Netizens explain why joss paper is tossed in the air, but religious leaders have urged against it

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The Hungry Ghost Festival is upon us, and Chinese devotees have already started burning joss sticks and paper as part of their observance to pay respects to the departed. 

But as local blogger Benjamin Lee noted, town estate cleaners have had their chores increased during the Seventh Month season as they clean up the unburnt offerings scattered and left behind in public spaces. 

The veteran blogger — better known by his moniker Mr Miyagi — put up a strongly worded post on Facebook on Wednesday (Aug 19) that rebuked those who “anyhowly chuck [their joss paper] all over the place and leave it for the migrant worker to tidy up [sic]”. 

The picture that accompanied his post depicted a lone cleaner attempting to sweep up a mass of joss paper scattered on the ground near a dedicated burning container. 

Mr Miyagi’s stance changed, however, when commenters informed him that there was a reason why the offerings remain unburnt and strewn on the ground. The blogger has since updated his post to reflect what he learned.

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