Ching Ming Festival, Zhong Yuan Festival (Ullambana Festival), and Dong Zhi Festival (Winter Solstice) are important times to pray to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, as well as tending graves and paying our respect to our ancestors.
If we are to pay our respect to the deceased at home or at cemeteries, it is best to do so before 2pm. At home, you can make offerings of water, fruit and flowers; light oil lamps, light incense, recite sutras and mantras and burn Little Houses. Once the ceremony is finished and the incense has finished burning, you can put everything away. Do not leave the photos or spirit tablets of the deceased out all day long.
Ching Ming (Tomb-sweeping) Festival
Question: Dear Master Lu, Ching Ming Festival (or Qingming Festival, Tomb-sweeping Day) is approaching and I plan to visit the cemetery. Can I burn Little Houses there? Which sutras or mantras should I recite while I am there? Also, is there anything else that I should be aware of? Thank you.
Answer: Festivals celebrated based on the lunar calendar, including Ching Ming Festival, Zhong Yuan Festival (Ullambana Festival), and Dong Zhi Festival (Winter Solstice) are important times to pray to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, as well as tending graves and paying our respect to our ancestors. These are also crucial times for us to prevent foreign spirits from occupying our bodies, and to help them ascend to a higher spiritual realm.
The most effective way to pay respect to ancestors is to recite Little Houses and burn them under the sun. Generally, you can recite 1 to 4 Little Houses for each of your deceased family members.
Little Houses can be burnt in front of the Buddhist altar in your home as per usual. You can also burn them at the cemetery as long as it is during the daytime on a sunny day.
When you burn Little Houses at the cemetery, do not offer the “Heart Incense” to invite Guan Yin Bodhisattva. Instead, you should offer incense to the deceased and burn the Little Houses directly in front of the grave.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism Your Questions Answered, Q&A 53. Ching Ming (Tomb-sweeping) Festival
For more information, please refer to this link:
THINGS TO NOTE DURING CHING MING
THINGS TO NOTE DURING CHING MING AND DRAGON BOAT FESTIVALS
- The door of the Underworld will be opened during the Dragon Boat Festival (similar to festivals such as Ching Ming Festival, Zhong Yuan Festival (Ullambana Festival) and Dong Zhi Festival (Winter Solstice). It is just like a short school break.
- One month prior to these festivals, a lot of foreign spirits will be freed. This could trigger arguments between couples or among family members, cause illnesses, etc.
- There is a saying that we should not wish each other “happiness” during the Dragon Boat Festival; similar to what we do during Ching Ming Festival. Rather, we should only wish each other “safe and well” because it is a special day for us to pay respect to the deceased. This is an appropriate practice; it has long been advocated by several ancient dynasties in China.
- Indeed, every festival is different. While it is perfectly fine to wish each other happiness during other festivals, doing so during the Dragon Boat Festival or Ching Ming Festival is not appropriate.
- Hosting wedding ceremonies on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival is not recommended. This also applies to Ching Ming Festival, Zhong Yuan Festival (Ullambana Festival), and Dong Zhi Festival (Winter Solstice).
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism Your Questions Answered, Q&A 173. Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival)
For more information, please refer to this link:
Tomb Sweeping: Dos’ and Dont’s
HOW MANY DAYS BEFORE CHING MING FESTIVAL IS IT MOST APPROPRIATE TO PERFORM TOMB SWEEPING?
Caller: A Buddhist practitioner would like to know how many days prior to Ching Ming Festival is it more appropriate to perform tomb sweeping for those who are unable to be at the cemetery on the day?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You may do so one month or so prior to the festival. It does not mean that you have to visit the tomb on the day. In fact, you can perform tomb sweeping in advance.
Caller: I see. Thank you, Master.
