The Qingming (Ching Ming) Festival is a Chinese tradition that is observed widely for thousands of years in many Asian countries whereby families pay respect to their ancestors. Some countries even mark it as a statutory holiday. In English, it’s known as Tomb-Sweeping Day.
Celebrated on the first day of the Qingming Solar Term, this year, 2020, the Qingming Festival falls on Saturday, April 4th.
Qingming’s literally translates as “clean and bright”, although it means more than tidying up their tombs and gravesites. Families also commemorate their ancestors, offer gratitude and respect to their ancestors.
To honour the ancestors, families visit the graves together before or on the day of Qingming. An important factor includes families putting their grudges behind them and being respectful and loving towards each other. Foul words or behaviours are not acceptable. This sincere process means even children remain solemn and respectful, and know not to fool around.
Usually, seniors, pregnant women, babies and toddlers, or other people with low energy do not visit the graves. They pay their respects at home. This is because the time around Qingming Festival, and the graveyard, is more abundant with yin (negative) energy. People who have lower yang (positive) energy might not be able to bear the abundant yin energy and might be negatively affected.
Even people who visit the graves will do so early in the morning when there is more yang (positive) energy. Many people wear protective accessories, such as Buddha pendants and peach wood charms, to avoid the effects of negative energy.
At the cemetery, people clean the graves and make offerings of incense, food and light to the ancestors. The details of the offerings vary by provinces and clans.
Family ancestors are important because without them, we would not be here today. They also watch our backs and protect the family. Furthermore, only when the ancestors are well and happy in the other world can the family on Earth live a happy and fortunate life. Thus, many people light candles to send illumination to the ancestors and chant to send their best wishes and gratitude to them.
The Qingming Festival is a time to commemorate, remember and revere our ancestors. When we make a light offering in front of Buddha during the Qingming Festival, it will bring immense benefits for our ancestors, ourselves and our descendants.
Short Video from Grandmaster JinBodhi’s Facebook Page:
Qingming Ancestral Worship – Remembrance and Gratitude