Stories are aplenty from my parents with temple medium being the messengers of ancestors receiving their offerings. Still, one can never verify any facts or truth of those messages. I remember my mother told me of her visit to the medium a week after our visit to the cemetery, that our grandparents (deceased) receiving their ‘clothes’ with tiny little holes in them. The reason for this was that we poked and lifted at the offerings during their burning to allow more air for the fire to spread itself and consume the remains of those offering thoroughly. So from that year on, being still in my teenage years, obediently we made sure we place those offering on a rock and angle it so that air will pass thru underneath and give life to the fire without having to poke at the offerings.Whether it is pure belief of the afterlife or simply spiritually of oneself to move on in life with confidence, I continue with this practice simply because out of respect for my parents and grand parents. After all, it is their wish and being the son that I am, felt the need to perform them to fulfill an obligation.
My son, now in his first year in primary, tag along since he was 5. And still being innocently perceiving such matter, seem to comply and enjoy this once a year ritual and having the company of his 2 uncles who grew a liking to his juvenile presence.
This year especially, things had to toned down on our offerings what with the uncertainty of the economy. No lavish ‘accessories’ and ‘luxuries’ but the necessary basic necessities “sent” to my ancestors for their daily needs.
Having written that, I was compelled to search for the origin of this tradition, an understanding and what came about such a practice in the first place. Firstly, I thought I will not be successful as these rituals tend to have past down from generations to generations by mere words of mouth. Surprise though on what I discovered.
Below is extracted from my search and what I managed to comprehend of this age old practice. And before you read on, I’ve only to make one conclusion. There’s really no relation as to the taboos and superstitions of prosperity and well being. But I do find that it was originated out of regret thus the respect bestowed to remember the saviour in their honour. From thereon, it manifested thru the years and evolved into a religion.As to my son, when he’s old enough, with cremation, and the consent of my other half, I may just wish of him to honour me in memory and to be presence in spirit in his home.
Ching Ming, which means clear and bright in Chinese, falls on April 5th this year. It is both the fifth term in the traditional lunar calendar and a festival to hold memorial ceremony for the dead. It is a time to express one's grief for his lost relatives. An ancient elegiac poem, which described a grievous woman, was read that vines tangled in vain and weeds crept in the graveyard, and her husband slept there lonely. It was so difficult to endure for her as if summer in the day and winter at night. And her only wish was to reunite with him after death.
People often go to sweep and weed graves with whole family and take a walk in the countryside as well. In Tang Dynasty, the habit of taking an excursion on this day was developed. At this time, spring returns and dominates the earth again. The feel of growing life is in the air, with sap ascending in trees and buds bursting. And the willow branches inserted on each gate add vigor and vitality to the surroundings. But it actually means more than that. This custom can be traced back to over one thousand years ago.
During the Period of Spring and Autumn in the Jin Kingdom (722 - 481 BC), one of the King's sons was called Chong Er. Jealous of his talent, a concubine falsely accused him of rebellion to make her son the crown prince. He had no choice but to flee and with him were some officials. They hid themselves in a mountain and went hungry for quite some time. An official named Jie Zitui took great pain to cut some flesh from his thigh and cooked it for Chong Er. When the fact was known the young master was moved to tears and knelt down in gratitude. And Jie replied his best repayment should be a just king. They lived a life of hunger and cold for three years until the evil concubine died. Many soldiers were sent to look for him and to escort him back home. Going into the carriage, he saw an official packed an old mat onto a horse, he said laughingly, 'What on earth is the use of that? Throw it away!' Jie Zitui heard it and sighed, 'It is hardship that can be shared with his majesty but not prosperity.' So he went away quietly and lived in seclusion with his old mother.
As Chong Er became king, he rewarded many people but he forgot Jie Zitui. He did not realize it until was reminded. However his invitation was refused and he flared up. Soldiers were ordered to burn up the mountain to force Jie to come out. Finally they found Jie and his mother scorched under a willow. He would rather die than yield to the power. Chong Er was so overwhelmed with regret that he ordered people hold memorial ceremony for Jie. So every year on that day folks mourned for him and the day before ate cold meals, which avoided making fire.
A year later, Chong Er went back to the mountain to pay respect to Jie. He found the willow tree had come back to life. He quietly picked up some budding willow branches, plaited into a wreath, and put on his head to show his respect. And he ordered that the day after Hanshi Festival was to be the Chingming Festival. Later, the two festivals were combined as one – Ching Ming Festival.
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