Malaysia / China: Carving of the 'superiorman' Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun, depicting his role in the 16th Century Ming Dynasty novel Fengshen Yanyi ('Investiture of the Gods'). From Ping Sien Si Temple, Pasir Panjang Laut

Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun was a character in the Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi', a 'superiorman' who looked after Mount Five Dragons and Cloud Top Cave. He is apparently derived from the bodhisattva Manjusri, and was the noted teacher of Jinzha, Li Jing's first son.

After Nezha attempted to kill his father Li Jing and defeated his brother Muzha, Guangfa Tianzun appeared just as Li Jing was about to commit suicide. Telling Li Jing to hide in his cave, Guangfa Tianzun defeated Nezha easily and tied him to a large gold post, ordering his student Jinzha to flog Nezha for his spoilt insolence. Guangfa Tianzun disappears from the novel after this encounter.

Guangfa Tianzun was described as an elite 'superiorman', even more powerful than Nezha's own 'superiorman' teacher, Taiyi Zhenren.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Anandajoti

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