Hong Kong and mainland leaders pay tribute at funeral of renowned scholar Jao Tsung-i
President Xi Jinping and state leaders send flowers and condolences, while Chief Executive Carrie Lam and city’s senior officials act as pallbearers
Jao’s body will be cremated at the Lantau Island site later on Wednesday, after the chanting of contemplative verses by the monks, a Buddhist funeral tradition, Professor Lee Chack-fan, director of the Jao Tsung-i Petite Ecole at the University of Hong Kong, said on behalf of Jao’s family.
The funeral was held at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island. Flowers from local companies, publishers and academics across the globe lined both sides of the hall. The ceremony ended at noon with rituals at the monastery later.
A spirit tablet in memory of Jao would be established at the foot of the 34-metre Buddha statue at the monastery, Lee said.