Source: Wenda20190317 06:16, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
IT IS ADVISABLE TO WEAR PLAIN CLOTHES TO THE CEMETERY TO PERFORM TOMB SWEEPING DURING CHING MING FESTIVAL
Caller: Is it true that we should not wear flashy or bright-colour clothes to the cemetery to perform tomb sweeping during Ching Ming Festival.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course it is better to wear clothes that are plain looking. You are bound to draw scoldings from others if you wear flashy clothes. Your family members will go, “What statement are you trying to make here? Ching Ming Festival is a day when we should opt for plain-looking apparel; why are you in such flashy clothes? What are you trying to show? Is this an occasion for celebration?” Flashy apparel lacks solemnity, do you understand?
Caller: If that’s the case, is white acceptable?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Both white and black are acceptable.
Source: Wenda20160403B 26:55, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
DO NOT BRING HOME ANY OF THE OFFERINGS TO THE DECEASED; HOW SHOULD WE STATE OUR PRAYER WHEN OFFERING LITTLE HOUSES TO THE DECEASED IN FRONT OF THEIR GRAVES?
Caller: When offering Little Houses at the cemetery, does it matter if we do so in the morning or afternoon?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It does not matter as long as you do so in the daytime. But, avoid doing so when the sky is getting darker or at a time when the sky is seemingly bright but is rapidly turning dark.
Caller: How about doing so right before 4 o’clock in the afternoon?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Try your best to bring it forward.
Caller: Is it necessary to bring along an incense burner for this purpose? Is it alright for us to insert the incense into the mound on the grave?
Master Jun Hong Lu: If it’s not feasible to bring an incense burner along, use a bowl as the incense holder and this is definitely much better than inserting the incense into the soil.
Caller: Once the incense has burnt out, do I bring home the bowl or just leave it there?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Don’t keep it anymore.
Caller: Is there any colour requirement for the piece of cloth placed below the offerings?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It’s fine to use a red or yellow cloth.
Caller: Can we bring home the fruits that have been offered to the ancestors?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Do not bring home the fruits that have been offered to the ancestors. These are not offerings made to Bodhisattvas. They are fruits for the ghosts! Are you sure you want to keep and eat them?
Source: Wenda20120401A 39:57, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
CAN WE OFFER FLOWERS AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS WHEN PAYING RESPECT TO THE DECEASED?
Caller: When paying respect to the deceased at their grave, can we offer flowers and alcoholic drinks?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It is not recommended to do so if you feel that the deceased has ascended to heaven. If you are thinking of offering Little Houses to help the deceased ascend to the heavenly realm, it is best not to do so. These are acts that connect you to the netherworld.
Caller: Hence it is best not to offer alcoholic beverages, correct?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You must not do that as one of the five Buddhist precepts is abstaining from intoxicants.
Caller: Correct. Thank you, Master.
Source: Wenda20140202B 28:44, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
Things to note when praying to the deceased at home
SHOULD WE OFFER LITTLE HOUSES IN FRONT OF THE DECEASED’S TABLETS OR THE BUDDHIST ALTAR ON THE DAY OF CHING MING FESTIVAL?
Caller: Hello Master. On the day of Ching Ming Festival, when offering Little Houses to the deceased at home, should we offer them in front of their tablets or the Buddhist altar?
Master Jun Hong Lu: If the deceased’s name is printed on the tablet, it is better to offer Little Houses in front of their tablets, otherwise, do so in front of a Buddhist altar.
Caller: Alright, I understand.
Source: Wenda20190405 01:18, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
DO NOT LEAVE THE MEMORIAL TABLETS OF THE DECEASED ON THE OFFERING TABLE FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD
Question: During Ching Ming Festival or Dong Zhi (Winter Solstice), should we place the memorial tablets of the deceased on the offering table throughout the day or should we put them away once the prayer ceremony is over?
Answer: Generally, you should put the memorial tablets away once you have finished offering your prayer; do not just leave them there throughout the day. Once you have set up the tablets on the offering table, you may offer incense, prostrate, perform recitation, and prostrate again after offering Little Houses. Once the incense has burnt out, you may put them all away.
