Page 65 - A Study of Traditional Chinese Religions in Malaysia: The Decline and the Path Towards Revitalization

categorized as traditional Chinese religions and the practice of filial piety and other Chinese
cultural practices are practiced in Buddhism.

As for Steven, his mother eventually accepted his embracing of Buddhism. He would
still consider his parents to be rather supportive of him embracing Buddhism. Interestingly,

Steven also shared on another account that he would accompany his mother for masses in
church and his mother would attend events organized by Fo Guang Shan upon his invitation
to her. These are instances of mutual acceptance, respect and support that is uniquely

practiced by Steven and his mother in terms of their religious differences. Steven shared that
there were no issues of conflicts and the need to convert the other as he sees the practice
of religious beliefs as a journey through different stages of enlightenment for different

individuals.

4.3.2 Influence of religious conversion on family members

Among the four interviewees, Koh’s conversion to Taoism has shown to be the most eventful
yet unusual experience. Not only did he not face any objection or disapproval from his family
members who were all Catholics by birth, he eventually inspired his siblings and eventually

his parents to convert to Taoism.

“My parents did not object to my religious change whatsoever. Instead, they
converted to Taoism naturally following their children’s conversion to the religion,”

explained Koh. “My siblings converted to become Taoists first after I did. My parents
were the last to convert.”

Koh further explained that when his parents were about to convert, they requested to

follow him to the (Taoist) temple, where he taught them how to go about the Taoist rituals.
Koh picked up some of the rituals when he was working in Singapore. After he returned to

Setiawan, he became more familiar with the rituals following his active participation in temple
activities and involvement in temple affairs.

As for Koh’s own children, they remain faithful to their “family” religion especially when

their father was both the chairman of the TPK Temple and a local business tycoon
responsible for upgrading the temple to one of the biggest TPK Temples in the country and
a remarkable landmark in Perak today.

Koh also added that three of his children used to study in England. “There, their
friends would invite them to the church. However, they did not go as they told me they would

feel sorry for me (as someone who plays a crucial role in the local Taoist community) if they
had gone to the church (embraced Christianity). None of my kids converted to Christianity.”

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