An Old New Custom

This year's Chung Yeung Festival has me in a contemplative mood.

The Chinese custom of cleaning and maintaining the graves of one's ancestors is worthwhile, but paying respect one's forebears has greater value.

I draw the line at actual worship of the deceased, but taking time out of a busy life to stop and consider the person I am, in relation to the people who brought me into the world, helps steer me on the path toward the person I want to become.

Am I a good human being? What are my values? Do I seek to help others rather than harm them?

More questions exist, but a major point of visiting the grave of your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents (whatever the situation calls for) is to remind yourself to strive to be a person they would be proud of.

Living in Hong Kong does not afford me the opportunity to visit the graves of my parents during Chung Yeung or Ching Ming, unless I happen to be in Canada during those festivals. The alternative would be to set up an ancestral tablet in our home, which isn't a terrible idea. Lighting up three joss sticks now and then, or even daily, is no different than dropping by a Catholic church to light a candle.

The custom of remembering those who brought me into this world is worth incorporating into my life.

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