Stay away from superstition, preserve cultural values

(CLO) Hau Dong - an important spiritual ritual in the Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship - not only has religious significance but is also a unique intangible cultural heritage. With a harmonious combination of music , dance, costumes and sacred space, Hau Dong deeply reflects the belief in the spiritual world, the connection between humans and gods, between tradition and the present.

Put the medium in the right position

In the current context, when commercialization and self-interest infiltrate religious life, the ritual of spirit mediumship is at risk of being distorted, transformed into a form of superstition or a lavish, splendid stage that loses its core values.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture andEducation , in order to preserve Hau Dong in accordance with the spirit of national culture, it is necessary to first put it in its right place - an intangible cultural heritage, not a tool for personal gain or pursuit. The nature of Hau Dong is not to pray for wealth and fortune in a selfish way, but to express respect to saints, ancestors and spiritual connection. When practitioners and participants understand this nature correctly, Hau Dong will not be turned into a form of superstition, stimulate greed or become a means of making money for some individuals.

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

Furthermore, maintaining the correct rituals is also a way to preserve traditional values. When UNESCO recognized the “Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship” as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, it not only recognized the historical value of this belief but also placed a great responsibility on the community in protecting and preserving its identity, avoiding deviations that obscure its inherent sacred meaning.

One of the current worrying issues is the transformation of Hau Dong into a materialistic race. It is not difficult to see lavish Hau Dong ceremonies with lots of gold and money, elaborate costumes, and offerings piled high like mountains. When the ritual is caught up in the vortex of glitz, the spiritual value is overshadowed, and Hau Dong easily becomes a “performance” rather than a sacred ritual.

"Hau dong can be solemn and beautiful, but the core is still sincerity and the meaning of spiritual connection. It is not necessary to have a lot of money and offerings to show sincerity. On the contrary, simplicity and keeping the original spirit of the ritual is the way for Hau dong to exist sustainably, true to its nature and not be distorted over time" - Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son emphasized.

Preserve with sincerity and responsibility

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son, one of the important factors that determines the correctness of the ritual of Hau Dong is the practitioners - the mediums and the incense masters. They are not only the ones who perform the ritual, but also the ones who guide and guide the community to understand and practice correctly. A true medium must be someone who has a deep understanding of beliefs, knows how to balance between tradition and suitability to the times, and avoids falling into the trend of commercialization or distorting the ritual for profit.

Besides, spreading the right awareness to the community is also very important. When participants understand the true value of Hau Dong, they will stay away from distorted forms, not be drawn into superstitious invitations or be exploited for profit.

Preserving the spirit mediumship is not only protecting a spiritual ritual, but also preserving a part of the nation's cultural heritage. Photo: Document

Finally, the most important factor for Hau Dong to always maintain its good nature is love and belief in traditional culture. When practitioners come from sincerity, from respect for the heritage left by their ancestors, instead of chasing fame and profit, when the community joins hands to preserve it with understanding and responsibility, Hau Dong will always be a beautiful part of Vietnamese cultural life, not tainted by negativity.

"Preserving the spirit medium ritual is not only protecting a spiritual ritual, but also preserving a part of the national cultural heritage. We need to join hands so that this ritual will forever be a beautiful tradition, and not become a form of luxury or superstition. Because when culture is properly respected, it will last forever," Mr. Son 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