Wednesday 27 February 2019
Saturday 23 February 2019
Wednesday 20 February 2019
Penang Theppa Thiruvilla : When the Beach Gets Coloured
Saturday 16 February 2019
Behind Pulwama Attack : Is China Involved ?
The death of at least 40 paramilitary heroes is creating headlines on the international platform as thousands mourn over this emotional crisis that is backed by staunch patriotism.
Friday 15 February 2019
This Vegan Stall in Penang will make your tastebuds go frenzy
This newly erected cruelty-free stall will open a new dimension within your tastebuds and turn your pseudo-grave guts into an inhabitable botanical garden with their Middle Eastern delicacies.
Thursday 14 February 2019
Varsity Students in KL Are Rushing To The Toilet and its Reason will Shock you !
Tuesday 12 February 2019
History of Datuk Gong
Image: A Datuk shrine at my hometown, Subang Jaya
Being Malaysian, it is inevitable for one to ignore shrines that resemble the one above.
My interest in Datuk Gong initiated with an intrigue when I noticed a shrine in my campus' temple ( I mistook Datuk Gong shrines to be a branch of Chinese ancestral worship earlier ). My quest explored and I finally solved the mystery behind this ubiquitous deity.
Being Malaysian, it is inevitable for one to ignore shrines that resemble the one above.
My interest in Datuk Gong initiated with an intrigue when I noticed a shrine in my campus' temple ( I mistook Datuk Gong shrines to be a branch of Chinese ancestral worship earlier ). My quest explored and I finally solved the mystery behind this ubiquitous deity.
Datuk in the campus periphery of AIMST University, my Alma Mater
Datuk Gong shrines are widespread across the width and breadth of this nation, occupying any possible space - Under trees, hotels, malls, houses, temples, forests and even by the roadside to quote a few.
Who is Datuk Gong ?
So who is this deity who actively watches over the pedestrians, as early as when dawn peels over the sky up to the wee hours ? Datuk Gong is a consciousness that is worshiped for mundane purposes. Common examples include protection, wealth and health.
There are no strict regulations and protocols as to how one should worship the deity. Importantly, you should do the necessary rituals to preserve their aura in that area.
(2) Look at the deity and pour love with a gesture of a smile. If you are comfortable and if it is permissible, offer simple snacks or black coffee. With time, this simple act of serving will amplify within you and you will start radiating compassion to all beings around you. This is the magic of Datuk - where He can help awaken humanity in you. This is utmost important. Love all, serve all.
A Datuk Shrine in a Muniandy temple at Sungai Lalang, Sungai Petani |
Who is Datuk Gong ?
So who is this deity who actively watches over the pedestrians, as early as when dawn peels over the sky up to the wee hours ? Datuk Gong is a consciousness that is worshiped for mundane purposes. Common examples include protection, wealth and health.
For instance, people worship Datuk Gong before going for a job interview. Commoner examples of course include for the purpose of winning a lottery.
The term 'Datuk Gong' is an amalgamation of two cultures. Datuk refers to a honorable title in the Malay language while 'Gong' refers to the same in the Chinese dialect. As it is obvious-this deity represents the Malaysian culture for reasons we shall see.
A Datuk shrine or idol represents an individual consciousness. This consciousness would be that of a prominent figure ( excluding instagram public figures ) in the society who has walked the timeline of history. For instance, healers, martial artists, philanthropists across all ages.
A Datuk is not confined to a particular race or religion. For those who are aware of Dargahs in India, Datuk Gong worship is a Malaysian equivalent to it - just that we find their presence in small erected shrines rather than their actual samadhi ( grave )
A Dargah is a shrine built over the samadhi ( grave ) of a Sufi Saint who has attained an eminent spiritual awakening - possibly even enlightenment. Dargahs hold a mystical ambiance and is frequented by people from different religious backgrounds.
So to put it simple - Datuk Gong represents a saintly personality who has attained spiritual awakening, thus preserving a very vibrant consciousness upon leaving the body, which can confer help to us. One of the quickest paths to spiritual awakening is selfless service. This is one reason why most Datuks were once someone who had rendered selfless help and service to humanity.
The term 'Datuk Gong' is an amalgamation of two cultures. Datuk refers to a honorable title in the Malay language while 'Gong' refers to the same in the Chinese dialect. As it is obvious-this deity represents the Malaysian culture for reasons we shall see.
A Datuk shrine or idol represents an individual consciousness. This consciousness would be that of a prominent figure ( excluding instagram public figures ) in the society who has walked the timeline of history. For instance, healers, martial artists, philanthropists across all ages.
A Datuk is not confined to a particular race or religion. For those who are aware of Dargahs in India, Datuk Gong worship is a Malaysian equivalent to it - just that we find their presence in small erected shrines rather than their actual samadhi ( grave )
Attankarai Dargah, Thirunelveli,India - A famous Dargah with mystical history behind it. |
A Dargah is a shrine built over the samadhi ( grave ) of a Sufi Saint who has attained an eminent spiritual awakening - possibly even enlightenment. Dargahs hold a mystical ambiance and is frequented by people from different religious backgrounds.
Many seekers even opt for Dargahs as a spot for meditation.
Nagore Dargah Sheriff , Georgetown, Penang. This is a replica of the famous Dargah in Nagore, India |
Datuk Karpal Singh now worshiped |
There are no strict regulations and protocols as to how one should worship the deity. Importantly, you should do the necessary rituals to preserve their aura in that area.
Datuk coexisting with Lord Muniandy in Ipoh. Acculturation in form. |
Commonly, worshipers offer black coffee ( Kopi O ) and traditional Malay delicacies. Lamps and incense are very crucial - incense smoke in particular. The nature of the Datuk must be understood as well. If the consciousness is that of a personality who was once a Muslim, offering of pork and alcohol is strictly taboo.
Unfortunately, we have reduced the position of Datuks to that of a mere provider of wealth. Most seek such shrines hoping to win the lottery.
What I would recommend you to do if you pass by a Datuk Shrine :
(1) Send immense gratitude .Every Datuk functions as a protector of a particular area. Just send immense gratitude for His compassionate consciousness. None of us are aware as to who was saved from mishaps thanks to the grace of a Datuk.
Even female personalities can function as a Datuk |
(2) Look at the deity and pour love with a gesture of a smile. If you are comfortable and if it is permissible, offer simple snacks or black coffee. With time, this simple act of serving will amplify within you and you will start radiating compassion to all beings around you. This is the magic of Datuk - where He can help awaken humanity in you. This is utmost important. Love all, serve all.
A shrine with a portrait of the presiding Datuk |
Sultan Abdul Samad is now a worshiped Datuk in the Bao Tian Gong temple |
Actual image of Sultan Abdul Samad - Sultan Selangor V |
Thursday 7 February 2019
Stop Blaming Hindu Sangam !
MHS was bashed in social media for what this nuclear family did last Thaipusam |
Our keyboard warriors have a fetish for Malaysian Hindu Sangam. It's a never ending affair. They are being summoned for all occasions - of course the inauspicious ones that apparently bring disgrace to the Hindu culture which is being followed by every pure Hindu keyboard warrior in its zenith.
Wednesday 6 February 2019
Noble Tamizh King? : The Unspoken Rape Pursuit of Ravanasura
In all standard sampradayas and scriptures of ancient India, Shri Rama is without doubt seen and regarded divine and as one of the prominent incarnations who walked this planet.
Tuesday 5 February 2019
Malaysian Mariamman Temples and Negligence of Local Deities
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