In return, the ancestors give advice and bring good fortune. The origins of filial piety in East Asia lie in ancestor worship, and can already be found in the pre-Confucian period. Vietnamese Music & Dance. Ancestor Worship and Liturgical Inculturation within a Cultural Holiday by Alphonse Minh, O.F.M., Rufino Zaragoza, O.F.M. The practice of ancestor worship is relatively straightforward. To worship is to communicate with the dead people and ask them for advices. Since Confucianism was introduced to Vietnam during the Chinese domination, filial piety, the most fundamental of Confucian values, has been very much appreciated in Vietnamese families. Whether ancestor worship will continue to be strong as the influence of scientific rationalism and social change accelerates, is an open question. This is less rigorously observed today, and tablets are often replaced by photographs. The altar may also be decorated with a branch of peach blossoms in warm pink to drive away evil spirits and bad luck. Honour your elders. Ancestor worship is an ancient Vietnamese tradition. searches, I would like to analyse the main influential factors and the characteristic feature of Vietnamese ancestor worship. “Tet Vietnam Xua” (Vietnam’s Tet in the Olden Days), a collection of articles by Vietnamese and French scholars, gives readers a host of insights into the traditional holiday through its many rituals and customs. Ancestor worship, an ancient Vietnamese tradition, is a ritual practice paying tribute to deceased family members and reminding people of their roots. Ancestor Worship in Vietnamese Custom . In return, the ancestors give advice and bring … The Vietnamese accept as a fact that their ancestors continue to live in another realm, and that it is the duty of the living to meet their needs. For the Vietnamese, death, and the ritual and practice of ancestor worship, constitutes the transfer of power from the tangible life to the intangible. This is a powerful influence upon the behavior of the living, influencing them to behave well and do good deeds in the present, thereby endowing their living and unborn children with good luck in the future. In Chinese and Vietnamese ancestor worship 鬼法界, 鬼界 is "the realm of hungry ghosts". The Ambassadors of the US and France to Vietnam have shared their experience of celebrating the biggest festival in a year of Vietnamese people – the Lunar New Year or Tet. The Vietnamese accept as a fact that their ancestors continue to live in another realm and that it is the duty of the living to meet their needs. The practice of ancestor worship is thus an expression of “filial piety” toward deceased parents, relatives and ancestors. A Vietnamese person is never ‘alone’ – his or her ‘family’ is always present. However, the misdeeds of a wicked family ancestor will be visited upon his or her children and grandchildren in the form of bad luck. A “Mam Ngu Qua” or five-fruit tray is indispensable for each Vietnamese family among the numerous offerings required to decorate ancestral altars during the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) festival. Worshiping takes place regularly on particular days, such as festivals, new and full moon days, the death day of the ancestor, and so on. Ancestor worship is an ancient Vietnamese tradition. By virtue of their worthy deeds, heroic ancestors, such as Tran Hung Dao and the Trung sisters, continue to exist and be worshipped in temples for many generations beyond the two or three of ordinary folk. It is hard to come to Vietnam with a completely opened mind. Living things like rivers, rocks, trees, and mountains all have a spirit. Ancestor worship and filial piety is commonly practised amongst the older generation of Vietnamese. This … Additionally, people traditionally believed they earned merit, or luck, based on the sincerity of their adoration. The tradition of ancestor worship of Vietnamese people stems from the conception of the relationship between the living and the dead. For the Vietnamese, ancestor worship is not related to ghosts, spiritualism or even the supernatural in the Western sense. Local television stations have lined up dozens of new TV series to entertain audiences nationwide during Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, falling on February 10-16. After passing away, Vietnamese people believe that, the body dies but the spirit of their beloved family member still alive, stay to support in the future. Animistic beliefs (that all objects, people, and places have a spirit) are the cornerstone of Vietnamese funerals. W estern theologians or pastoral ministers who explore Asian culture or who minister with Asian Ameri-cans will soon encounter two major themes: Lunar New Year and ancestor worship. Q: What is ancestor worship? In the past, the majority of individual family members lived within close geographical proximity. The ancestral altar is set with ancestral tablets and pictures, together with an incense burner bowl in the centre as a symbol of the stars. Unique traditional Tet customs of Vietnam.    