Black Myth: Wukong is a Craze - Discover the Temples of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven in Malaysia

The Monkey King is a prominent figure in Chinese culture, particularly in Singapore and Malaysia. He is the protagonist of one of China's four great classical works, the Journey to the West, which has been adapted numerous times over the past few decades. The Monkey King has recently become a topic of renewed interest as a Chinese single-player video game called "Black Myth: Wukong" has achieved global popularity. Did you know the Great Sage Equaling Heaven beliefs are also popular in Malaysia? Where are the Great Sage Equaling Heaven temples in Malaysia?

Why do Malaysians Worship the Great Sage Equaling Heaven?

According to research, Malaysians worship the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, related to “Zheng He's Journey to the West Ocean” during the Ming Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Zhu Di, the first Ming emperor, Zheng He was sent to the West Ocean seven times. During Zheng He's voyages, some crew members stayed in Malacca, Singapore and other places.

Once the crew members had established themselves in their new environment, they began to procreate with local women of Malay or other ethnic backgrounds. The male offspring were referred to as "baba," while the female offspring were designated as "Nyonya." These descendants of the Ming Dynasty collectively became known as "Baba Nyonya," also known as Straits Chinese. The majority of these individuals hail from Fujian or the Chaoshan region of Guangdong. Upon their arrival in these regions, they introduced the worship of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven.

According to Peter Wee, vice-president of the Peranakan Association Singapore, in the early 1920s, many people in the area worshipped the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, who was known to the Baba Nyonya people as “Da Sheng Ye (The Great Sage)”. They believed that the Great Sage Equaling Heaven was so powerful that he could help people get rid of their diseases, so they not only went to temples to worship him but also enshrined him at home.

In addition to the general populace, businessmen also engaged in the worship of the Great Sage, seeking to emulate his flexibility and adaptability.

Where are the Great Sage Equaling Heaven Temples in Malaysia?

Every 17^th day of the 7^th lunar month is the birthday of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven and a grand festival is held in Shunchang, Fujian, China. The festival lasts from early morning until late at night and features a grand scene. The process includes inviting, parading, entertaining the deity and sending the deity off.

In Malaysia, the birthday of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven is celebrated on the 16^th day of the 8^th lunar month. This is due to the fact that the Great Sage Equaling Heaven is a deity that combines various religions and folk cultures. Chinese folk beliefs were born and developed under the influence of Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism, as well as the diversity of folk cultures. The following is a list of some of the most famous temples that can be visited on certain days to pray for the deity's blessings.

1）Yu Feng Sun Ling Gong

No 39, Jalan Ayer Dusun, Air Panas, 53200 Setapak,Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.

2）MonkeyGod Temple

No 24, Tokong Jalan Bagan, Pasir Penambang, Kuala Selangor.

3）Kulai Da Sheng Fo Zu Temple

Jalan Jambu 28, Taman Muhibbah, 81400 Kulai, Johor

4）Johor Kulai Wan Xian Miao Temple

Lot 421, Lorong 4, Kulai, Johor.

5）Penang Qing Yan Gong

9-B, Pengkalon Weld (Chew Jeti) Penang.

#万富 #继承传统