Research on Datuk Gong: Historical Materials and Field Research

This is the first collection of scholarly essays on the subject of Dato' Gong, featuring nineteen original articles organized into four sub-themes: A Century-Long Review, Interreligious Dialogue, Regional Case Studies in Malaysia, and Studies of Dato' Gong in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and India. The book not only presents valuable firsthand historical materials on Dato' Gong devotion in both Chinese and English, but also documents and analyzes observations of Dato' Gong devotion across various regions through field research.

Where is Dato Gong?
According to the belief passed down by word of mouth, it can be found in busy streets, construction sites, plantations, parking lots, uninhabited islands, street corners, in front of houses, and also in the solemn and dignified main halls of temples.

What kind of deity is Dato Gong? How widespread is his faith?
This book will take you into the field of academic research on Dato Gong and explore this indigenous belief with distinct Southeast Asian characteristics, especially among the Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore.

Dr. Tan Ai Boay

A native of Penang, his ancestral home is Shangchen Village, Lufeng, Guangdong.

Currently, he is an Associate Professor and Course Director at the Institute of Chinese Studies, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, and a Consultant to the Buddhist Archives of the Malaysian Buddhist Association. He holds a PhD (History) and a MA (History) from the University of Malaya, and a BA (major in Anthropology and minor in Chinese Literature) from National Taiwan University.

She has published dozens of academic journal papers at home and abroad, and is the editor-in-chief of "Traces of Chinese in Southeast Asia: History and Legends of Cave Temples in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia". Her research areas include Malaysian Chinese history and culture, and traditional Chinese religions.