Their Ancestors Are Their God

Their Ancestors Are Their God

 

Descendants must honor their ancestral spirits if these ancestors are to flourish. So, regardless of whether my ancestors may have lived their lives in lowly circumstances, I must esteem them most highly. If I faithfully honor them with offering rituals and ‘guide my ancestors to dao,’ my ancestors can resolve their bitterness and grief and fulfill their wishes.

 

For humans, their ancestors are the most incomparably important beings in the celestial realm of the universe. Why is this so?

 

For everyone, what is most precious in the world is none other than ourselves. Because I exist, my country, people, society, parents, siblings, spouse, and children—everything—exist. If I did not exist, heaven and earth, the sun and moon—nothing—could exist.

 

Who, then, gave birth to me, the most precious being? My parents, of course—my ancestors. I was born into the world through my ancestors, and so, for me, my ancestors are my God.

 

My ancestors are the foremost God! My ancestors, who bequeathed their bloodline and their genes upon me, are my foremost God, taking precedence even over Okhwang-Sangjenim.

 

Let me again emphasize: regardless of your lofty or humble status, your ancestors are—from your perspective—the most incomparably precious of beings. Therefore, one must faithfully honor their ancestors.

 

Ancestors devote themselves solely to the well-being of their descendants for days uncountable, caring for them.