Qing Ming Jie - In Memory of the Departed -- Venerable Dr. P. Gnanarama

According to Chinese Buddhist tradition Qing Ming Jie is considered the most important period of time for the living to forget their hectic lifestyle and devote their time in memory of the dead. In addition to some rites and rituals, which have been continued to be carried out through the ages, during this period, the living relatives also

perform meritorious deeds and transfer

merits to their departed ancestors for the sake of their happiness and well being.

The Significance Qing Ming

According to lunar calendar, this year being a leap year, the memorial service falls on the 4th of April.

Traditionally, Qing Ming is being observed by

Chinese Buddhists, Taoists and believers of Chinese folk

religions. This is a traditional date to remember, offer and pay

respect to departed ancestors and relatives. In

remembering them, living relatives sweep their tombs, weed graves in cemeteries and offer food and drink to them and light joss sticks in memory of them. Qing Ming Jie means Clear Bright Festival.

Historically speaking, it is said to have commenced by the Tang Emperor Xuang Zong in 732 A. D. The wealthy at the time, were in the habit of holding too many

expensive, elaborate ancestor-worshipping ceremonies. In order to put an end to this practice, the Emperor declared that

respect to ancestors should be paid only on the day of Qing Ming at their graves. Jie means festival and

coincidentally it is also called Qing Ming Jie as it had

been originated in memory of Jie Zitui, an official of Jin kingdom, who was hiding in self-exile and burnt alive with his mother due to the forest fire caused by the king to

retrieve him. The day before the festival, people eat cold food

without warming them up; therefore the festival is called Cold Food Day. Highlighting the nature and the different facets of the festival, the day is known by various names. Since it is the day of remembering and honouring all departed

ancestors, it is called All Souls Day (This should not be confused with the Roman Catholic holiday known by

that name). As the living relatives should visit, weed and sweep the graves and tombs during this festival day, it is

called Festival for Tending the Graves or Grave

Sweeping Day or Tomb Swee Day. Since the

remembering and honouring of the dead fall in spring

season, it is called Spring Remembrance. It is believed in the past that trees planted during this day would grow fast; hence the day is also called Arbor Day. (But after 1979 the arbor day is changed to 12th of March in Gregorian calendar)

Why the Buddhists Should Participate in Qing Ming?

The Buddha in the Sigalovada Sutta said that it is a duty of the children to transfer merits to their departed

parents from time to time. Moreover, the Tirokudda Sutta

describes the pathetic plight of the departed, who are still in the spirit world looking for a happier state of birth and also the feasibility of transferring merit to them. The Sutta says:

¡°Those who are reborn as unfortunate spirits

(because of craving for their property or

attachment to their kith and kin) return to their homes and create an eerie atmosphere while

lingering beyond the doors.¡±

¡°Living relatives should remember the spirits of their departed relatives who are not at peace with themselves and gather in many places.¡±

¡°Those who are compassionate, therefore, should remember their departed relatives and make offerings (such as almsgiving) in their names. By the whole-hearted transference of merits, the spirits will gratefully wish for the well being of their living relatives who perform the meritorious deeds.¡±

Thus the performance of meritorious deeds in

commemoration of the departed is a duty of the living relatives, which the Buddha also has advocated as a way of showing gratitude and honour to the dead. Therefore, the traditional Qing Ming festival also can be considered as an ideal time to commemorate and perform meritorious deeds. It is a wholesome act in accord with the age-old Chinese tradition and endorsed by the Buddha as well.

(Venerable Dr. P. Gnanarama is religious advisor of Singapore Buddhist & Pali College.)