Meng Po
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Meng Po 孟婆 is the Lady of Forgetfulness in Chinese mythology. (Pronunciation: 'Mung Pwaw')
Often known simply as Lady Meng (meaning 'dream'), Meng Po serves in Feng Du, the Chinese realm of the dead. It is her task to ensure that souls who are ready to be reincarnated do not remember their previous life or their time in hell.
To this end she collects herbs from various earthly ponds and streams to make her Five Flavored Tea of Forgetfulness. This is given to each soul to drink before they leave Feng Du. The brew induces instant and permanent amnesia, and all memory of other lives is lost.
Having been purged of all previous sins and knowledge, the dead spirit is sent to be reborn in a new earthly incarnation, and the cycle begins again.
External links
- Godchecker entry on Meng Po (http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/chinese-mythology.php?deity=MENG-PO)