Despite moves by various governments to limit joss paper burning, the practice continues unabated. Terence Heng asks if it is possible to find a compromise between respecting religious and cultural traditions and addressing social and environmental concerns.
New: You can now listen to articles.SINGAPORE: I do not envy the Alliance for Action on Norms for Joss Paper Burning , whose mission is to “forge a consensus within the Chinese community on desired norms for the traditional custom of joss paper burning”.
There was also a practical element to this. Burning joss paper seemed to create issues like fires that the local authorities had to put out, but I am unsure if reducing cultural practices to acts of superstition is the best way to tackle an environmental problem. In other words, the act of burning joss paper for some individuals remains central to their identity.
The issue is not just about smell or discomfort. Studies in air pollution show that such smoke is a growing concern in public health. In other words, it is not just about an inconvenient smell, but also a contributing factor to the health of the living. File photo. Smoke and ash fill the air during the burning of joss paper offerings during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Hard approaches, like outright bans on selling or burning joss paper, alongside reductionist terms like “superstition” will never work, and only serve to harden the position of adherents to see the act of burning as a core part of their religious and cultural identity.
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