Chinese Religion in Contemporary Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan: The Cult of the Two Grand Elders

In Singapore and Malaysia, Underworld demons are now commonly venerated in statue form, channeled through spirit mediums, tang-ki. Chinese religion in contemporary Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan offers an ethnography of contemporary Chinese Underworld traditions, where night-time cemetery rituals assist the souls of the dead, exorcised spirits are imprisoned in Guinness bottles, and malicious foetus ghosts are enlisted to strengthen a temple's spirit army. Fabian Graham's innovative approach to alterity allows the reader to listen to first-person dialogues between the author and channelled Underworld deities, intervening in debates on the interrelation between sociocultural and spiritual worlds and promoting the destigmatization of spirit possession and discarnate phenomena in the future study of mystical and religious traditions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 17 May 2022
Publisher: Manchester University Press

In Singapore and Malaysia, a remarkable transformation has taken place within the realm of Chinese Underworld traditions. The inversion of these traditions has led to the veneration of Underworld demons as statues, channeled through their spirit mediums known as tang-ki. The Chinese Underworld, with its intricate sub-hells, is teeming with a bureaucracy drawn from various Buddhist, Taoist, and vernacular pantheons. These bureaucratic entities oversee the enforcement of post-mortal punishments on the souls of the recently deceased, meting out justice for moral transgressions committed during their previous incarnations.

Contemporary Chinese religion in Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan presents an ethnographic exploration of these captivating Underworld traditions. During nighttime cemetery rituals, the souls of the deceased are aided in their journey, exorcised spirits are confined within Guinness bottles, and malicious foetus ghosts are enlisted to bolster a temple's spirit army. By delving into the socio-political and historical contexts that shape these religious practices, Fabian Graham challenges prevailing assumptions about the nature and scope of Chinese vernacular religious beliefs and practices.

Graham's innovative approach to alterity enables the reader to engage in first-person dialogues with the channelled Underworld deities. Through its alternative methodological and narrative stance, the book intervenes in ongoing debates regarding the interconnection between sociocultural and spiritual realms. It also advocates for the destigmatization of spirit possession and discarnate phenomena in future studies of mystical and religious traditions.

This captivating exploration of Chinese Underworld traditions offers a profound insight into the complex interplay between religion, culture, and societal dynamics. It sheds light on the ways in which beliefs and practices evolve, adapting to the changing contexts of time and place. By delving into the lesser-known aspects of Chinese religion, Graham's book contributes to our understanding of the rich and diverse tapestry of spiritual beliefs and practices across the world.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526167774