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Qingming is both a solar term and a continuation of culture. Since Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty formally incorporated the Cold Food Festival and tomb-sweeping into state rituals, the Qingming Festival has endured for over a thousand years. Even while living abroad, Chinese communities continue to honor their roots and remember their ancestors, viewing ancestor veneration as a vital annual tradition.
On April 4, a persistent spring rain fell over Toronto as a sudden drop in temperature brought the slight chill characteristic of Qingming. Inside the Jing Si Hall of Tzu Chi Canada Eastern Office, however, the atmosphere was warm and solemn. Nearly fifty Tzu Chi volunteers from three districts had gathered to make final preparations for the ancestral memorial ceremony.
Paying Homage to the Buddha and Honoring Ancestors with Gratitude
With the emcee’s call of “Three bows to the Buddha,” the 2026 Eastern Canada Qingming ancestral ceremony officially began. Lighting incense, offering it, and presenting offerings, Executive Director Andersen Chu of Tzu Chi Canada Eastern Office led everyone in paying sincere respect to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and generations of ancestors.
Ancestral remembrance is not only about reflection, but also about gratitude. For immigrant families, in particular, the arduous efforts of their forebears paved the way for the stable lives their descendants now enjoy.
Attendees at the event ranged from elders in their eighties to teenagers, with multiple generations participating together. The ceremony offered every participant a moment for quiet reflection on their life’s journey.
When the Tzu Chi sign language musical adaptation of the classic “The Lamb Kneeling to Nurse” was played, many volunteers were moved to tears. The heartfelt emotion served as a reminder to all that filial piety should be practiced in a timely manner, and gratitude expressed in the present moment.
From Small Filial Acts to Great Compassion
Traditional ancestral rituals often involve burning joss paper and setting off firecrackers, which not only cause environmental pollution but also pose safety risks. Upholding the principle of environmental protection, Tzu Chi promotes a new approach to these rituals—replacing burning with fresh flowers and vegetarian offerings, and implementing recycling to practice “purity at the source.”
Dharma Master Cheng Yen also advocates that true filial piety lies in companionship and care for parents while they are still alive, rather than extravagant ceremonies. This philosophy makes Qingming not only a time for remembrance, but also a call to action.
During the event, participants devoutly bowed while chanting the “Preface to the Lotus Sutra,” dedicating the merits to their ancestors and loved ones with each prostration. For those living overseas who cannot return to their hometowns to sweep graves, the Jing Si Hall becomes an important place to anchor their remembrance.
Afterward, everyone sang “Prayer,” elevating their remembrance of ancestors into blessings for the world—praying for an end to war and the cessation of disasters. This act expands “small filial piety” into the “great filial piety” that cares for all living beings.
Nourishment for the Body, Warmth for the Soul
Tzu Chi events have always emphasized that “as the wheel of food turns, so does the dharma wheel.” Following the ceremony, volunteers lovingly prepared spring rolls and mugwort rice cakes to extend the warmth of the gathering.
The spring rolls were filled with a rich variety of over ten meticulously prepared ingredients, wrapped in a paper-thin skin for a refreshingly delicious taste. The fragrant mugwort rice cakes, made from mugwort collected last year, were offered in two flavors—shredded radish and red bean fillings—leaving a delightful, lasting impression.
This thoughtful preparation not only delighted the palate but also strengthened the bonds between people.
Qingming is both remembrance and inheritance. On this day, we not only express gratitude for our parents’ love but also embrace our cultural heritage, allowing this thousand-year-old spirit of filial piety to continue flourishing overseas, passed down through generations to illuminate the future.