29A-29B-2000 19032000

(D) Early Chinese practiced cremation, not burial.

1. Xian Sheng was referring to a newspaper article published the day before, in which Ong Ka Ting, the then Minister of Housing and Local Government, praised Nirvana Memorial Park.
2. He questioned the credibility of the minister in the Malaysian government, stating that he failed to understand the minister’s motive in praising Nirvana for preserving the so-called Chinese traditional practices.
3. Xian Sheng gave a heavy sigh of disappointment before proceeding to state that Nirvana had obtained ISO 9002, a quality management system standard certification, in 1998.
4. He remarked that Minister Ong Ka Ting’s ‘good’ praises are more targeted for Nirvana’s affluent shareholders, considering the high costs involved. A small single plot (roughly 4 x 7 feet) costs RM20,000, while a double plot costs RM40,000. Hence, it would certainly be ‘good’ for the wealthy capitalists. However, the ‘bad’ is borne by those who are buried there.
5. Xian Sheng explained that the ‘bad’ stems from their selfishness, as their money is tied to a small plot of land hosting their corpses. He added that their money would be better utilised if they donated RM20,000 to old folks’ homes and RM20,000 to orphanages. It would be far better for them to donate their money than to use it to buy a small plot of land to bury their own corpse.
6. Xian Sheng reiterated that the ‘good’ which the minister claimed is only for the rich and Nirvana Asia Group, the company operating the business. He asked the followers to refer to the recent newspaper regarding what Ong Ka Ting said.
7. Xian Sheng commented on the minister’s sense of priority regarding what’s good and bad. He stated that if he were the minister, he would encourage the Chinese to opt for cremation instead of wasting their money on those schemes.
8. The scattering of ashes into the sea is part of most cremation ceremonies. Xian Sheng added that the sea currents would scatter the ashes to all four corners of the world, as in the popular Chinese phrase, “四海為家”¹ or “the four seas are home.” This would mean that the deceased is not confined to a small plot of land where their body is buried, but the whole world is now their home. They seem to have forgotten about this phrase. Cremation and the scattering of ashes into the seas, 四海為家, is the better way.
9. From a medical viewpoint, any diseases carried by the deceased would be incinerated along with the body. Whether it’s AIDS, cancer, or any deadly disease, fire would burn away all the dangerous pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
10. On the other hand, when it comes to ground burials, heavy rain could flood the coffins, and the pathogens in the corpses could be carried along with the flow of the water. Xian Sheng asked whether it is possible for the water to carry the pathogens to the living.
11. The depth of 6 feet for the coffin is not very deep. Xian Sheng used homophones to describe the ground burial of 6 feet as “唔係好深,” meaning not very deep, and also “唔好心,” meaning not good at heart. He smiled as he explained the end result was not good, as dangerous pathogens could be carried along with the flow of water to the outside world.
12. A person who died from a deadly pathogen but refuses to be cremated is far worse than not having a good heart because they would rather leave the disease to the living than choose cremation.
13. Xian Sheng asked the followers to ponder over the minister’s actions in supporting such capitalistic practices.
14. He reiterated that if he were a minister, he would neither support them nor declare that he does not support them. Even if he does support them, he would not publicly declare his stance. The reason is that it should be up to the public to decide.
15. However, the best stand for a minister should be to state that cremation is preferable. From a medical standpoint, any pathogens in the corpse would be eradicated by the fire. From a traditional cultural viewpoint, the ashes would be scattered to the seas, making all four corners of the world their home.
16. Xian Sheng had discussed with some followers since 6.00 am this morning the topic of Nirvana Memorial Park and Ong Ka Ting extending his support to them, citing the preservation of Chinese cultural practices.
17. Xian Sheng shared with followers that the early Chinese people cremated their dead instead of burying them. However, subsequent generations of Chinese have forgotten about their early ancestors’ ways.
18. Nevertheless, Xian Sheng emphasised that cremation is the best method. We do not want the living grabbing up lands to reserve for the dead, nor the dead depriving the living of lands.
19. Land should be used by the living. What do the dead need with lands anyway? If the dead cannot take their monetary assets with them in death, taking land would be completely out of the question as land is an immovable asset. Hence, cremation would be the best choice.
20. Instead, the minister got involved to lend his support to Nirvana. Xian Sheng sarcastically told Bro Tan that Nirvana should obtain more ISO certification to be the best so that all the rich capitalists can buy plots of land to be buried there. However, do not charge them RM20,000 a plot but charge them higher, preferably RM40,000 a plot.
21. On a different subject, MCA boasted that they led the Chinese community to donate blood and organs upon death. Xian Sheng clarified that it was the Baitiangong Universal Spiritual Movement that led the Chinese to first donate blood and eye cornea. Please refer to the year 1979 under the History of BUSM
22. Xian Sheng asked if anyone recalls whether the Chinese community ever spoke about donating blood before 1979. It was the Baitiangong Spiritual Movement that took the lead in 1979 when Xian Sheng led 43 followers to a blood donation drive at KL General Hospital. This event appeared in the local newspaper as well.
23. When MCA saw Baitiangong followers donating blood, they were compelled by their conscience to follow suit and started to organise blood donation campaigns with full media coverage.
24. Xian Sheng stated that when we donate blood, we do not need the publicity or coverage by the news media. What is important, according to him, is, “你知我知天知地知” or You know, I know, Heaven knows, Hell knows.
25. One of the advantages of Baitiangong lies in our way of obsequies. Xian Sheng reassured the followers that no organisations in the world conduct funerals similar to the Baitiangong way of obsequies.
26. Xian Sheng asked if any followers had read or knew of any funeral ways similar to Baitiangong’s way. He added that the Baitiangong way of obsequies is the most reasonable and most logical.
27. Xian Sheng asked the question of what we can do for a deceased person. Pray to them? This is a useless action. Give them food to eat? They cannot consume physical food. Burning offerings of Hell money is actually cheating them as they cannot receive or use them.
28. We inform everyone attending the obsequies, regardless of whether they are millionaires or hold honourary titles such as Datuk, Tan Sri, or Tun, to kneel down and pray for the deceased if they want to pay their respects.
29. We request all those who attend to take turns to kneel and pray for the deceased so that we can maintain a continuous and unbroken stream of prayers to request the CREATOR to forgive, pardon, and lessen the sins of the deceased, and if they are deserving, to grant them a good place in Heaven.
30. Xian Sheng asked who would pray for the deceased in such a manner as the Baitiangong brothers and sisters do on behalf of the deceased. Furthermore, we do not only do it once during the obsequies, as the deceased’s family members would continue to pray twice daily for all the saints and their ancestors for the rest of their lives. Xian Sheng adamantly stated that Baitiangong is the least selfish of all.