Report

Culture is considered to be something that defines a particular group. Culture can also be referred to as a characteristic to that particular group. Culture is a powerful human tool for survival and is always changing and easily lost because it exists only in the minds of people who believes in it. In spite of changes that have taken over the centuries, Chinese culture remains to be the most enduring ones. It had retained an unbroken culture of the years and this is mainly due to the fact of an important characteristic of the Chinese religion which is Practical Wisdom. (Lee, 1986) Chinese culture is also one of the world’s oldest cultures that had developed over the years. It is difficult to give a clear definition of Chinese Religion is, if by this we mean a single traditional one. (XinZhong&YanXia, 2010). It is also quite difficult to address the number of Chinese Religion. However, there are three more dominant that is well known throughout the world due to its popular teaching and beliefs which are Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Note that, most Chinese religion is not an organized, unified system of beliefs and practices. It has no leadership, headquarters, or founder too. Instead Chinese religion is a term describing philosophical traditions and teachings that have been very influential in China. Most of the Chinese people consist of some combination of beliefs and practices from the three religion. It is rare for only one religion to be practiced while the others are ignored. Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are treated in their own sections on religion facts. Firstly, Buddhism, being bought into China only two thousand years ago, was gradually widely accepted by most of the Chinese people. Previous dominating religion, Confucius and Taoism, have molded Chinese culture only in so far as human conduct in this world (Lee, 1986), however, Buddhism opens up more of the minds of the Chinese people and gradually became even more popular over the years. It is then developed into three section named as the Han, Tibetan and Southern Buddhism. Buddhism not only brought in a different religion into China, but also many other different culture. Buddhism mainly influences the local culture on three main aspects which are literature, art and ideology. Furthermore, although stated earlier many Chinese religion are mostly believes, Confucianism is considered to be a real religion. It is just an ethical and philosophical system, which is developed from Confucius’ thoughts and later was treated as a kind of belief to educate the common people. It obtained its stable position under the reign of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD), and became the ideology of the society in the feudal system. Based on Four Books and Five Classics, the principles in the Confucianism played an important role in the formation of Chinese people’s thinking way and teaching method. Other then that, Confucianism has worldwide influence. In many countries and regions of world such as United Kingdom, United State of America. Branches of Confucius Institutes are established in recent years to spread Chinese culture and expand the language. (Cheu, 2012) Lastly is the Taoism. “Taoism is the most complicated of Chinese religion, mainly because it is multi-faceted, varied and diffuse, but also because its many strands are themselves complex with origins that are obscure.” (Jeaneane&Merv, 2008) Taoism contains many profound theories. In general, these theories reflect Taoism as a balanced relationship between human beings and nature. The most basic concept of this religion is Tao. Originally, Tao refers to the road extending in one direction, roads that having many pathways. Taoism with more than 1,800 years’ history originated in the Warring and came into being in Eastern Han Dynasty (25-

220). It influenced the local culture deeply, especially on the traditional medicine and also literature.

All in all, these religions in return had made an impact on our daily lives especially today. Our language, building and other man-made things are merely the product of culture. Even more, art and decoration are central to Chinese culture, from elaborate palaces and gardens, to fine silk painting, paper cutting, and beautiful writing. Poems and literatures also play a huge role as it describes how artist back then and how much religion is important to them. Each of these were skills are honored and sharpened throughout the decades due to the influence of culture. These skills and ability has been increasingly more significant as they are important to obtain certain achievement in a religious point of view: to show the love for the religion, to teach the community why we should grasp religion and make it our daily routine. If one were to ask how all these religion and culture started, it would be like most primitive people in ancient times, with the worshipping of Nature and the unknown powers that surrounds them. These worshipping developed into teachings through philosophers and became common practice to the community although many would not consider these teachings a formal religion. As stated earlier, they believe all teachings were significant and many would never just believe on one philosopher. According to Lee (1986), “Until the coming of Buddhism in the second century A.D., which gave the Chinese spiritual food and comfort, the Chinese had limited spiritual satisfaction from the worship of departed ancestors.” This is true as people who worship to appease the unknown force back then did not know much. As if writing on a black paper with black pen. It is until the coming of religion that made clear of what they were worshiping. As of then, many were very much more into religion and the spiritual being which then formed more culture. It became more of a part of life than an empty daily routine.

