YBAM Statement on Prayer to Ancestors

YBAM had in March 2009 reverted to Taoist Association of Malaysia’s viewpoint of “The Chinese who pray to their ancestors are Taoists as the other religions merely pay respect to their ancestors instead of praying.” YBAM emphasized that praying is not an exclusive tradition of Taoists as Buddhists also pray to their ancestors.

The Immediate Past President of the Taoist Association of Malaysia, Mr. Chen Wen Cheng earlier stated that “Those who pray to their ancestors are Taoists, as other religions will only pay respect to their ancestors but not do prayer for them.” He further called on the public to recognize their identity as Taoists based on this rationale.

YBAM does not agree with such statement. Prayer to the ancestors is not exclusive to Taoist tradition; as Buddhist too, can pray to their ancestors. In other words, one who prays to ancestors could also be Buddhist.

Many Buddhist temples set up the memorial hall for storage of urns so that the Buddhist families could pray to their deceased relatives. Besides, many Chinese who set up the ancestor tablet at home also revere to the Buddha’s statue and Kuan Yin statue. Therefore, it is very misleading to state that ancestor prayers are Taoists.

YBAM opines that religious belief is the choice of every individual and no organizations should simply judge the others’ religious belief with superficial definition.