Sheng Wong God

A small statue of Sheng Wong on the alter of the Sheng Wong Temple.

In traditional Chinese culture, Gods are generally not believed to be omnipotent, abstract beings. They are beings similar to humans who have acquired the power to be recognised as Gods. For the average worshipper, there are numerous Gods that may be offered respect. Consequently offerings are only made to Gods who are local, or of some relevance to current circumstances. The worship of higher level Gods is explicitly forbidden. Only individuals who have high ranking positions in society may worship high level Gods.
Sheng Wong is Prime Minister to Yanluo. Yanluo is the King, or supreme ruler and judge of the Chinese Buddhist underworld, where there are up to eighteen courts or levels of judgment. Yanluo also has two assistants, “Ox-Head” and “Horse-Face”. They are the guardians of hell and take each soul that has died a natural death to Yanluo for judgment.
If a person has died a brutal or unjust death, or if they committed suicide, their soul enters a state of rage and anger. No guards will come for a soul in this state, leaving them to relive their last moments again and again throughout eternity. The place where the death occurred is considered haunted by the living and can only by cleansed by a Buddhist or Taoist monk.
Souls who are brought to Hell by the guardians must face the Mirror of Retribution, where their entire life is replayed. If the person lived a righteous and caring life, they will be allowed to progress to Paradise to dwell in happiness. The vast majority, however, are found guilty of selfishness, greed, and other transgressions, and are assigned another level of Hell for judgment and punishment.
When a soul has suffered all their punishment they are brought to Xue Luan Wang, the being in charge of reincarnation. Souls move up or down the spiritual ladder, depending on their actions in mortality. Wicked souls return as an animal or insect, while obedient souls return as a human. Each soul is given a drink of broth by Mong Po, which wipes away all recollections and memories. Mong Po then escorts souls to the Wheel of Reincarnation to be reborn into mortality.