An effigy of the King of Hades is lit alongside the paper boat after final prayers. — Photos: KT GOH/The Star
THE Sian Chye Tong Temple was all abuzz as people gathered to express gratitude towards their departed ancestors and loved ones during the temple’s annual Cheow Thor (Filial Piety) celebration.
After final prayers, attention turned to a huge ship known as Say Hong Chun that was created using over 6,000 pieces of ong seng jee (folded joss papers with imprinted Buddhist scriptures).
Filled with paper tablets containing names of the dearly departed, the ship was then carted out to the main road where it was set alight as a send-off.
The temple’s youth section chairman Loh Choon Teik said that for over 20 years, the elaborate ship had been made in the shape of a dragon for the Cheow Thor event, which is part of the Hungry Ghost Festival.
The temple itself was founded almost 100 years ago in Hye Keat Estate in Air Itam, Penang.
“We believe we are the only temple to make such a boat for the ritual,” said Loh.
“After a day of prayers, the paper tablets are placed in the boat to be sent off together.
The boat was made by the temple from over 6,000 folded joss papers.
“The celebration, which culminates with the boat’s sending-off, is a symbolic act representing the Buddha’s effort to ferry the deceased to the Pure Land for repentance and rebirth,” he said after the celebration.
Over 100 people, comprising mostly devotees, turned up at the event.
Another important part of the celebration that night was the send-off given to the King of Hades (Tai Su Yeah in Hokkien), whose effigy was burnt alongside the boat.
Buddhists know this send-off as ullambana which means “deliverance” in Sanskrit.
In Chinese folklore, the Gate of Hell is believed to open in the seventh lunar month, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival month, or Phor Thor in Hokkien.
Spirits are said to visit the mortal world under the supervision of Tai Su Yeah and his minions during the Hungry Ghost Festival.
When the realms of heaven, hell and that of the living are believed to open on the 15th day of that month, Buddhists will perform rituals to transmute and absolve the sufferings of the deceased.
Activities during the month include preparing food offerings for rituals and burning incense and joss paper.
Also sent off in this way are paper models of material items such as clothes, gold and other fine goods that are regarded as gifts for the visiting spirits of the ancestors.