It may spell trouble if you leave them there the whole day. Firstly, the spirits of the deceased may not have much time to visit you that often anyway and secondly, in the event they leave, there’s a chance other foreign spirits might come over.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 42), 15 July 2012
PRAYER REQUEST WHEN PAYING RESPECT TO ANCESTORS
Question: Some fellow practitioners would like to ask about Ching Ming Festival and the death anniversary of their ancestors. What should we say when taking out the ancestral tablets to pay our respects?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You can place the tablets on the offering table and while offering the incense, you may state the following prayer:
“Dear father, <his full name>, and mother, <her full name>, I would like to offer both of you <number> Little Houses. I hope that both of you are well, and will be able to ascend to heaven. Please bless and protect me.”
It is ultimately their decision whether to offer you their blessings and protection, but as their descendants, you should still say so.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 31), 13 April 2012
SET UP A SEPARATE TABLE FOR PRAYING TO THE DECEASED ON THEIR DEATH ANNIVERSARY AND RELATED FESTIVALS
Master Jun Hong Lu: On important occasions such as the death anniversary date of a deceased (as per the lunar calendar), Ching Ming Festival (Tomb-sweeping Day), Zhong Yuan Festival (Ullambana Festival), Dong Zhi Festival (Winter Solstice), etc., you can place the picture of the deceased on a separate altar and offer incense. You can also offer some Little Houses to the deceased.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism Your Questions Answered, Q&A 74. Performing Recitations For Family and Friends On Their Deathbed
For more information, please refer to this link:
Q&A 74. Performing recitations for family and friends on their deathbed
HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH FRUIT OFFERINGS TO THE DECEASED?
Caller: Master, generally during Ching Ming and Zhong Yuan (Ullambana) Festivals, we will make offerings to our deceased parents at home. At the end of the ceremony, how should we handle these fruits and other consumables? Master has said before that we can leave the offerings made at the cemetery behind. What about food offered to the deceased when we do so at home, Master?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It’s not good to consume it either. It is best not to consume offerings for the deceased. You aren’t able to see, and I can’t describe to you in detail. For the deceased that have become ghosts, they will stick out their tongues and their saliva will flow down as they ‘consume’ the offerings. It’s very disgusting and yet, you still want to eat the offerings! Go ahead if you dare to.
Caller: No, I don’t eat these offerings, Master.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Dispose of them.
Caller: Alright!
Master Jun Hong Lu: You can consume offerings made to Bodhisattvas, but not those offered to the deceased.
Caller: Yes, Master.
Source: Wenda20160925B 36:16, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
PERFORM RECITATION DURING CHING MING FESTIVAL
PERFORM MORE RECITATIONS BEFORE CHING MING FESTIVAL, PRAY TO GUAN YIN BODHISATTVA FOR BLESSINGS PRIOR TO ANY MAJOR PROCEEDINGS
Master Jun Hong Lu: Ching Ming (Tomb-sweeping) Festival is just around the corner; I hope everyone will take extra precautions during this period. Please perform more recitations prior to the festival. For the most part, in memory of the deceased, you must offer more Little Houses to them. On top of that, please be particularly cautious yourself; it is best that you pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva for blessings prior to any major proceedings. I hope everyone will stay safe around Ching Ming Festival.
Source: Shuohua20170331 00:40, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
Recitation of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance (LIFO): Maximum 49 times (inclusive of the daily homework)
Pray to the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva to eliminate specific negative karma committed in present life.
Offering of Little Houses:
The number of Little Houses to be offered to individual deceased and your own karmic creditors should not exceed 49 each. Your own karmic creditors include a miscarried child or the karmic creditor of your house.
REASONS FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO PERFORM RECITATION, AND WHY ILLNESS MAKES A COMEBACK DURING CHING MING FESTIVAL, ZHONG YUAN FESTIVAL OR WINTER SOLSTICE
Caller: During Ching Ming Festival, Zhong Yuan Festival and Winter Solstice, some Buddhist friends will start having difficulty in performing recitation a few weeks prior to the festivals. Things will return to normal once these festivals are over. What’s the reason for this? Is it because they lack the positive energy or they do not recite a sufficient amount of Little Houses during this period? Can Master advise me?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Let me ask you this question and you will know why. When carrying a bucket of water, if you put too much water into the bucket, it will become too heavy to lift, don’t you think?
