It is now the season for Ching Ming which happens annually. During this time, those who observe the practice will go to their ancestors’ cemeteries or tombs to clean them up and pray for them as a sign of filial piety.
Ching Ming in Malaysia and Singapore is slightly different and oftentimes a very important clan event that should not be missed.
Coupled with that, we would always make sure that our ancestors will get a lot of paper offerings and throughout the years, the offerings have gotten more creative to keep up with the trend.
Back then, stacks of hell notes were considered the norm but people are now burning whole bank buildings (made of paper, of course) and paper cars that are sized similarly to real-life cars.
It is said that like real cars, they will need to be transported to the cemetery via lorries, reported China Press.
It is definitely entertaining to see what people will buy to burn, and some netizens have commented (sarcastically) about it.
“Just burn the whole Earth together so that your ancestors can own the Earth.”
“I burned them some supercomputers so that they are able to hack the banks from home.”
A majority of the other netizens believe that the best time to show filial piety is not after the family member is dead but rather when they are still around and living.
“It’s better to accompany your grandparents/parents/relatives now by talking to them and making sure they are not lonely than to just burn a bunch of things for them after they pass away, right?”
“Not being filial when they are alive, and doing this after their death is useless. No one knows if they will ‘receive’ it or not. At the end of the day, this is just an excuse to comfort yourself.”
“Remember to be filial when they are alive, not when they are dead. No one knows if they will ‘receive’ it or not but the boss who sells all these will definitely receive your cash.”
Some say that this is to make sure that their ancestors do not suffer in the afterlife. But with that much hell notes being burned yearly, we wonder how high the inflation rate is there?
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!
Also read: “Sial” – M’sian Cusses & Scolds Elderly Mother For Accidentally Spilling Drink In Her Car
