Stay away from superstition, preserve cultural values

(CLO) Hau Dong – an important spiritual ritual in the Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship – not only carries religious significance but is also a unique intangible cultural heritage. With its harmonious combination of music , dance, costumes, and sacred space, Hau Dong profoundly reflects beliefs about the spiritual world, the connection between humans and deities, and the relationship between tradition and the present.

Place the spirit medium in the correct position.

In the current context, where commercialization and self-interest infiltrate religious life, the spirit medium ritual faces the risk of being distorted and transformed into a form of superstition or a lavish, extravagant performance that loses its core values.

According to Associate Professor Bui Hoai Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education , to preserve the practice of spirit mediumship in accordance with the national cultural spirit, it must first be placed in its proper position – as an intangible cultural heritage, not as a tool for personal gain or self-serving pursuit. The essence of spirit mediumship is not about seeking wealth or fortune for personal gain, but rather about expressing reverence to saints and ancestors and connecting spiritually. When practitioners and participants understand this true nature, spirit mediumship will not be transformed into a form of superstition, stimulating greed, or becoming a means of making money for certain individuals.

Associate Professor Bui Hoai Son (center) attends the opening ceremony of the Ha Temple, Thuong Temple, and Y La Temple Festival in 2025.

Furthermore, preserving the rituals correctly is also a way to conserve traditional values. When UNESCO recognized the "Mother Goddess Worship of the Three Realms of the Vietnamese People" as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, it not only acknowledged the historical value of this belief but also placed a great responsibility on the community to protect and preserve its identity, avoiding deviations that would obscure its inherent sacred meaning.

One of the worrying issues today is the distortion of spirit mediumship towards a pursuit of material wealth. It's not difficult to find extravagant spirit mediumship ceremonies with overflowing gold and silver, elaborate costumes that are ostentatious, and offerings piled high like mountains. When the ritual is swept up in the whirlwind of ostentation, spiritual values ​​are obscured, and spirit mediumship easily becomes a "performance" rather than a sacred ritual.

"Spirit medium rituals can be solemn and visually appealing, but the core essence remains sincerity and the spiritual connection. It's not about having lots of money and offerings to show sincerity. On the contrary, simplicity and maintaining the original spirit of the ritual are the ways for spirit medium rituals to endure, remain true to their nature, and not be distorted over time," emphasized Associate Professor Dr. Bui Hoai Son.

Preserve with sincerity and responsibility.

According to Associate Professor Bui Hoai Son, one of the crucial factors determining the correctness of the spirit medium ritual is the practitioners – the mediums and temple keepers. They are not only the ones who perform the rituals, but also the ones who guide and lead the community to understand and practice correctly. A true spirit medium must possess a deep understanding of the belief system, know how to balance tradition with modernity, and avoid falling into the trap of commercialization or distorting the ritual for profit.

Furthermore, spreading correct awareness within the community is also crucial. When participants understand the true value of spirit mediumship, they will avoid distorted forms, not be drawn into superstitious temptations, or be exploited for profit.

Preserving the Hầu Đồng ritual is not only about protecting a spiritual practice, but also about preserving a part of the nation's cultural heritage. (Photo: Archival material)

Ultimately, the most important factor in ensuring that spirit mediumship retains its positive essence is love and faith in traditional culture. When practitioners act with sincerity and respect for the heritage left by their ancestors, instead of chasing fame and fortune, and when the community works together to preserve it with understanding and responsibility, spirit mediumship will always remain a beautiful part of Vietnamese cultural life, untainted by negativity.

"Preserving the Hầu Đồng ritual is not only about protecting a spiritual practice, but also about preserving a part of our national cultural heritage. We need to work together to ensure this ritual remains a beautiful tradition, rather than becoming a form of extravagance or superstition. Because when culture is truly respected, it will endure through time," Mr. Sơn added.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/giu-gin-nghi-thuc-hau-dong-tranh-xa-me-tin-giu-gin-gia-tri-van-hoa-cua-nguoi-viet-post338140.html