How Ceremony Is Deteriorating How to Make "Rites" Return to Spiritual Essence

The "ritual" gradually loses its spiritual essence and becomes increasingly materialistic. Whether you're the one giving or receiving, the focus has shifted more toward "profit." At the end of the year, the gift-giving frenzy kicks off again—sending gifts to relatives, friends, bosses, and clients. Many netizens have voiced their frustrations online: What does the Chinese New Year really mean now? Meanwhile, businesses have started offering creative and unique gifts, some of which are bizarre and expensive, once again drawing public attention. In response to this growing "gift fever," Li He, a research fellow at the Institute of Philosophy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, remarked, “In today's society, rituals are deteriorating or even being distorted. When linked with interests, they become a test—of intelligence, financial resources, and the weight of the gift. Festivals have turned into burdens for people.” The question is, how can we change this situation? At its core, ceremony is about the exchange of spirituality. This is a tradition in China and across the East. As the saying goes, “Great etiquette comes from the summer,” but where did these customs originate? According to Li He, “Etiquette originally came from religion and worship, and was part of ritualization.” However, the meaning of religion and worship has faded over time, and secularism has taken over. How do ordinary people view these traditions today? Li He explained, “Etiquette is not separate from life. It’s a symbol, a direct expression of human connection. It’s a way to express feelings and maintain relationships. Festivals should be moments of emotional and spiritual relaxation, not just opportunities for eating, drinking, and entertainment.” The transformation of gifts has turned into a contest of money. This has long been a significant aspect of Chinese and Eastern culture. Confucius emphasized the importance of arts and etiquette. But whether religious or secular, rituals were always symbolic and spiritual. Li He said, “Rituals and objects in traditional culture are closely connected, with 'yi' (righteousness) as the central value. This sense of ritual carries strong spiritual content, with material aspects coming second.” Today, rituals are losing their spiritual depth and becoming more materialistic. Gifts have turned into a big game. From spirit to matter, from elegance and nobility to mere representation of wealth, Li He pointed out, “Rituals are symbols. Their power lies in how people interpret them. In today’s context, they’ve gone beyond emotions and spirituality, carrying too many other meanings.” The erosion of rituals is already a reality. While there are calls for restraint, can such efforts truly slow down or reverse the decline? Li He argues that even those who refuse to give gifts may feel pressured. “Living in this environment, many are trapped. For example, if everyone gives 500, can you really give only 50?” Despite the challenges, rituals still need to return to their original purpose. Li He suggests, “When gift-giving becomes unbearable, it’s time to find ways to ease the burden. People should return to the original spiritual and symbolic meaning of rituals.” To restore the essence of rituals, society must change. Li He believes, “If we can weaken people’s attachment, shift the social structure, reduce competition, and promote fairness, then the significance of gifts will diminish. People could then live more freely, without being bound by status or hierarchy.” When interpersonal relationships become transactional, festivals lose their meaning. As the Southern Dynasties poet Liu Xiaobiao wrote, “When the prime is done, interest is exchanged, and the world is paralyzed.” Today, in a commodity-driven society, festivals have turned into stressful battlegrounds rather than times of rest and reflection. But changing this is no easy task. Many people are caught in a highly competitive system. Even avoiding competition doesn’t eliminate social pressures. As Li He says, “No amount of advice can make things easier for someone locked in this cycle.” Gifts, once a form of communication, have become one-way gestures. Superiors often receive gifts but rarely reciprocate. Li He notes, “Gifts should be neutral, but when tied to power and money, they become problematic. This is especially true in workplaces, academia, and official circles.” The alienation of rituals affects the entire society. Li He warns, “It undermines fairness, creates unhealthy environments, and distorts values in every sector.” Rituals should not be reduced to a game of money, but this is exactly what is happening. From modest exchanges to extravagant displays, the shift has happened rapidly. Li He observes, “In the past, people worried about the cost of gifts. Now, they think about how to show off the value.” As money takes center stage, sending gifts becomes inevitable. Li He says, “Rituals shouldn’t measure friendship. But when tied to interests, relationships become purely material.” Even in this challenging environment, there should be a moral boundary. Li He insists, “Money is a symbol, and while it’s hard to avoid, it shouldn’t dominate entirely.” Ultimately, the problem stems from competition and control. Li He explains, “People live in a world of constant competition, from childhood to work. This drives the need to accumulate power, and gifts become a means of dominance.” The issue is systemic, and until this changes, the erosion of rituals will continue.

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