(From left) The ‘Say Hong Chun’ and King of Hades effigy crafted by Sian Chye Tong temple youth members.
AN elaborate ship in the shape of a dragon will be burnt during the culmination of Sian Chye Tong temple’s Filial Piety Celebration (Cheow Thor) in Hye Keat Estate, Air Itam, Penang on Aug 24.
The ship, also known as Say Hong Chun, is made of over 6,000 folded ong seng jee (joss papers with imprinted sutras).
The temple’s youth section chairman Loh Choon Teik said the 1.5m by 4.8m ship was constructed by eight volunteers who had spent a month assembling the frame from bamboo and cardboard, and covering it with joss papers.
“These papers, imprinted with sutras and folded into various shapes such as lotus leaves, roof tiles, dragon scales, and flowers, are to emphasise the significance of the ong seng jee for added meaning.
“The temple has been constructing such joss paper ships for over 20 years.
“The earlier designs were simple and small, but with dedication and experience, the youths managed to create more elaborate and impressive ship designs over the years,” he added.
Loh said during the celebration, which started on Aug 2, paper tablets with the names of the deceased were placed in front of a beautifully decorated altar for daily offerings and chanting led by the temple’s religious advisor Ven Seck Zhen Cheng.
“On Aug 24, monks and nuns will conduct a special day-long chanting and prayer session before placing all the paper tablets into the ship for burning.
“This symbolic act represents Buddha’s effort to ferry the deceased to the ‘Pure Land’ for repentance and rebirth.
“Another significant part of the celebration is the creation of an effigy of the King of Hades (Tai Su Yeah in Hokkien), also crafted by the temple’s youth section using over 2,000 sheets of joss paper.
“Standing at 3.6m, the effigy, completed in two weeks by five youth members, will be burned alongside the Say Hong Chun, marking the end of the seventh lunar month festivities,” he said.
In Chinese folklore, the Gate of Hell will open during the seventh lunar month, which is also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival (Phor Thor in Hokkien) from Aug 4 to Sept 2, and spirits visit the mortal world under the supervision of Tai Su Yeah and his minions.
The temple will host a vegetarian buffet dinner on Aug 24 at its premises.
The buffet dinner is open to the public.
Those interested in participating in the Cheow Thor ritual for their deceased family members can also contact the temple (04-828 3296) or Linda (010-208 5593).