Caller: That’s right.
Master Jun Hong Lu: There will be many foreign spirits nearing the Zhong Yuan and Ching Ming Festivals. In this case, don’t you think it will make it hard to perform recitation?
Caller: Yes Master. There is a Buddhist friend who was cured of his illness a few years ago after performing the three Golden Buddhist Practices of reciting the Buddhist scriptures, releasing captive lives and making vows. However, he will suffer a relapse when it is getting close to these festivals.
Is it because he has yet to offer a sufficient number of Little Houses? Could it be that he has to continue to endure the karmic retribution despite having sufficiently repaid it through Little Houses?
Master Jun Hong Lu: If you have fully repaid your karmic debt with a sufficient number of Little Houses, the remaining karmic retribution would be reduced significantly. What does it mean by “fully repaid”? Once fully repaid, the karmic debt ceases to exist. In his case, it looks like he has yet to fully repay his karmic debt. He might have temporarily sent off the foreign spirits, but has yet to thoroughly help them ascend to a higher spiritual realm.
Caller: I understand now.
Source: Wenda20180318A 48:17, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
Dos’ and Dont’s during Ching Ming Festival
IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO PERFORM THE CALLING OF ONE’S SOUL DURING THE PERIOD BEFORE AND AFTER CHING MING FESTIVAL
Caller: Master, may I clarify that it is not advisable to perform the calling of one’s soul during the Ching Ming Festival period? Or does it only apply to the day itself?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It is best not to do so prior and post Ching Ming Festival because there are simply too many spirits around that time.
Source: Wenda20190331 10:29, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
DO NOT HOLD WEDDINGS ON THE DRAGON BOAT, CHING MING, ULLAMBANA AND THE WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVALS
Question: A Buddhist practitioner’s son has selected 7th October for his wedding, only to find out that it is the Double Ninth Festival (Chong Yang Festival) on the lunar calendar. Unfortunately, the booking deposit for the hotel has been placed, and hence the date cannot be changed. May I know if there is anything to take note of with regards to weddings that fall on the Double Ninth Festival?
Answer: It is still acceptable to hold a wedding on the Double Ninth Festival. However, it is a no-no on the Dragon Boat, Ching Ming (Tomb-sweeping), Ullambana and the Winter Solstice Festivals.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 304), 16 April 2019
WHAT SHOULD WE DO IF WE HAVE TO LEAVE OUR HOME EMPTY DUE TO BUSINESS TRIPS DURING CHING MING OR ZHONG YUAN FESTIVALS?
Caller: Some Buddhist friends have to go for business trips which could be for an extended period, straddling over several weeks and this period coincides with Ching Ming or Zhong Yuan Festivals. Because some of these Buddhist friends are single and the moment they go for such trips, their homes will be left empty and their Buddhist altars will have no one to take care of. In this regard, what should they take note of as Buddhist practitioners?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It doesn’t really matter. They can leave the recording of the Great Compassion Mantra by Grand Choir turned on all the time.
Caller: Do they have to pray and inform Bodhisattvas before leaving for their business trips? Alternatively, do they need to offer Little Houses in advance for this purpose?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You may pray to Bodhisattvas, but there isn’t a need to offer Little Houses.
Caller: I see. For those who are putting up in hotels during their business trips during these special periods, should they follow the specific steps to chant the Great Compassion Mantra to each of the four walls in the hotel room?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, that is necessary.
Caller: Alright. The reason I asked is because this Buddhist friend is worried about having to leave his home empty during Zhong Yuan or Ching Ming Festivals. Does he run the risk of attracting any foreign spirits to his home during his absence?
Master Jun Hong Lu: No.
