THE GONG TEK (which translates as merit) ritual is commonly conducted by Teochew communities during their funeral ceremonies. It is believed that the performance of the story from the Yulanpen Sutra or Mulian Saves His Mother from Hell during the gong tek ritual helps the soul of the dead to journey safely and quickly towards rebirth, or to Western Paradise, the auspicious and heavenly world where Amitabha Buddha resides.
“The rites nurture moral values of filial piety and respect for one’s parents, elders and ancestors. Drama and music help to invoke emotions so that family members can actively say farewell to their departed loved ones,” says the 77-year-old Ang Lee Loi, the leader of a group of female gong tek ritualists or zhai gu (vegetarian sisters) from the Choo Hoon Kok Association, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
