Since 1933 年以来

Singapore - Maude Road (Ming Chung Restaurant)

新加坡 —  茂德路（民众菜馆）

Today, I am introducing a restaurant specialising in traditional Heng Hwa cuisine.

今天，我要向大家介绍一家主打传统兴化菜的餐厅。

This Heng Hwa restaurant was established in 1933 and has a 93-year history.

这家兴化菜馆成立于1933年，拥有93年的历史。

Ming Chung Restaurant was the place where Heng Hwa folks used to gather back in the day to share meals and chat.

民众菜馆可是当年兴化老乡聚集吃饭、话家常的地方。

The restaurant is very unpretentious, with no lavish décor.

菜馆很朴实，没有华丽的装潢。

The food is nothing fancy—just simple, home-style dishes.

食物没什么花哨的——就是些简单的家常菜。

I highly recommend the Lor Mee (braised noodles), Fried Bee Hoon (stir-fried rice vermicelli), Cha Hoon (stew noodles), Trio Golden Platter (fried platter), Fried Batang Fish (pan-fried Spanish mackerel), Braised Bean Curd, and Seaweed Soup.

个人比较推荐的是卤面、炒米粉、擦粉、炸拼盘、煎马鲛鱼、焖豆腐、紫菜汤。

Ming Chung Restaurant Dining Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM

民众菜馆营业时间：周二至周日，下午12点至晚上10点

Double Fifth Festival 重五节

Singapore - Bugis

新加坡 — 武吉士

The Duanwu Festival is a traditional festival in the East Asian cultural sphere and one of the four major Chinese festivals, alongside the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival.

端午节是东亚文化圈一个传统节日，华人四大节日之一，同春节、清明节、中秋节一样重要的传统节日。

The Duanwu Festival has many names, such as Dragon Boat Festival, Double Fifth Festival, Duanyang Festival, Duanwu Festival, Double Fifth Festival, Tianzhong Festival, Summer Festival, Mugwort Festival, Shangri Festival, May Festival, Calamus Festival, Heavenly Doctor Festival, Herbal Medicine Festival, Noon Festival, Earth Wax Festival, Zhengyang Festival, Dragon Day Festival, Dumpling Festival, Five Yellow Festival, Poet's Festival, Hiding from the Noon Festival, Unwrapping Dumpling Festival, Duanli Festival, etc.

端午节名称众多，如龙舟节、重午节、端阳节、端五节、重五节、当五汛、天中节、夏节、艾节、上日、五月节、菖蒲节、天医节、草药节、午日节、地腊节、正阳节、龙日节、粽子节、五黄节、诗人节、躲午节、解粽节、端礼节等等。

Longing For Mommy 想念妈咪

Singapore - Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium

新加坡 — 万礼火化场与骨灰瓮安置所

Today's visit to the columbarium is not on any special day of remembrance.

今天来骨灰瓮安置所不是什么特别的祭拜日。

 I just missed my mommy.

纯粹就想我妈咪了。

Although two months have passed, my longing for my mommy has not diminished in the slightest.

虽然两个月过去了，但我对妈咪的思念丝毫未减。

Although I came here to chat with my mommy, it was actually my mommy who was keeping me company.

虽然我来这里是为了和妈咪聊天，但实际上是妈咪陪着我。

Four Sixes 四个六

Singapore

新加坡

Today is Saturday, June 6, 2026, making four sixes.

今天是2026年6月6日星期六，凑成四个六。

The last time four sixes appeared was in 1916, exactly 110 years ago.

上次出现四个六是1916年，相隔整整110年。

The next time four sixes appear will be in 2136, which is 110 years from now.

下一次再出现四个六要等到2136年，那是110年后的事。

On this once-in-a-lifetime occasion of four sixes, I wish everyone good luck and all the best.

在这人生仅有一次的四个六日子里，祝愿大家六六大顺。

Simplified Version 简化版

Singapore - Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery

新加坡 — 光明山普觉禅寺

As usual, this year on Vesak Day, I go to Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery to participate in the three-steps-one-bow ceremony.

今年卫塞节，我照例前往光明山普觉禅寺参加三步一拜仪式。

The difference is that my mommy just left us for the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

不同的是，我妈咪刚离开我们去了极乐净土。

Due to some construction projects, this year's three-steps-one-bow ceremony has been adjusted and simplified.

由于一些建筑工程，今年的三步一拜仪式进行了调整和简化。

Although the distance has been reduced, the devotees still perform the rituals with sincerity.

尽管距离缩短了，信徒们仍然虔诚地进行仪式。

The simplified ceremony is complete.

简化版的仪式完成。

Devotees lined up to prepare to bathe the Buddha.

信徒们排成一列，准备为佛像沐浴。

This is also a way to make merit for my mommy, who is in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

这也是为我身处极乐净土的妈咪积德的一种方式。

Curtain Call In Life 人生谢幕

Singapore

新加坡

Today I received heartbreaking news: my friend's father-in-law passed away due to a sudden heart attack.

今天我收到一个令人心碎的消息：我朋友的岳父因突发心脏病去世了。

According to Indian custom, a person's body is laid on the floor after death.

根据印度习俗，人死后遗体会被放置在地板上。

Indians will keep the remains of their deceased relatives in their homes.

印度人会把过世亲人的遗体放在自己家里。

In Indian custom, a person is either cremated or buried the day after death.

按照印度习俗，人死后第二天要么火葬，要么土葬。

In Indian custom, funerals are not held on Saturdays.

在印度习俗里，葬礼不在星期六举行。

However, if the next day falls on a Saturday, a chicken must be sacrificed to replace the descendant "eaten" by the ancestors; then the curtain calls in life on Sunday.

但是，如果第二天是星期六，就必须宰杀一只鸡来代替被祖先“吃掉”的后代；然后，生命在星期日落下帷幕。

Last Seventh Day 尾七

Singapore - Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium

新加坡 — 万礼火化场与骨灰瓮安置所

Today is the forty-ninth day (the last seventh day) since my mommy left us.

今天是我妈咪离开我们的第四十九天（尾七）。

According to Buddhism, a person's consciousness after death is called "bardo".

根据佛教的说法，人死后的神识，被称为“中阴身”。

It will inevitably be reincarnated within forty-nine days and cannot linger in this world.

在七七四十九天内必定入轮回转世，不能逗留人世间。

Buddhism believes that within 49 days after death, the soul wanders between the past life and the next.

佛教认为人死后四十九天内，灵魂会在前世与来生之间徘徊。

The 49th day is the last day of the forty-nine-day memorial service, meaning the deceased will complete the judgment of the six realms of reincarnation on this day and decide where to be reborn.

第49天是七七祭祀的最后一天，意味着亡灵将在这一天完成六道轮回的审判，决定投生去处。

May mommy follow Amitabha Buddha to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and become an angel.

愿妈咪跟随阿弥陀佛去极乐净土成为天使。

P/S: "bardo" (Tibetan word meaning "intermediate state")

注：“中阴身”（藏语，意为“中间状态”）