The Chinese community celebrates ‘Cheng Beng’ (or ‘Qing Ming’, 清明节) today, a custom when people pay tribute to their ancestors through food offerings and by ‘sweeping tombs’.  This tradition which originated over two thousand years ago in China, coincides with the beginning of spring when the sun shines brightly; the words ‘Cheng Beng’ means “pure brightness”.

In the Buddhist scriptures, the Buddha taught that our duties towards parents and relatives do not end with their death, as we should continue to honour them by performing meritorious and noble deeds.  We then dedicate the merits of these good deeds to them by reciting “Idam me ñātinam hotu, sukhitā hontu ñātayo.” – “Let this merit accrue to my departed relatives; may they be happy!”.

Let us always bear gratitude to those who are no longer with us through recollecting their sacrifices and contributions.  May your  cultivation in the Dhamma lead to a more meaningful life and bear three-fold benefits; to yourself, the receiver and your departed relatives. Sukhi hontu.