The book titled, “Studies of Datuk Gong: Historical Materials and Fieldwork” (拿督公研究：史料与田野调查) was officially launched at UTAR Kampar Campus on 23 March 2024.

“Studies of Datuk Gong: Historical Materials and Fieldwork” was the first research-focused book in Chinese language published by UTAR Press since its establishment in 2022. It offered an in-depth exploration into the multi-dimensional studies of the local deity Datuk Gong through the lens of various research fields, including historical studies, anthropology, folklore studies, religious studies, and literature studies.

The launching ceremony was jointly organised by UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS), Siang Heng Plastic Ware Sdn Bhd, and Cloud Academy of Malaysian History. The book was launched by ICS Dean Assoc Prof Dr Chong Siou Wei, Siang Heng Plastic Ware Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dato’ Teoh Boon Teong, and ICS Head of Programme for PhD (Chinese Studies) Assoc Prof Dr Tan Ai Boay.

ICS Dean Dr Chong said, “Deity Datuk Gong can be seen worshipped in multiple countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. It is the epitome of the localisation of Chinese folk beliefs and the deity is widely seen in Chinese-populated areas.”

As an individual who has worshipped the deity Datuk Gong since childhood, Siang Heng Plastic Ware Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dato’ Teoh was delighted to be able to lend a helping hand to the development of the research. He remarked, “It is meaningful to research and pass down the belief of Datuk Gong to the future generations, as he is a traditional deity originated from Malaysia.”

The main editor of the book, Assoc Prof Dr Tan Ai Boay introduced the content overview of the book to the attendees. “In the future, we hope to write English research papers on the deity Datuk Gong belief, which not only can strengthen the research results of deity Datuk Gong’s studies in the field of English academia, but also encourage more scholars to expand on this research topic,” Dr Tan said.

A Q&A session was also organised. It saw an array of insightful interactions between scholars and the attendees. During the session, the scholars shared the results of their studies, which included topics such as field reports on Datuk Gong’s birthday, activities between the Chinese community and the ancient temple of Datuk Gong, content of Datuk Gong’s fortune sticks (签诗), and discussions on the deity Prithvi in Buddhist context.

“Studies of Datuk Gong: Historical Materials and Fieldwork”

Published by UTAR Press, the book on deity Datuk Gong is a compilation of research data and inputs by various scholars from Malaysia as well as other countries. It mainly consists of four topics, namely “The Review of the Century” (百年回顾), “Religious Dialogue” (宗教对话), “Case Studies in Malaysia” (马来西亚区域个案研究), and “Studies of Datuk Gong in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia” (马新泰印拿督公研究). Pertaining to Malaysia’s regions, the book delved into the beliefs of Datuk Gong in states such as Penang, Sarawak, Melaka, and Selangor. Meanwhile, the studies of Datuk Gong in other Asian countries mainly focus on Datuk Gong’s relation to the respective local traditions.