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