As I walk along..

In traditional Taoism style, people burn paper money and throw coins around while paying respect to the dead during the Qing Ming festival (a time when Chinese people remember their deceased relatives). These people believe the spirits of the deceased need travelling expenses and tolls for their long journey back to earth. These practices were common and accepted in the past both by the community and by the authorities. However the burning of paper money creates air pollution and is being increasing viewed as unacceptable. In certain countries, the practice may be against the laws enacted to protect the environment. The throwing of coins everywhere is also a safety hazard increasing the risk of an accident like slip. It makes one wonder how these practices can help the dead.

It is heartening to read in the news that many funeral homes in China has erected signs asking people not to throw coins while paying respect to the dead. While tradition dies hard, a combination of education and law enforcement might be the key to modernisation of cultural practices leading to a more sustainable environment.

People always say: “tradition dies hard.” From the beginning of time, traditions had been an integral part of one’s cultural heritage. In every community, people practice their traditions inherited from their ancestors. The many traditions practiced by the many communities have ensured a diversification of cultures that enriched everyone’s life. However, in today’s society, many of the younger generation had viewed some traditions as out of step with time, and these traditions are slowing dying out. Is that good or bad?

I once heard about this experiment done on monkeys. I am not sure whether it is true or not. The experiment commenced with putting five monkeys in a cage. A bunch of banana was hung from the roof of the cage and a ladder was placed just below the bananas. Soon after the monkeys were put into the cage, one of the monkeys started to approach the ladder in order to reach for the bananas. As soon as the monkey reached the ladder, the rest of the monkeys were sprayed with very cold water. This process was repeated. The monkeys quickly learned that they would suffer with the cold water spray if one on them tried to climb the ladder. So if one of the monkeys tried to climb the ladder, the other monkeys in the cage would attack it and prevent it from reaching the ladder.

Now one of the monkeys in the cage is removed and replaced with a new monkey who did not know about the cold water spray. Naturally, the new monkey saw the bananas and attempted to climb the ladder to reach for the bananas. To its surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attacked it. After another attempt and attack, the new monkey knows that it is forbidden to climb the ladder.

Now, the second of the original five monkeys was replaced with another new monkey. The newcomer found itself attacked when it tried to reach for the ladder. The previous newcomer monkey also joined in the attack.

This process was repeated and the third, forth and fifth of the original monkeys was replaced. Every time the newest monkey takes to the ladder, it was attacked by the rest although most
of the monkeys that joined in the attach had no idea why they were not permitted to climb the ladder. Eventually none of the monkeys now had ever been sprayed with cold water. But as soon as any new comer approach the ladder, they would start to attack that monkey. So approaching the ladder became a forbidden act although the original reason behind it was not know to the present group of monkeys.

The above may illustrate how traditions are passed on from generations to generations. This was the way it was and it will always be the way.

In our own way of life, do we ever carry on with some traditions without knowing why? If so, Is it important for us to find out the origins of the traditions? Is it necessary to review those practices against current knowledge and social norm to determine whether such practices continue to serve their purposes originally intended? Are we any different from the monkeys in the experiment?

Today the Chinese community observe the Qing Ming festival or All Souls Day. This festival is commonly known as the Tomb Sweeping Day where the Chinese observe the traditional prayer and make offering of food, flowers and burn incense at their relatives' graves and literally clean the graveyards of weeds and bushes. In the minority cases with strong belief in traditional Chinese Taoism, they also burn coloured paper money with the hope that these may enable those diseased have sufficient mean to continue living in the world beyond. Superstition aside, the festival serves as a reminder to the younger generation to honour and remember their love ones who have passed away. May all souls rest in peace.

Today is also a public holiday in Hong Kong and Taiwan. As for the other countries where today is not a public holiday, the festival is normally performed earlier, normally the previous weekend.

As for any other days, many babies are born today. And to those who are born today and on this date, may I wish them Happy Birthday. It is a joyful day today.