Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
vices. Every year on Remembrance Day (11 November), they hold a ceremony for the souls
of the victims of the two World Wars and the Japanese invasion. Buddhist funerals are dig-
nified affairs that can be quite elaborate, with some ceremonies lasting 49 days - the time it
purportedly takes an average soul to find the conditions for its rebirth. Prayers are chanted
every seven days to help the soul find rebirth in a higher realm ('happy human' versus
'cockroach', for instance). On the seventh day, souls are believed to revisit their homes.
Everyone in the family stays in their room to avoid crossing paths with the loved one.
It's Official
In 1997 the government made a day in May or June a public holiday to mark the birthday of
the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, replacing the Queen's Birthday. Followers gather at
temples where they douse statues of Buddha with water, an act that signifies purification of
one's soul. They also eat green cookies made with the bitter Indian pluchea herb, as eating
them represents passing through prickles to better pastures.
Taoism
Taoism is an indigenous Chinese religion over 2000 years old. Though never declared a na-
tional faith, its presence is ubiquitous in most aspects of Chinese life. Unlike evangelical re-
ligions stressing crusading and personal conversion, Taoism simply offers its services,
whether it's treatment for illness or protection from evil spirits, to everyone within its locale.
Some 80% of funeral rites in Hong Kong are presided over by Taoist priests. These are
noisy affairs with cymbals and suona, a Chinese reed instrument. Some have elaborate
rituals featuring props from coins to flaming swords that are meant to ensure the soul
lets go of its worldly relationships.
Liturgical Function
The Hong Kong horse-racing season, and all construction and filming projects, are preceded
by Taoist rituals to appease the nature deities and ensure good feng shui. Necromancy,
which strives for harmony between humanity and nature, is a practice influenced by Taoism.
During the first two weeks of the Lunar New Year, millions of all creeds and faiths pay their
respects at Taoist temples. Taoist priests preside over the majority of funeral rites in Hong
Kong.
