The arrival and settlement of Chinese migrants not only transferred popular deities and native-place gods from China to Southeast Asia, but also led to the invention of new gods in the migrant society.

In this talk, the speaker will explore the proliferation of Tua Pek Kong’s cult among the Overseas Chinese communities. Far from being a standardized god in a bureaucratic pantheon of Chinese deities, Tua Pek Kong was considered as a “personal being,” offering protection to those who relied on him. 

This talk will also examine the multifaceted cult of Tua Pek Kong in three forms: a symbol of sworn brotherhood, a Sino-Malay deity, and a Sinicized god.

Jack Meng-Tat Chia is Assistant Professor of History and Religious Studies at the National University of Singapore. His research focuses on Buddhism and Chinese popular religion in Southeast Asia, transnational Buddhism, and Sino-Southeast Asian interactions. His first book, Monks in Motion: Buddhism and Modernity Across the South China Sea, won the 2021 EuroSEAS Humanities Book Prize.

Conducted in English. Only 20 seats available, on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration required.