It is not even a ‘belief’ in the sense that it is open to question by the ‘believers’. Ancestor worship plays important portion of Vietnamese spiritual life. [26] After worship, the paper gifts are burnt so that the spirits of the gifts can ascend to heaven for the ancestors to use. Ancestor worship, an ancient Vietnamese tradition, is a ritual practice paying tribute to deceased family members and reminding people of their roots. Ancestor worship is such an integral part of Vietnamese culture that many would not even recognize it as a religion—it’s just a part of life. The French- built villas is a legacy that makes Hanoi's urban elegance and beauty unique in South East Asia. In the past, people performed ceremonies to keep spirits happy. Powered by WordPress. On the threshold of Lunar New Year 2021, artists in HCM City reviewed their operation in 2020 and voice their hope for a new year 2021 with full of peace and further thrives so that they can bring their artworks closer the public. 6. In Vietnam, traditionally people didn't celebrate birthdays (before western influence) but the death anniversary of a loved one was always an important occasion. One paper fire is likely to be an event affecting a single family. Most Vietnamese, regardless of religious denomination, practice ancestor worship and have an ancestor altar at their home or business, a testament to the emphasis Vietnamese culture places on filial piety. For the Vietnamese, ancestor worship is not related to ghosts, spiritualism or even the supernatural in the Western sense. How do Vietnamese people worship their ancestors? “All people have their family origins, so during the Tet festival we must show our filial duty to our ancestors and commemorate their great devotion,” he said. To worship is to communicate with the dead people and ask them for advices. Their rectitude is a model to guide the behavior of the living. The effect of ancestor worship upon Vietnamese society is profound. The practice reflects the influence of patriarchy and Confucianism on Vietnamese culture. Ancestor worship was present in the royal court in pre-colonial Burma. Offerings are made – fruit, sweets, and gifts. Nestled in a small alley on Ly Chinh Thang Street in District 3 is the book restoration shop of Mr. Vo Van Rang, 60, who has worked here for more than 40 years. Mr. Nguyen Tan Hieu, 34, in Binh Thuy district, Can Tho city has acquired a collection of around 200 valuable vintage cassettes, radios, and over 100 old kerosene lamps. His sentiment is one I’ve heard repeatedly, from even the most Western-influenced and sophisticated of Vietnamese. Vietnamese designer Nguyen Dang Binh has finished first in the “3-Colors” category in the Kingston x CSD Asia-Pacific (APAC) Mask Design Competition. All ancestors are worthy of respect and reverence, regardless of their behavior as living beings. Why do Vietnamese people worship their ancestors? Ancestor worship was introduced into Vietnam by the Chinese during their long occupation of the country that began 200 years before the birth of Christ. Inside the bowl usually stands a circular incense stick that represents the universe. On these days, every home has a tray filled with five types of fruits placed on the ancestral altar. Ancestor worship reflects the influence of patriarchy and Confucianism on Vietnamese culture. After passing away, Vietnamese people believe that, the body dies but the spirit of their beloved family member still alive, stay to support in the future. Since Confucianism was introduced to Vietnam early, during the Chinese domination, filial piety, the most fundamental of Confucian values, has been very much appreciated in Vietnamese families. In return, the ancestors give advice and bring … Weeks before the lunar New Year (Tet holiday), craftsmen of Thanh Ha pottery village were busy making buffalo statues – the mascot of the new lunar year to serve customers. Devotees of Buddhism believe in previous existences, and seek to correct previous bad deeds to reach enlightenment. Pho Hien (Hien Street), Chua Chuong (Chuong Pagoda), and Den tho Chu Dong Tu (Chu Dong Tu Temple) are all associated with mysterious legends imbued with the cultural colors of ancient times. Designed using Magazine News Byte. Based on it, through the fieldwork, in chapter 3, in the relationship with Confucianism, focus will point on the filial piety concept, to study about traditional ancestor worship on practical side and ideology side. The upcoming Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the Year of the Buffalo - the second animal in the 12-year cycle of the Vietnamese zodiac. Vietnamese families often visit their ancestors’ tombs and clean gravesites whenever the Lunar New Year (Tet) comes, normally from the 23rd of the last month of the lunar year to New Year’s Eve. On important occasions, such as moving house, starting a new business or the birth of a child, and whenever a member of the family needs guidance or a favour, the ancestors are consulted.