Woman's corridor rituals leave Toa Payoh neighbours uneasy

A woman in Toa Payoh has come under fire from neighbours after repeatedly conducting religious rituals along a shared corridor, leaving offerings that some residents say make them feel uneasy and even obstruct the walkway.

The incident took place at Block 270A Toa Payoh East, according to Shin Min Daily News.

Three rituals in three months

Neighbours said the woman, who moved in about three months ago, has conducted at least three rituals on July 10, Aug 7 and Sept 23.

One neighbour, 67-year-old retiree Tseng Cuiyu (transliterated), said the woman would set up an altar outside her flat each time, placing offerings such as food and spirit tablets, while someone inside chanted sutras for the souls of the deceased.

"Previously, only about two people would chant during the rituals, but on September 23, so many attended that I couldn't even open the door," said Tseng.

When reporters visited the flat that day, at least five people were seen taking part in the ceremony, with 10 pairs of shoes left outside the door.

Tseng said that during previous rituals, the woman would stand right outside her door to perform prayers, even placing items outside her unit, which she found inconvenient and somewhat inauspicious.

"She would also place a small metal tray near the stairwell with incense, food, and some powder. When it was burned, the smell of incense filled the entire corridor," she said.

Tseng added that she was worried the burning of incense in a public area could pose a fire hazard.

Another neighbour, 68-year-old Chen Xuejiao (transliterated), said that the event on Sept 23 drew an unusually large crowd, leaving her feeling somewhat uneasy about the rituals they performed.

According to Shin Min, the female resident explained that her rituals were meant to help the souls of the departed find peace and to pray for the sick, and that she would hold them elsewhere in future after learning of her neighbours' concerns.

When approached by reporters, the woman, who described herself as a Dharma Master, said she usually chants sutras at home and had only performed rituals occasionally since moving in three months ago.

"I offer alms and chant sutras to help wandering souls and the spirits of infants find peace," she explained, adding that the metal tray was used for burning food offerings for hungry ghosts.

She also said the larger turnout on Sept 23 was because "we were praying for a follower from Hong Kong who was in critical condition after brain surgery, so more people came to pray for him".

Sharing her post-ritual offerings with neighbours

After each ritual, the woman often shared leftover offerings with neighbours, but many declined them.

Chen said she personally did not mind accepting the offerings, but noted that others found it unsettling. Tseng, on the other hand, said she always refused them.