“If you believe it, it is there; if you do not believe it, it is not there.” (Lee, 1986) That is one of the Chinese philosophy in life meaning something can only be true if one were to believe it is true. Chinese religion worshiping often appeases to nature as it is said being one with nature can bring one at peace. Therefore, prayers conducted at home has the purpose to protect life and the property, peace and harmony in the home environment, give prosperity, salvation to sins committed and to attain virtue. Many would agree that reasons like this are common which is true. However, praying in a temple would have a different purpose. Temple prayers on a normal day would usually mean praying for the community and the whole vicinity. (Lee, 1986) Of course all the prayers done needs materials to be used and each material has its own purpose.

To find out more about this trade, we decided to go to Klang and interview people who are already familiar with these business. As we all know, not many businessman or businesswoman would opt for this kind of business as this trade does not provide much variety in terms of customer and how much one can be innovative with the business. However, this shop does still exist here and there to cater for the community especially the Chinese community here in Malaysia. What we would like to find out is more about this trade and why the people in this business are doing what they are doing.

The first shop we interviewed is a shop called Soon Poh Sdn Bhd. We hit a jackpot as this shop has been on business for over 70 years; 68 years to be exact. A business like this meant that it knows its place amongst the other shops and how the business is doing. It also means the shop might have opt to open another branch so we asked the manager, who prefers to remain anonymous, and we found out that his business has already opened six other different branch all around Klang. The manager also stated that he took over the shop from his father who came from China to Malaysia because of the migration, believed that opening this business would be prosperous to his family and himself. He would probably pass it down to his younger generations and hopefully they too will carry on what his father had started. The other shop that we interviewed from Klang is Thin Seng Sdn Bhd and shops from Subang are Fatt Yew Yan Sdn Bhd and Seng Hin Sdn Bhd. All three of those shops has already been in business for about 30 years. What can be simplified from these shops are that they are all from family businesses and do not plan to open another franchise as their offspring are not interested in continuing the business. Stocks came mostly from overseas specifically Vietnam, Myanmar and China. As we all know the Chinese culture has many other dialects and all of them practice a different religion. Therefore, all the shops that we interviewed stated that they have everything to cater for the other practices even if it is not a common practice. Examples would be the type of joss stick, incense burner, Statues of different God, hell notes for the deceased and other prayers material. Throughout the interview, all question that was proposed to them were very similar to one another.

The products sold were all similar to each other being the first shop we interviewed an exception because it is has a bigger customer base and needs to cater for the other practices too. Customers are mostly elderly men or women who are still strongly tied with spiritual affairs. It is not surprising as people back then were very into the religion practices. Youngsters are generally not interested in this trade because of society today being very modern and influenced by the western side. Hence, the shops of this trade rely heavily on the people who still practice this religion mainly the elder society. Interestingly also, businesses like this will never promote their products as it is discouraged for doing so. According to one of the owner, praying materials are usually self explanatory therefore advertising would be very out of the ordinary. Any customer that wishes to purchase or wants to find out more can simply just ask the owner of the shop for details regarding it. The materials obtained are directly transported from the factory where it was produced. There is no middle man as the products are not imported in a extremely huge amount and the products does not have a specific expiry date and can last quite long. The shop acts as the middle person towards the users as obtaining the materials personally is difficult. In terms of how technology is affecting this kind of business really depends on how the manager looks at it. Most of them safely said that technology is actually helping them a lot indirectly. Such as placing air conditioner to cool the environment as the incense sometimes can get a little strong. However, there was one manager, who prefers to remain anonymous too, stated that “technology is actually affecting his business a lot mainly because technology is actually distracting youngsters from their spiritual life which is to obtain a spiritual balance with nature. As technology grows, the practice of religion especially a religion that needs dedication will be gone.” Besides that, another question was also presented to the shopkeepers on how would they see their business in the coming years and how will it grow. Briefly summarizing all four of the shopkeepers answer, all of them stated that in the coming years,