Source: Wenda20180504 01:29:16, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
AVOID SETTING UP THE BUDDHIST ALTAR ON CHING MING FESTIVAL, WINTER SOLSTICE OR ZHONG YUAN FESTIVAL
Caller: Is it true that we should avoid setting up the Buddhist altar on the days of the 24 Solar Terms?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It should be fine to do so in the morning. That said, avoid the unsuitable dates such as the Winter Solstice, Ching Ming Festival or Zhong Yuan Festival.
Caller: Alright. Thank you, Master.
Source: Wenda20191215 16:20, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO SET UP THE BUDDHIST ALTAR ON CHING MING FESTIVAL
Question: How many days before or after Ching Ming Festival is it not advisable for us to set up Buddhist altars?
Answer: Simply avoid doing so on the day itself. It is best for one to stay at home to perform recitation and go out less. This is because the streets are flooded with foreign spirits. Ching Ming Festival is essentially similar to Halloween celebrated in the West.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 298), 27 March 2019
IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO WISH OTHERS ‘HAPPINESS’ DURING THE DRAGON BOAT OR CHING MING FESTIVALS
Question: May I ask if there is such a tradition not to wish others ‘happiness’ during the Dragon Boat Festival, because it is a day when we pay respect to the deceased, similar to the Ching Ming Festival?
It is common knowledge not to wish each other ‘happiness’ during the Dragon Boat Festival. Instead, you should extend wishes of ‘safety and wellness’. This is because the Dragon Boat Festival is a day to make offerings and pay respect to the deceased.
On this day, Wu Zi Xu was thrown into Qiantang River; Cao E drowned while trying to rescue her father in Cao E River; and the great poet Qu Yuan committed suicide by drowning himself in Miluo River.
The fifth day of the fifth lunar month is known as ‘the day of poison’, a solemn occasion to commemorate the passing of the deceased. Please take note that you are not supposed to wish each other ‘happiness’ during all festive periods. You should only wish others ‘safety and wellness’ on Ching Ming Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival”.
Answer: Such taboos were prevalent during some of the ancient Chinese dynasties. It’s indeed true that all festive periods are different. Take Mother’s Day as an example, do you think it is appropriate to wish a male, “Happy Mother’s Day”?
There is a reason why greetings have to be appropriate to the festival. While it is perfectly fine to wish others happiness during other festivals, doing so during the Dragon Boat Festival is not appropriate, nor can you wish someone, “Let’s celebrate those who drowned themselves in the river”. Similarly, we would not wish others happiness during the Ching Ming Festival. In this respect, what the person told you is in accordance with the dharma and the path of rightness.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 165), 10 June 2017
[From the Editor] The following is an extract from “The Art of Applying Comprehensive Metaphysics” radio program on 8th January 2013. Master Lu saw foreign spirits on the wall to the right of the front entrance. The caller said that it was the painting “Life along the Bian River at the Qingming Festival”. Master Lu emphasised many times about not having antiques, and images with human or animal figures at home as they are likely to attract foreign spirits. The caller has an antique painting with many human figures at home. This caused him to have many foreign spirits at his place and his parents became unwell as a result.
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Master Lu: Hello!
Caller: Hi Master Lu. I would like to ask you, do I have foreign spirits at my place?
Master Lu: They are on the wall, on the right hand side of the front entrance.
Caller: Right hand side? On the wall? There’s a painting.
Master Lu: Alright! What kind of painting?
Caller: It’s an antique painting called something Qing Ming on some river…
Master Lu: Qing Ming River?
Caller: There are many people…
Master Lu: Oh, Life along the Bian River at the Qingming Festival!
Caller: Oh, yes, yes, yes!
Master Lu: Ah, why do you have this painting hanging at home? Let me tell you, I saw it straight away. Foreign spirits are located there! No wonder there are so many of them! That painting has many people in it. Ah, I don’t know what to say anymore… Many people with antiques at home become ill. Do you understand?
Caller: I understand, I understand! Both my parents are unwell!
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s radio program extracts and Q&A, 16 February 2020
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