The Burning Bush Vol 9 No 2.pmd - Far Eastern Bible College

FILIAL PIETY AND BURIAL CUSTOMS
The non-Christian Chinese also see the performing of these rites as their
final farewell and obligation to the deceased. They wish for the deceased
to have a happy life in the next world, and hence, they will perform the
rites. The ceremony, therefore, is very important to them.
The Chinese Christian had better have a correct understanding of
Chinese rituals and their significance so that they can deal with these
issues wisely from a biblical standpoint. Oftentimes, Chinese Christians
compromise their faith by participating in the funeral rites. One of the
reasons could be a lack of biblical instruction on this matter. Others may
compromise because they do not think that participation in these rituals is
wrong for a Christian. There are others who are pressurised to perform
the rituals by their family and relatives.
The loss of a loved one is a very emotional experience. We have to
be prepared for it and even be prepared to counsel church members before
the event. Not to do so would be detrimental to our Christian faith and
testimony. We are to do all things to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).
The Significance of Filial Piety and Burial Customs
Filial piety is one of the virtues of man. Chinese culture places a
great deal of emphasis on this matter. To the Chinese, filial piety is a
religious or quasi-religious practice. It is said, “The Chinese family is the
crux of society, so the family is the orbit around which religion revolves,
ancestor veneration is the centre of that family religion.” 3 Even in death,
the ancestors’ spirits are regularly acknowledged by the living. Family
members will show their respect to the dead by “performing rituals and
other spoken tributes, leaving gifts or sending them off by burning paper
and other materials. Ancestors, if not worshipped, are at least highly
revered.” 4
It has been said that there are three ways in which a son can show
his filial piety to his parents:
Feed them while they live, mourn for them when they die, and offer
sacrifice to them after they die. In feeding, the important thing is
obedience; in mourning, it is the sadness; and in sacrifice, the respect.
When one has done these three, one can rightly be called a filial son. 5
Failure to perform these rituals only constitutes a lack of respect for the
deceased. One of Confucius’ followers, Hsun Tzu, explained that such
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