There were several questions asked about the traditional tea ceremony for the ancestors during occasions such as Cheng Beng (All Soul’s Day), Wedding Day, Chinese New Year Day, and other festivities. In order to answer everyone all the time, I have decided to release the following article.
Question: When we perform the traditional tea ceremony for the wedding (pouring out tea to each our parents, family, etc) or other auspicious occasion, we were asked to pour some for our dead ancestors as well. I see this as a form of worship, while others think it's merely respect. In your opinion, what is the correct thing to do here?
Answer:
The living parents deserve to drink tea that we offer to them. When they drink of our tea, that shows that they receive our respect and appreciation of them. It is a living relationship - where we give respect, and they receive respect.
My question: Can the dead drink of the tea? How do we show respect if they cannot appreciate it? The Bible talks about a separation of the dead and the living. So the tea ceremony to the dead ancestors is only a put-on show to satisfy the bystanders who are always ready to pass judgement (whether good or bad). If you do so, they say you are filial. If you don't they say you are not. The dead ancestors has no say at all - in this matter !! So it does not matter to them at all.
There are many ways to show respect to our dead ancestors.
How about:
a. standing at attention with the head slightly bowed, and observing silence for 3 minutes, before their photos (not their altars). I suggest 3 minutes because most critics cannot keep quiet for that long. Bystanders have to observe that silence too, if not they are not respectful !
b. Placing of nice flowers before the photos of the dead ancestors (again not at their altars/tablets) for we do the same for friends and relatives when they are unwell, or when we visit them socially.
Think of other creative ways to show respect that will not be misconstrued as worship.
Remember, if you are in the temple praying to the idols, pouring out of tea in a ceremony is considered worshiping them. 1 Cor 10:21 warns about partaking of the fellowship between the spirits and us.
God bless,
Ps Steven Wong
Posts
Hi, this is not really related to drinking tea. But when relatives go to "sweep tomb", how should Christians conduct themselves? Is offering flowers acceptable?
ReplyDeleteCan I know if it's ok for Christians to offer flowers instead of joss sticks when going with relatives to "sweep-tomb"?
ReplyDeleteHi Fleur,
ReplyDeleteI believe it is alright to place flowers on those special days to remember those who have died. Flowers have many significance, and one of the most important one is that you show affection and remembrance to the one you are offering to.
As for joss-sticks, I believe it is not proper for a Christian to offer these to the dead, because joss-sticks have the connotation of worship. Please see my other page on this:
http://exposingchineseancestorworship.blogspot.com/2008/09/joss-sticks.html
and
http://exposingchineseancestorworship.blogspot.com/2007/05/honor-or-worship.html
Regards,
Steven
Thanks, Steven. How about offering flowers in place of joss sticks during Chinese rites such as those done on the death anniversary?
ReplyDeleteThe question is : What Chinese rites?
ReplyDeleteAre those spiritual rites? Or are they just remembrance day for the dead?
Putting of flowers is good for remembrance and giving respect and honor - not for spiritual giving to appease the spirit of the dead.