Sending off the old and ushering in the New Year, reminiscing ancestors and one’s legacy. The Chinese New Year’s Eve is a day that marks the end of the old year and ushers in the new, and it’s an important day for family reunions reminiscing about our ancestors. This traditional concept corresponds to the teachings of filial piety that Buddhism attaches great importance to.

Setting up memorial tablets and perform chanting for the transfer of merits to late parents and ancestors is a sincere offering, which is good for both the living and the departed.

To fulfil devotees’ filial piety and gratitude towards ancestors, Sau Seng Lum Buddhist Temple specially organized the ancestor worship on Chinese New Year’s eve. On Chinese New Year’s eve, let us remember and thank our deceased relatives and ancestors for their dedication and contributions. Let us pray for them to be free from suffering and reborn with a good life. At the same time, may everyone be filled with blessings, happiness, peace, health, and auspiciousness in the New Year.

According to the Abbess, Rev. Chang Heng, in many Buddhist scriptures such as “The Sutra On The Profound Kindness Of Parents And The Difficulties In Repaying Them”, “Sutra of The Yulan Bowl Spoken By The Buddha”, “The Great Vows Of The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva” and so on had mentioned that filial piety should be the first thing to do in life. Not only should you be filial to your parents in this life, but also parents of the past life. Therefore, by worshipping ancestors and performing chanting for the late parents and ancestors, the merits and virtues are most meritorious.

In preventing the spread of coronavirus, Sau Seng Lum Buddhist Temple was closed to the public on New Year’s Eve. The worship ritual was performed by the temple on their behalf, and the chanting was performed by monks for the transfer of merits.