Grateful for the empowerment of the Buddha! I departed riding a white lotus flower.
“Amitabha!” I paid homage to the Magistrate. “Today I wish to ask the Magistrate about the Tudigong worshipped in the Earth God shrines. Are they heavenly deities or earthly deities? In other words, are they dispatched from the heaven realm, or merely ghosts attaching themselves to shrines? What are their official duties and jurisdictions? What is the difference between the household Tudigong and the doorway Tudigong?”
The Magistrate said: “The Tudigong enshrined in Earth God shrines are deities endowed with blessings and virtues, belonging to the class of upright deities of blessings and virtues. They are appointed by heaven and can receive incense offerings from mortal beings. These deities vary in the measure of their blessings and virtues. Those endowed with greater blessings and virtues preside over larger territories. For example, some village Earth Gods administer an entire village, while distinct Earth Gods govern separate districts within cities.
Mortal folk erect modest Earth God shrines for these regional Earth Gods whose duty is to govern the blessings, virtues, and safety of all sentient beings residing within their territory. Whenever a mortal is born or passes away, the netherworld sends official notification to the Earth God. Likewise, whenever beings move out of the Earth God’s domain, the Earth God receives official records issued by the netherworld.
The Earth God maintains peace and order for sentient beings dwelling in his territory. If evil souls or ghosts attempt to enter his territory, the Earth God shall properly intervene and protect mortal people. All such official Earth Gods were compassionate, righteous individuals who loved helping others during their mortal lives. Upon the end of their lifespan, they are appointed as Earth Gods to receive incense and offerings in the human world. These are the Earth Gods of abundant blessings and virtues, worthy of public homage and offerings.
These spirits whom people refer to as Earth Gods enshrined in homes and at doorways are actually upright ghosts with a lesser measure of blessings and virtues. Though mortals set up spirit tablets to venerate them and address them as household and doorway Earth Gods, they are in truth ghosts that have long dwelt within the dwellings, with longer lifespans than humans’. If no mortals reside in the house, these ghosts receive no offerings. When mortals make offerings to them, the ghosts repay the kindness and naturally protect the household, granting safe comings and goings.
Nowadays residential properties are frequently bought and sold, yet these ghosts do not follow the residents. Only the house’s human owner changes. These ghosts are not Earth Gods dispatched by Heaven. Those sent from heaven include regional Earth Gods, Earth Gods for shopping malls, and Earth Gods for high‑rise buildings. Many people now dwell in high‑rise complexes. Each building entrance hosts an Earth God assigned by the netherworld, who answers to the regional Earth God. Earth Gods assigned by the netherworld are also stationed at the entrances of shops and malls. Such places draw large crowds, and require Earth Gods endowed with substantial blessings and virtues to receive incense offerings. Very well, Ayù, we shall stop here for today. You may go back now.”
“Amitabha!” I paid homage to the Magistrate, and returned riding a white lotus flower.
Before heading home, I went to greet the nearby regional Earth God. I greeted him, “Amitabha, Grandfather Tudigong! How do you do!”
Grandfather Earth God said: “Ayù! It is very late. Hurry home and stay safe!”