The Temple of Mysterious Virtue – 29th anniversary celebrations, December 27 2013 – Jan 31st 2014, Singapore

Abstract

Abstract Since the mid-1990s, Singapore’s Chinese religious landscape has seen the rapid development and popularisation of Netherworld spirit medium (tang-ki) cults based around the channelling and worship of two Underworld deities, Tua Ya Pek and Di Ya Pek. Emphasizing Earthly morality and post-mortal punishments in the Underworld, the tradition has developed a distinctive ritual and material culture. The Temple of Mysterious Virtue illustrates this culture, is broadly representative of successful tang-ki temples where both Underworld and Heaven deities are channelled in a multi-ethnic environment, and where orthodox Taoist priests and tang-ki mutually reinforce each other’s legitimacy through ritual cooperation.