CHENG BENG 2015 [CHINESE ALL SOULS DAY]

Again is Chinese All Souls Day [Cheng Beng in Hokkien] today [5/4/15].  Before today, the family had visited the older graves of our ancestors a week ahead.  Today, the family went to Relau Sepuluh Kongsi Cemetery to offer prayers to our most recent departed loved ones.  My Papa and youngest brother.  Papa passed away on 24 October 2011 and Roddy passed away on 25/12/13.  It a great blow to our family loosing 2 great gentlemen of the family within 2 years.  We missed them so much.

This year, I didn't take many photos but instead video taped this occasion. 

Here are the videos of the family offering prayers to my Papa and Roddy.

AT PAPA'S GRAVE YARD

AT RODDY'S GRAVE YARD

REST IN PEACE

PAPA & RODDY

MISSED YOU VERY MUCH

3 Years Without My Papa

Time flies, 3 years ago this day [28th day of 9th lunar month - 24 October 2011], Papa left us after a brief sickness [skin allergy] that no one would think it is life threatening.  But it did take away my Papa from us forever to netherworld.  Anyway, we accept his passing for old age reason but difficult to accept the loss.

Eventhough it is already 3 years but the memories of him still lingers strongly among the family members.  Without him, our lives are somehow different or otherwise. For me is a sudden lost of someone closed whom I can confess or share my thoughts, problems and success with.  I seriously missed his valuable advices on any matters.

 

Today, we prepared lots of food as offerings to him ranging from some traditional dishes like curry chicken, lor bak, stir fried bangkwan, pig tripe soup, mixed cauliflower dish to seng lay [boiled chicken/pork belly], mooncakes, kuihs, buns and fruits.  Of course,  paper money for him to spend in the netherworld.

 

 

 

REST IN PEACE

PAPA

We always love and deeply missed you

now and forever.

Bian Kee 2013 [Birthday] Prayers

Bian Kee, celebrating the birthday of a person after death. According to tradition, it is considered a must have ritual to remember this day for 3 consecutive years after one's passing. Today is my Papa's 3rd Bian Kee since his passing on 24 October 2011.  We have been 'celebrating' this ocassion with offering of various foods and prayers on 18th day of eleventh lunar month [that was his birthday].

On this day's prayers certain food is a must have to be offered:

1.  The steamed buns must be in blue colour for a male and yellow for a female.

2.  Birthday noodles or mee sua

3.  Red eggs

4.  A cake

5.  No candles or joss papers to be burnt

6.  Any choice of the various food that are served on birthdays [not those offered during death anniversaries]

This would be the last time we have to 'celebrate' and offer prayers on this day as it is already a third one after his passing.  Of course, different families celebrate this day according to their own preference but basically it is in such a manner.   It's like celebrating one's birthday without the presence of the person. Some don't even bother to do this as they believe, there is nothing left after one's passing.  But to us, we are taking it as an occassion or opportunity to remember our loved one who has passed on and for the living [family members] to gather.

Usually on such occasions,  we will ask if he is happy with all the offerings but on this day, I tried many times throwing the coins and never did get a head and tail side of the coins that signifies that he is pleased.  I sensed sometime could be wrong but just didn't know what could be wrong.  Never did we expect that perhaps he knows that we will lose a relative soon that was his youngest son, my youngest brother, Roddy just 5 days after this Bian Kee.  I think he must be very sad too, yet couldn't help it.

My Pa's 2nd Anniversary [ 己 日]

Time flies, today corresponds to the 28th day of the 9th lunar calendar month.  Two years have passed, I can still remember this day when I just came back from Taiwan.  I was in time to see my Pa for the very last time, not knowing that it was the last I got to see him.  Didn't expect that he will leave me so soon, only 2 hours after seeing him.  I have to believe that he had waited for me to be back from my 2 weeks holidays.

Today, the family made offerings to him in the family home with assortment of food and joss papers.  Believe it or not, I did receive a 'windfall' courtesy from my Pa on the eve of this anniversary.  Thanks to my dear Papa.

Pa we love you and will miss you always and forever.  Hope you rest in peace.

 

 

 

CHENG BENG 2013 [My PAPA'S GRAVE]

This year is the second consecutive year we went for Cheng Beng at my beloved Papa's grave on actual Cheng Beng day.  It is a practice that we must go on this day for 3 years after his passing.  

The top of the grave were covered with yellow/white papers on one side [supposed to be the side my Papa's remains laid] and the other side with red papers signifying my Papa's other half is still alive.

As usual, the children, grandchildren, daughter in-laws and whoever related will visit the cemetery to offer food, joss papers and prayers at the grave.  This year, we didn't pray for longer time cos' the weather wasn't that good.  It was drizzling at certain times.  

My late Papa must be very happy that his children and grandchildren have gathered at his grave side.  We missed his a lot.

We burnt a lot of paper money, joss papers and even a car for my Papa cos' my sister in-law had dreamed that my Papa hadn't enough money to spend at the Nether world.   We wanted and hoped that my Papa will live comfortably there, so we will do as much as possible for him.   Hopefully, he will be able to receive everything that we have given to him.

Another important deity we have to pray to is of course the Thor Thee Kong or Tua Peh Kong at my Papa's grave side.  This deity is said to be the one responsible to look after my Papa, to bring his soul to the graveside  for Cheng Beng prayers and also to accompany him back to the Nether world after the prayers were over.   Offerings are like 'Seng Lay' , kuihs and joss papers etc.

REST IN PEACE
PAPA