Wupeng Boat · Upper and Lower Body (Classic Collection)

Author: Zhou Zuoren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: Zhou Zuoren's prose style is calm, gentle, and elegant. This book includes several of his prose pieces, making it an excellent read for understanding Zhou Zuoren's writing style. His prose often depicts the customs and folk culture of his hometown, Zhejiang. In his still-life descriptions, he incorporates elements of rustic charm and folk traditions, placing his prose within a broader cultural context, which is quite intriguing.
Excerpt:
Ancestor Worship
Ancestor worship is a custom found in many countries in the Far East. Even today, many barbaric tribes practice it, and it was also present in ancient Europe. In China, this barbaric practice from the clan era has persisted until now, which is truly strange. In my opinion, this custom is not only illogical but also harmful in practice and should be abolished.
The original reason for ancestor worship, of course, stems from the belief in spirits. Primitive humans believed that all things possess a spirit, with the body merely a temporary dwelling. Therefore, after death, the soul remains on earth, living and eating as it did in life. These spirits require sustenance from their descendants, or else they may be angered and bring misfortune. This is the origin of ancestor worship.
Now that science has advanced, we know that there are no ghosts in the world. These deceptive sacrifices and rituals can certainly be abandoned.