Typically fixed in the month of April, the Qing Ming festival is also one which follows the Lunar calendar. Usually it falls on the 4th, 5th or 6th of April; pertaining to the leap years as well.This year, however, the festival falls on the 5th of April; a Wednesday.Qing Ming, also known as the Chinese version of All Souls' Day; is the time where most of the Chinese community will pay a visit to the cemetery to pay respects to their late ancestors. During this time, most of the family members will make it a point to be present and thus it is also a time for family reunion. Typically, that's why you always hear the phrase in Hong Kong series, "If there's anything to discuss about, we can talk about it when we visit the cemetery" (Yau mat yeh lau fan pai san sin chi kong) - an expression which describes the time when everyone(literally) will be present.Also, for the convenience of the contemporary working people, this occasion can be observed from 10 days earlier or later; thus giving them the opportunities to have the allowance of more than 2 weeks to fulfill their duties to visit their late ancestors' graves.I came across this website which describes the Qing Ming festival as "Clear Brightness" in literal terms and also it is a "Tomb Sweeping Day". Technically, it's based on the tradition whereby the descendants will clean and sweep the graves/tombs clean during the visit. It's typical since this is an annual visit and thus the grounds will be in an unkept situation. Furthermore, the Chinese are into the idea of growing the grass around the tombs to ensure prosperity and wealth to the future generations. In fact, I recalled from my grandmother that the longer these weed grass grows, the more wealth the family can be assured of. Some even go to the extent of planting the grass and then shaving them off each year when they visit the graves.Anyhow, from this particular website: http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/festival/qingming/qingming.html it seems that Qing Ming was not originally observed as a tomb visiting day; it actually followed from the Spring celebration and as they traced it to two weeks after the vernal equinox. It is in a way also opening the doors to the planting season. People in the olden times observed the occasion with songs, dances, and having fun.Today, this trend is strengthened with the most important value in the Chinese culture, the bonding of the familial relationship. It is important that everyone is there to pay their respects to their late ancestors; which is after all, only once a year. This is also in view of the Confucius teachings on the importance of filial piety.Coming to terms with the continuous growth of advanced development, we can very well expect progression as well as commercialization of this yearly event. The traders are getting smarter with the various items which are used as offerings to the dead. In case you are wondering, when they visit the graves, they usually bring food, joss sticks, and also paper paraphenalia to be burnt as offerings to the dead "down there".Some of the paper items include cars, houses, technology gadgets, maids, furnitures, etc - all made of paper.The food offered are usually cooked food which are supposed to consist of the favourite food of the deceased.They will burn the paper money, then the items which they purchased for the comfort and luxury of living of their ancestors in the netherworld. If you do happen to go to some of these shops selling items for worship, you'll be amazed with the creativity of the items they have in the shop; they have the latest models of the cars and houses are of the bungalows type, latest cellular phone models, trendy and fashionable clothes, etc.Well, these are all so idealistic which makes it seem that they fare better than they were after they have passed on to the netherworld. You may be poor in living when you were alive but look at all the luxurious items you could possess once you have died. I am not stating that this is non-believing practices; to burn the paper paraphernalia to the dead; to believe it or not, it's entirely the customs and I respect that:)However, to me whether you are rich or poor is not measured by wealth or the number of luxurious cars or houses you have. It all comes from the things you have done while you live, you may be poor but if you live a good life, you will be assured of the reputation of dying as a fulfilled man. Also, if there was a netherworld, I believe in retribution. As the saying goes, what goes around comes around. You may think you can get away with all your evil deeds but in fact, they will always be there; blood in your hands to remind you of what you have done.Reflecting from a story which I read in the True Singapore Ghost Stories about this rich man who turned his back on his poor servant in times of need, and when he died he suffered in the purgatory which he was stripped to rags and poor while his poor old servant, with a pure heart of gold, enjoyed the good times in Heaven.The poor rich man....- Yer may be a rich man in life but a poor rich man after life -
