Wupeng boat. Upper and lower body (Selected Works of Modern Writers)

Author: Zhou Zuoren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: Zhou Zuoren's prose style is calm, mild, and elegant. This book includes many of his essays, making it an excellent read for understanding his writing style. Zhou Zuoren's prose often depicts the customs and folk culture of his hometown, Zhejiang. In his still-life descriptions, he incorporates elements of wild charm and folk traditions, placing his essays within a broader cultural context, which is quite fascinating. Excerpt:
Ancestor Worship Ancestor worship is a custom found in many countries in the Far East. Most barbaric tribes today practice it, and it was also present in ancient Europe. In China, this barbaric practice from the clan era has persisted to this day, which is truly strange. As I see it, this custom is not only illogical but also harmful in practice, and it should be abolished. The original reasons for ancestor worship, of course, stem 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 in the world, living and eating as before. These needs must be met by the descendants, or else they will anger the deceased spirits, leading to disasters. This is the origin of ancestor worship. Now that science has advanced, we know that there are no ghosts in the world, so these deceptive offerings and rituals can certainly be abandoned.