddhist community in Sandakan does this on Qing Ming day, a day that is similar to All Soul’s Day for the Catholics, where people would visit and clean the cemetery of their loved ones.

Che Siang Khor Moral Uplifting Society temple located in Jalan Sim-Sim, Sandakan stores name plaques of the deceased for their family members to pray to. - Pic courtesy of Ahmad Jimmy

But this year, instead of going to the cemetery, Chan’s family decided to perform their prayers and offerings at the Che Siang Khor Moral Uplifting Society temple instead.

Chan said he wanted to avoid the crowd at the cemetery because his elderly parents are considered high-risk for the Covid-19 virus.

“Because we are doing this at the temple, we would light the incense and pray to the name plaques of our deceased loved ones. In my case, to my grandparents’ name plaques.

“We would pray for them to protect our family, and wish that they will receive and enjoy our offerings,” the 38-year-old father of two said.

(L) Chan’s mother praying to the name plaque of her mother-in-law, hoping for protection and blessing on her family. (R) Chan and his father lighting the incense during the Qing Ming Day ritual . - Pic courtesy of Ahmad Jimmy

Three sticks of incense that appeared to be thicker than the regular ones are lit up while the food is served on the table placed in front of the plaques. It is believed that their loved ones will be enjoying the food while the incense is burning for about half an hour.

Part of the food offering from Chan’s family are served on a table in front of the name plaques, while incense is burning. - Pic courtesy of Ahmad Jimmy

Chan also bought shirts, shoes, purses, and fake money made from paper for the offering, where they will be burnt in a pyre outside the temple.

Due to the pandemic, many cemeteries have implemented their own set of standard operating procedures (SOP) to avoid crowd at the premise.

During Qing Ming Day on April 4 last year, the families were not allowed to visit the cemeteries or temples due to the movement control order (MCO).

This year, the Ministry of National Unity announced that prayers at cemeteries and columbarium are allowed in all states but with strict SOP.

For Sabah, which is currently under a recovery movement control order (RMCO), the number of visitors is subject to the capacity of the cemeteries and columbarium.

Chan burning fake money outside the temple as an offering and 'gift' to his deceased grandparents. Buddhists burn packets of fake money during Qing Ming Day, in hopes they will be received by their ancestors in the 'underworld'. - Pic courtesy of Ahmad Jimmy

They are allowed to perform the Qing Ming Day rituals from March 20 to April 17, which is two weeks before and after the actual Qing Ming Day on April 4.

“We felt bad that we missed the offering ritual last year. So this year we are making up to it by presenting more food and burning more items than previous years.

“However, we were unable to bring our children to this ceremony this year because of the pandemic. Previously we would take them along so that they will learn the offering process, and get to know our culture, customs, and appreciate our heritage, and be thankful to their ancestors,” Chan added. – The Vibes, April 3, 2021.