business would be tough as the traditional practice would not be a common thing if the youngsters today continue to ignore it. They hope one that the Chinese religion will carry on no matter how much technology grows and that people like themselves and anyone who depend on the people’s beliefs will still prosper. Peak time when business will usually bloom is during the Chinese festive seasons where people would pray to the surroundings and the Gods as a thank you note and to celebrate the purpose to that holiday. Festivals like this that require lots of praying material as a tribute to the Gods are the Chinese New Year festival, ‘QingMing’ festival and the Ghost festivals. Prayers on the Chinese New Year are mostly a tribute the Gods and pray for another prosperous year ahead. Nothing much can be said about it as it is very self explanatory. QingMing means clear and bright and this festival is to indicate the beginning of Spring. The Chinese also visits their ancestors grave to clean the grave and to give some offering to the ancestors too. (Shanghaifinance, nd) Lastly would be the Ghost festival that requires plenty of material. Hungry Ghost festival is a festival believed by the Chinese culture that the gates of hell will be opened for a month for souls wander. These souls comes from souls that was neglected by families and became lost hence, these spirits are called the wandering ghost. To keep yourself and your family safe, one must make offerings to the spirits in order to make peace with any provoking spirits. Offerings made not only pays homage to ancestors but

also to any wondering spirits between worlds, as believed. (JourneyMalaysia, nd)

After conducting the research and interviews, we realized how important this business trade was and how much they rely on the young generation to continue the teachings of their ancestor. Chinese religion teaches man not only to establish oneself but also help to establish others as the tendency of the world today is to establish oneself at the expense of others which is to live in community with others as the world today tends to favor and practice the phrase “every man for himself” and use it as the way of life. (Cheu, 2000). Additionally, in the words of Professor Creel (1973), “most important of all, it was insisted that men are essentially equal, without regard to birth or rank, and they therefore have equal rights to political office.” With the stated facts and support, it is safe to say that the Chinese religion has a dominant way through its wisdom amongst the world. However, it is not to be confused as all religion aims for the same goal, and that is the good end for every follower of every religion, although the routes may be different. (Lee, 1986)

Appendix

Jeaneane D. Fowler, Mery Fowler (2008). Chinese Religion: Beliefs and Practices. Great Britain: Sussex Academic Press.

Xinzhong Yao, Yanxia Yao (2010). Chinese Religion: A Contextual Approach. New York, NY: Continuum International Publishing Group.

Siow Mong, Lee, (1986) Spectrum of Chinese Culture. Selangor Darul Ehsan, Kelana Jaya: Pelanduk Publications Sdn Bhd. pg. 4 - 10

Siow Mong, Lee, (1986) Spectrum of Chinese Culture. Selangor Darul Ehsan, Kelana Jaya: Pelanduk Publications Sdn Bhd. pg. 122 - 123

Hock-Tong, Cheu (2000) Confucianism in Chinese Culture. Subang Jaya, Pelanduk Publications Sdn Bhd. pg. 147.

H.G. Creel, (1973) Confucianism and Western Democracy. Taipei. Pg 31.

Shanghaifincance, (nd) Chinese festives, http://www.shanghaifinance.com/festival/chinesefestival.php. Accessed 23nd January 2013

JourneyMalaysia (nd) Hungry Ghost festival. http://www.journeymalaysia.com/MCUL_ghost.htm . Accessed 23th Janurary 2013

Appendix

1st shop SYARIKAT PERNIAGAAN SOON POH SDN BHD Location: Klang

2nd ShopSYARIKAT PERNIAGAAN THIN SENGLocation: Klang

3rd shopBARANG BARANG SEMBAYANG FATT YEW YANLocation: Subang Jaya SS14