Preserving the national soul from the Mother Goddess worship

In reality, this religious practice is growing strongly, attracting a large number of artisans, mediums and people to participate. However, along with the spread are deviant manifestations such as superstition, commercialization, ostentation, waste, etc., posing many challenges in conservation work.

The reporter had an interview with Mr. Nguyen Danh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Institute for Cultural and Development Studies, about this content. We respectfully introduce it to our readers.

Mr. Phan Tan Linh, Secretary of Nghi Xuan District Party Committee; Mr. Nguyen Danh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Institute for Cultural and Development Studies; Meritorious Artisan Pham Quang Hong presented flowers to artisans and mediums participating in the Festival of Practicing the Mother Goddess Worship of the Three Palaces at the Holy Mother Temple, Xuan Lam Commune.

- Sir, after UNESCO recognized "The practice of worshipping the Mother Goddesses of the Vietnamese people" as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, how have the activities to preserve and promote the value of this heritage been carried out?

- Mr. Nguyen Danh Hoa: After UNESCO recognized "The practice of worshipping the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms of the Vietnamese people" as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2016, many action programs have been implemented to protect and promote the value of this heritage. Specifically, it has focused on contents such as identifying and documenting heritage; enhancing education and propaganda to raise public awareness; supporting practice and teaching activities in the community; honoring artisans and individuals with positive contributions...

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also directed localities to develop specific plans, integrated into cultural, educational and tourism development activities. In 2022, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a conference to evaluate the results of the program implementation in Hung Yen, and proposed directions for continued implementation for the 2023 - 2028 period. These actions demonstrate the State's concerted efforts in preserving a heritage that not only has spiritual significance but is also a part of the Vietnamese cultural soul.

Many events are held to honor and promote the belief, to affirm the role of the heritage after being recognized by UNESCO, and at the same time to implement the commitments of the Vietnamese Government to UNESCO. In addition, religious practices such as Hau Dong and Mother Goddess worshiping festivals are increasingly popular and are organized more widely. The practicing community - including Thanh Dong, Cung Van, and Con Huong disciples - actively participate in preserving and teaching the heritage. However, there have also been commercialization and misunderstandings about the heritage, requiring timely management and guidance from the authorities.

It can be affirmed that UNESCO recognition has helped raise public awareness of the value of heritage, promoting educational and communication activities to help people understand correctly and be more proud of this traditional belief. At the same time, the Mother Goddess worship has become a highlight in the development of cultural tourism, with places such as Phu Day, Bao Loc Temple, Song Temple... attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists, contributing to promoting Vietnamese culture to the world.

In short, the worship of the Three Mother Goddesses has received special attention from the community and authorities after being recognized by UNESCO. Activities to preserve, promote and advertise the heritage have been implemented synchronously, contributing to the preservation and development of a unique cultural feature of the Vietnamese people.

Artist Doan Van Bac in a palace.

Artist Doan Van Bac in a palace.

- As you mentioned, the current Mother Goddess worship, in addition to its positive aspects, is also facing negative phenomena such as superstition, commercialization, waste, etc. So, in your opinion, what orientation is needed to properly preserve and maintain the nation's cultural and spiritual values?

- Mr. Nguyen Danh Hoa: This is a very important question. Besides its positive contributions to the preservation of cultural identity, Mother Goddess worship is also facing many challenges, especially deviations such as superstition, commercialization, and waste in rituals.

In my opinion, to properly preserve and promote the spiritual and cultural values of this religion, it is necessary to strengthen State management and perfect the legal and policy system. There must be close coordination between the State and relevant organizations in monitoring, managing and licensing religious activities. It is necessary to clearly distinguish between genuine religious activities and acts of spiritual profiteering, thereby strictly handling violations.

At the same time, it is necessary to step up propaganda and community education, helping people understand correctly the Mother Goddess worship - seeing it as a cultural value, not a tool for seeking wealth or fame. It is necessary to develop documents guiding the practice of standard beliefs, avoiding ostentatious, costly and wasteful forms.

In particular, it is necessary to encourage genuine artisans, mediums, and musicians to participate in teaching and disseminating traditional knowledge, preserving the beauty of the ritual of spirit mediumship and the system of deities. It is possible to establish oriented Mother Goddess Worship Cultural Clubs, creating a space for exchanging experiences among practitioners.

Developing spiritual tourism needs to be linked with cultural and historical education, avoiding turning heritage into mere commercial products. Planning places of worship and organizing festivals in a professional, economical and focused manner. At the same time, encouraging researchers to continue to deepen the values of Mother Goddess worship, providing a scientific basis for conservation work, and strengthening cooperation with UNESCO and international organizations to share experiences.

I believe that preserving the Mother Goddess worship is not only preserving a form of culture, but also protecting a part of the soul of the Vietnamese people. To do so, it requires the synchronous participation of the State, the community and the research community, so that this heritage is not distorted but increasingly spreads in accordance with its inherent value.

- It is known that recently, the Institute for Cultural and Development Studies has regularly coordinated with localities to organize Mother Goddess Worship Practice Festivals. Could you share some of the outstanding results?

- Mr. Nguyen Danh Hoa: That's right! In recent times, the Institute for Cultural and Development Studies has actively organized many festivals to practice the worship of the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms in localities such as Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Lao Cai and Nghe An. These events have attracted a large number of artisans, mediums, incense-holders and the religious community to participate, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage values recognized by UNESCO.

The festivals bring positive effects not only in terms of preservation but also in raising community awareness. Through that, the rituals of Hau Dong, Hat Van and traditional rituals are preserved and introduced to the younger generation and the public. Artists, Cung Van and Thanh Dong have the opportunity to share experiences and teach valuable knowledge.

We organized a festival at Phu Sung Mother Temple (Thanh Hoa) gathering more than 20 artisans and mediums to participate in practicing rituals and performing Chau Van. At Thanh Mau Temple (Ha Tinh), the festival had the participation of many excellent artisans and local authorities, aiming to honor and promote heritage values. Within the framework of Ong Hoang Muoi Temple Festival (Nghe An), the Institute for Cultural and Development Studies directed the National Center for Historical Research and Cultural Heritage Conservation to organize a festival, implementing the National Action Program on protecting and promoting the value of intangible cultural heritage "Practicing the worship of the Mother Goddess of the Three Realms of the Vietnamese people".

Thank you!

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/giu-hon-dan-toc-tu-tin-nguong-tho-mau-post400814.html