I just came across this topic and decided to do a quick post on it...Having watched The Exorcist, the all-time classic of a true story of the possession of a 5 year old girl, Reagan, one would definitely have in mind the whole idea of what this is all about.The Exorcist was definitely true to its time of making, a classic and horrifying movie which was depicted as so vividly real that you would definitely freak out if you are sleeping alone. I watched it when I was really young and you know what they say about children's memory; typically and scientifically proven, one would only be able to recall their childhood memories set from the age of 7 onwards. In other words, memories before the age of 7 may appear pretty vague when you try to recall. However, I remember this movie vividly; especially of the shaking of the bed, the blueish green bedroom, the puke of Reagan over the priest, and the famous scene of the 360 degrees turn of Reagan's head when she turned to face the approaching priest. Also another terrifying scene would be that of Reagan masturbating with the crucifix. *shivers*I guess I made my point in saying that this movie certainly left a deep impression in my memory. In fact, this movie did so well that initiated so many ensuing sequels and also other movies of the similar genre but still nothing beats the classic of all time. Other memorable horror movies include Poltergeist and also The Omen.I watched another true story of demonic possession, a new release last year; The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Also another true story of a normal teenage girl who was possessed by the 6 evil spirits; and the filmmakers also included the actual recording of the sounds by Satan in the film...I didn't know about that until after the movie...eerie huh?Well, after watching all these movies, you'd definitely be more on your edge and devout to your religion. However, the controversion in the Emily Rose's account was she was already a devout Catholic and her whole family was also a religious lot but Emily is still a victim of uninvited possession. Yup, this movie really puts us to question faith but I believe that there is always a reason behind everything. God makes things happen for a reason.Also, another interesting thing I found out through this movie was the evil hour which was at 3.00a.m. I know about the holy hour at 3.00p.m since Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was crucified on Good Friday at this hour. Thus, all Catholics and Christian alike observe this as the holy hour. To spite this, I heard from my friend that that is the main reason why the evil hour is set at 3.00p.m. After watching this movie, 3.00a.m is never the same anymore. Anyhow, faith is indeed a powerful thing. In fact, it is also one of the strengths in an exorcism. If you have actually seen a real-life exorcism or even in movies, I heard from some church members who was physically there to assist the priest, that the devil is always trying to distract your attention and tries to shake you off your religious grounds. Therefore, if you are not strong enough, the devil actually triumphs. This is also one of the main reasons not all priests can be exorcists; only experienced and faithful priests and also specially trained in handling exorcisms. In fact, a failed exorcism could be fatal and typically, the Church would not want to mess with lives.Furthermore, the devil often tries to instill fear and confusion thus making one weak and vulnerable and also susceptible to possession. In fact, according to people, the possessed are usually confused people or those who are unsure.There are a few signs which I found in a website on the telltale signs to tell if a person is possessed:1. Ability to speak and comprehend a multittude of languages which he/she is never able to or exposed to before.2. Extraordinary physical strength as compared to before - if 4-5 men can't hold down a 5 feet girl, then you can be sure of that. In fact, Sister Agatha, that's the church member I talked to, she mentioned that there was this possessed lady who was held down by 8 strong men in the church and yet they are struggling hard to hold her. At the same time, she (or the devil) hissed at all of them - clear intention to instill the fear.3. Sudden deep interest or knowledge in the occult stuffs4. Resistance towards religious materials or speech - and start to talk about AntiChrist, etc.In fact, Agatha also told me of this possession of another in my church where the priest was performing the exorcism by reading the sacred and holy verses from the bible; intending to cast out the devil in the name of the Lord(that's the common practice - as all are humble servants in front of the Almighty Creator). While the priest was reading the verses, the Devil was already reading the lines ahead...definitely scary. It's always a challenge in the battle between the good and the evil.My church used to be famous because of a legendary French priest, the late Father Decrooq who died before I was born. He's famous due to his amazing exorcism skills; yes, he was an exorcist and a powerful priest. One of the well-loved person during his time; in fact, everyone flocked to his funeral then and he is still fondly remembered to this day. Praise the Lord....Amen.
