Once, I went to a church in Kuala Lumpur and the Chinese pastor said proudly that the religion he preached does not involve burning paper money like some other religion practiced by some other people; a practice he said was illogical and a waste of money. Today, growing older and mellower and mulling over the remarks, I thought I kinda like the idea of burning paper money. Many people seem to think that Buddhists burn paper money but the truth is burning paper money is a Chinese practice. Buddhism is from India and one doesn't see Indians, Buddhists or otherwise, burning paper money. I guess burning paper money must have started off in ancient China during those days when there was no television, karaoke or other sorts of entertainment to keep a person occupied. I can imagine people back then, coming together, sitting together, folding and preparing the paper money and have a marvellous time, chatting, gossiping and interacting with each other. These days, people don't have to fold the paper themselves. They can just buy them from shops, all ready to be burnt but I still kinda of like the idea of people coming together to burn paper money during Chinese New Year, Cheng Beng or any other festival. If you are a scout, you would perhaps start recalling the marvellous time you have when you start a bonfire in a jamboree! Then, perhaps, you'd like burning paper money too!
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