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The weather is SOOO hot. Can't believe it. It's worst in Malaysia though. Yeps. back from the north. It was quite a different trip this time. To start off, my grand-uncle passed away. So we were back for the Buddist funeral. Which, is something I haven't attended for a pretty long time. I just sat there watching everything that happened. How the house transformed from a cosy, warm, happy place, to an eerie yellow curtained, flower wreath filled, big black-and-white photo sitting right in front of the door, 2 large lanterns with his surname and his age.
With my aunties, uncles, cousins, taking turns to chant, kneel, pray, singing this "tuneful" chant thing along with the nuns.
Religion doesn't seem like a real difference until you see these things in action I suppose. The peace that we have when someone passes away, because we know they have salvation, and is with God, doesn't seem evident here.
The number of times you chant, the way you chant, the things you do to help them leave the earth, makes a difference to the deceased. (according to the Buddist of course). The number of times you bow, or kneel, or the number of days you turn vegetarian. Just sets me to wondering why it doesn't just depend on the deceased faith, instead of all these rituals of the present.
And I was there listening and asking why these were done. Eerie stories galore! The deceased is supposed to return twice to the house, once which can be counted by some monk and another which can't be... food offerings... and chants... burning of joss sticks and all. Hmm...
I just thank God that for us, Christians, we know that we have salvation. It doesn't depend on the number of children you have to walk you out, or the number of sons you have, or the filial piety demonstrated through chants, or the time of the day which is counted as auspicious to be buried.
Going back is always about eating. (heh) and about shopping. Sleeping in and making yourself feel like a pig. That usually is a form of luxury if you ask me. But going in the midst of your studying week. Man. That's where the trouble really starts. The engine just switched itself off on Thursday evening after my paper. And it hasn't been turned on. It has this high inertia state. Reluctance to be ignited. Everything about eating, slacking, is still in my head. Self discipline had better start. SOON.
With my aunties, uncles, cousins, taking turns to chant, kneel, pray, singing this "tuneful" chant thing along with the nuns.
Religion doesn't seem like a real difference until you see these things in action I suppose. The peace that we have when someone passes away, because we know they have salvation, and is with God, doesn't seem evident here.
The number of times you chant, the way you chant, the things you do to help them leave the earth, makes a difference to the deceased. (according to the Buddist of course). The number of times you bow, or kneel, or the number of days you turn vegetarian. Just sets me to wondering why it doesn't just depend on the deceased faith, instead of all these rituals of the present.
And I was there listening and asking why these were done. Eerie stories galore! The deceased is supposed to return twice to the house, once which can be counted by some monk and another which can't be... food offerings... and chants... burning of joss sticks and all. Hmm...
I just thank God that for us, Christians, we know that we have salvation. It doesn't depend on the number of children you have to walk you out, or the number of sons you have, or the filial piety demonstrated through chants, or the time of the day which is counted as auspicious to be buried.
Going back is always about eating. (heh) and about shopping. Sleeping in and making yourself feel like a pig. That usually is a form of luxury if you ask me. But going in the midst of your studying week. Man. That's where the trouble really starts. The engine just switched itself off on Thursday evening after my paper. And it hasn't been turned on. It has this high inertia state. Reluctance to be ignited. Everything about eating, slacking, is still in my head. Self discipline had better start. SOON.
posted by theories at
5:21:00 PM
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