Should burning of incense papers be banned in HDB

[tankee]

Some town councils provide big wired mash cage for Chinese Funeral to burn incense papers & the paper house, car, etc.


I wonder why they don't set these up duing the 7th lunar month :?

[DTJ]

3Boys:

Although I do not observe the 7th Month, and the burning of joss paper does inconvenience my family with smoke and ash, I believe there is a need for 'common space' in terms of observance of faiths and beliefs, so I voted that we should not ban it. It is for a limited time every year after all.

I agree totally.

What makes Singapore unique is our religious & racial tolerance... and while i do not practise the burning of joss paper myself, i respect the space of others and hence am fine with it (btw i'm asthmatic too & I usually shut my windows when i can't take it). As this usually happen only twice a month (and of course more during the 7th month), I am okay with it. It is not as if it is burning throughout the day, 7 days a week 365 days in a year... so i think I can tolerate it... No need for a ban.

[Kissgurami]

The burning of incense paper seems a little trivial to constitute for a ban especially when it is for a religious beliefs and only for a month.


If the smoke does bother you, you could highlight to your MP (just a suggestion ) and see what they can do better to reduce the smoke or pre-arrange a dedicate space where households aren't affected.

I don't like the smell of burning joss papers and my neighbour does it twice a month and the ashes does get in my house. I just get on and mop my house since I doubt she does it intentionally. Same thing with the 7th Month, people believes strongly in making sure they are conducting the correct rituals that they might let slip of how it is impacting others so for that.

If such bans do get implemented, one after another will get implemented as there will always be something to be griped about. Getais -> noise pollution? etc and we will lose that touch of racial harmony and tolerance.

[Nebbermind]

puff:

The bin that the town council provided for burning incense paper is located too near the flats n windows of residents , hence will still have ash n smoke flying into ppl house. They should build those that is use in temple similar to a fireplace that will trap most of the ash to the base...

long ago, my ns camp got this 'fireplace' coz it was converted from a few blks of 1-rm flats. and we use to burn outdated documents in it...*LOL*

[Funz]

I don’t think it will be banned due to religious sensitivity. But it can be better managed.


Like what someone suggested, designate a ‘burn’ area. In private estates, there will be a designated area for devotees to burn their offerings. They do not allow those small bins that a lot of hdb dwellers will use to burn their own offerings at their door step. HDB could adopt some of these practices.

I remember seeing a tiled up area for burning incense paper at my ILs estate intead of those bins which people can move around. I think those are better but should be located a bit further away.

[dovetail]

3Boys:

puff:

The bin that the town council provided for burning incense paper is located too near the flats n windows of residents , hence will still have ash n smoke flying into ppl house. They should build those that is use in temple similar to a fireplace that will trap most of the ash to the base...

Yes, a good idea. Wonder how easy to implement though, worth a look.

The problem is ensuring that people use the solution that is implemented. It is easy to set up some solution but enforcing requires resources, rules and punishments, very painful. I think a national campaign to educate the incense paper burner is better. They can do so more in Chinese newspaper and TV channels every Hungry Ghost Month. Also get the cooperation of all Toaist temples to tell the devotees to be considerate.

I'm a free thinker and I respect all religious believes and practices but I think at the bottom line people must be considerate, isn't that a way for religious harmony as well.

[Strparent]

DTJ:

3Boys:

Although I do not observe the 7th Month, and the burning of joss paper does inconvenience my family with smoke and ash, I believe there is a need for 'common space' in terms of observance of faiths and beliefs, so I voted that we should not ban it. It is for a limited time every year after all.

I agree totally.

What makes Singapore unique is our religious & racial tolerance... and while i do not practise the burning of joss paper myself, i respect the space of others and hence am fine with it (btw i'm asthmatic too & I usually shut my windows when i can't take it). As this usually happen only twice a month (and of course more during the 7th month), I am okay with it. It is not as if it is burning throughout the day, 7 days a week 365 days in a year... so i think I can tolerate it... No need for a ban.

3boys, DTJ :celebrate: :hi5:

I agree as well. We do not burn any incense or chant or pray or whatever, but we have to respect other beliefs and faith. I am actually kind of surprised that people even thought of a ban.

My neighbour burns joss-sticks and incense twice a month. My kids dont like it, but they are tolerant to it, and they understand when I explain to them the different ways people do or view the world.

We need to be good neighbours as well, no ?

[LOLMum]

believe the original post is more of a health concern and not something else.

[3Boys]

LOLMum:

believe the original post is more of a health concern and not something else.

Yah agreed, I don't think he meant harm, certainly the concern was health related.

[Oppsgal]

3Boys:

Although I do not observe the 7th Month, and the burning of joss paper does inconvenience my family with smoke and ash, I believe there is a need for 'common space' in terms of observance of faiths and beliefs, so I voted that we should not ban it. It is for a limited time every year after all.

seems to every few months also got to burn joss paper... not only during 7th month.