Malaysia’s Kayu-Carved “King of the Ghost”

The tallest “King of the Ghost” in Kelantan, Taoism in Malaysia ,relation between Buddhism and Taosim and Ghost Festivals.

By Pee Yi Vi — October 10, 2024 @ 3.05 pm

The people used a cart car to move “King of the Ghost” to go out on patrol.—PERSATUAN YITLAN GUA MUSANG Facebook.

HAVE you ever seen the tallest and kayu-carved ‘king of the ghost’ in Malaysia? If you haven’t seen or heard of it yet… There is the tallest, kayu-carved “King of the Ghost” located in Gua Musang, Kelantan. 

Many Chinese in Malaysia adhere to taoism. Due to the overall lack of religious knowledge among younger generations, many adherents of Malaysian Chinese religion concentrate primarily on rituals and have little to no understanding of Taoist texts and practices.

According to Taoism, burning incense creates a bridge between humans and gods and can be seen as a scent that reaches the ten directions of the infinite world. Ordinary believers might pray and make wishes while burning incense in the hopes that the gods will provide them prosperity in their careers, good health, and other areas. In Taoist temples, burning incense is a serious religious ritual.

In addition to keeping a pure heart, there are numerous "taboos" that must be observed and offended no matter how small. For example, three sticks are typically burned when worshiping gods. If an open flame occurs while incense lighting, do not extinguish it with your lips.

Though they are distinct religions, Buddhism and Taoism are both significant belief systems in China. In Buddhism, nirvana and liberation are emphasized. Taoism places a strong emphasis on following the natural order, seeking inner peace and harmony with the natural world, and ruling by doing nothing.

The Ghost Festival, one of China's four ancient sacrificial festivals, has historical roots in Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Taoism got its name from its practices, which started with the old Confucian tradition of making sacrifices in the autumn. 

On the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, each year, people offer sacrifices to their ghosts and ancestors, and Taoists offer sacrifices to local officials in order to pray for good and evil in the world.

Buddhism founded the Bon Society to redeem ancestors from all ages, influenced by Confucianism. 

Taoism, a native religion of China, places a strong emphasis on filial piety and is similarly impacted by the patriarchal society. 

As a result, the practice of honoring ancestors on Ghost Festival has become widely accepted among the populace. People refer to the Half-July Festival, Shigu Festival, and Ghost Festival as such.

The member of Persatuan Yitlan Gua Musang.— PERSATUAN YITLAN GUA MUSANG Facebook.

The tallest, kayu-carved “King of the Ghost”, only one in Malaysia, has been created by Persatuan Yitlan Gua Musang. Persatuan Yitlan Gua Musang is managed and founded by Pee Ching Quan. 

“We were founded in 1994 and have been around for 30 years now,” said Mr Pee in an interview.

And the story about “King of the Ghost”, “Originally a Buddhist guardian, the “Face Burning Daishi,” also called the “Flame-Mouthed Ghost King,” subsequently rose to prominence as a Taoist deity and was referred to as "Dashi Master" or "Pudu Gong." 

It is an incarnation of the Bodhisattva Guanshiyin and was initially referred to in Buddhism as “King of Ghosts whose face is burned by fire”,he said. 

The statue of the “King of the Ghost" is green-faced and fanged, tall and powerful, highlighted by a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva on his head, symbolizing his representation of the compassionate Goddess of Mercy. 

Refers to the seventh month of the lunar calendar as the “month of ghosts.” According to legend, the ghost gate is opened on the first day of the seventh lunar calendar month, releasing ravenous spirits, and it remains open until the thirtieth day of the same month. 

In the interview, we learned that they worship these ceremonies that took place on the seventh lunar month and for 20 days.

People worship at the roadside.— PERSATUAN YITLAN GUA MUSANG Facebook.

According to Mr Pee, this kayu-carved “King of the Ghost” is 18 feet tall, and it took a year to carve it out. Furthermore, there are no other kayu-carved items in Malaysia like this one.

This is the kayu before carve.— PERSATUAN YITLAN GUA MUSANG Facebook.

It's half finished. — PERSATUAN YITLAN GUA MUSANG Facebook.

It took a year to complete the kayu-carved god. — PERSATUAN YITLAN GUA MUSANG Facebook

On the left and on the right are “Ox Head and Horse-Fac”. Second from the left and second from the right are “Black and White Impermanence”. And the middle is “King of the Ghost”.

“The purpose of these ceremonies we worship is to pass on filial piety and respect for the elderly,” he said. It is customary to pay respect to the Grand Master before making sacrifices to the spirits of the deceased on the Mid-Yuan Festival. 

Cautionary believers may construct a paper statue of the Grand Master, while others will use wooden and stone statues, paintings, and plaques to make sacrifices. 

In order to ensure a smooth sacrifice, the God's seat or Grand Master statue should be placed in front of an offering table.  Once July is over, the statue is usually cremated and sent to heaven. But this wood carving of the Grand Master will not be cremated, but will always be enshrined.

So those who have not seen it can go to visit in their free time or vacation time, not necessarily need to wait until the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar in order to visit or worship. The visiting hour is 10.00am-9.00pm. Address is Persatuan Yitlan Gua Musang, Jalan Industri, 18300 Gua Musang, Kelantan.