1. Ancestor Worship:
a. Meaning:
- Ancestor worship is the belief in the existence of spirits. Vietnamese people believe that there is a close connection between the living and the deceased. They believe that the deceased still exist and watch over their descendants to bring peace and blessings.
- Ancestor worship has long been a custom, a moral standard, and a principle of being human. It is an important part of the spiritual life of Vietnamese people.
b. Worship Rituals:
- Vietnamese families usually have an ancestral altar. The decoration and arrangement of the altar vary among families. The altar is a place to remember and is considered a small world of the deceased. It is always placed in the highest, cleanest, and most solemn place in the house.
- Annually, on the death anniversary of the deceased, the family prepares offerings, lights incense, and prays. Additionally, during Tet (Lunar New Year), Vietnamese people also worship ancestors, inviting them to celebrate Tet with the family.
- During funerals, ancestor worship is expressed through rituals like lighting incense and making offerings.
2. Buddhist ritual:
a. Meaning:
- Buddhism has a profound influence on the spiritual and cultural life of Vietnamese people, including funeral rituals. These rituals aim to help the soul of the deceased attain liberation and enter the realm of Buddha.
- In Buddhism, it is believed that prayers and chanting can help the deceased release their past life's karmic debts and be reborn into a better life.
- Monks play a central role in guiding and performing Buddhist funeral rituals and also provide spiritual support to the bereaved family.
b. Buddhist Funeral Rituals:
Include three main ceremonies:
- Praying Ceremony: A significant ritual often led by monks, praying for the soul of the deceased to be liberated.
- Cremation Ceremony: In some cases, the deceased is cremated, and the ashes are kept in a temple.
- Sutra Reading Ceremony: Monks read and chant sutras throughout the funeral period to bring peace to the soul of the deceased.
3. Confucian Values:
a. Meaning:
- Confucianism, with its ethical and moral values, profoundly impacts the views and organization of funerals in Vietnam.
- Values such as filial piety, propriety, and respect for ancestors and the deceased are highly emphasized in funerals.
- Confucianism promotes adherence to proper rituals. Therefore, every action and attitude of the descendants during the funeral must follow established norms.
- Respect and reverence for the deceased and ancestors are mandatory, reflected in how funerals and related rituals are conducted.
b. Confucian Funeral Rituals:
- Filial Piety Ceremony: This ritual shows the descendants' respect and devotion to the deceased, including making offerings and ancestor worship.
- Solemn Funeral Ceremony: Funerals must be conducted with solemnity, showing respect and mourning for the deceased.
- Wedding During Mourning: In some cases, if a family member is about to get married but a death occurs, a mourning wedding ceremony will be held to avoid breaking taboos.
4. Funeral Procession, Offerings and Rituals
The funeral procession is a significant part of the funeral ceremonies. It is the journey where the deceased is taken from their home or a funeral home to the burial site. The procession is often led by a religious leader or a person of respect, who guides the way. Family members, friends, and loved ones follow behind, walking in silence to show their respect and mourning.
In some cultures, the procession is accompanied by music or chanting, which help guide the spirit of the deceased to the afterlife. The pace is slow, reflecting the solemnity of the occasion. Along the way, people may stop to perform rituals, offer prayers, or burn incense as a final farewell to the departed.
-Offerings and Rituals:
In many cultures, rituals and offerings are important parts of funerals. They help honor the deceased and support their journey to the afterlife.
Before the funeral, the family carefully prepares offerings such as food, incense, and symbolic paper items. These offerings are meant to provide comfort and necessities for the deceased in the afterlife. During the funeral, family members take turns burning incense and offering it, often while bowing, to show respect and maintain a connection with the deceased.
Food offerings, like the deceased's favorite dishes or culturally significant items, are placed on an altar. Symbolic paper offerings, like paper money or paper houses, are often burned to provide the deceased with what they need in the afterlife.
At the end of the funeral, a final offering or prayer is made to say a last, heartfelt goodbye before burial. Even after the funeral, families may continue to make offerings on special anniversaries or during traditional festivals to honor the deceased
5.Mourning period
The mourning period in Vietnam is a special time when family and friends remember and honor someone who has passed away. This period is marked by traditions that show deep respect for the deceased. It usually lasts from one to three years, giving the family time to grieve and pay their respects.
During the mourning period, family members often stay away from happy events like weddings or parties to show their sorrow. They usually wear white or black clothes, colors that represent mourning in Vietnamese culture. Some may also wear a piece of white cloth around their head or arm to show they are grieving.
Throughout this time, the family performs rituals to honor the deceased. These include making offerings of food, incense, and other items at the family altar. These offerings are believed to provide comfort and necessary items for the deceased in the afterlife, helping them on their journey.
6. Tomb Sweeping
Tomb sweeping is an important tradition in Vietnam. It’s when families visit the graves of their ancestors to clean and show respect. This tradition usually happens during special times, like the Thanh Minh festival in spring or on the anniversary of a loved one’s death.
During tomb sweeping, families clean the area around the grave by removing weeds, sweeping away dirt, and tidying up the space. If needed, they may also repaint or repair the tombstone. After cleaning, they place offerings like food, flowers, and incense at the grave to honor the deceased.
This tradition is often done with the whole family, including children, so they can learn the importance of remembering and honoring their ancestors.
7. Reincarnation Beliefs
Reincarnation Beliefs in Vietnamese Culture
Concept of Reincarnation:
Vietnamese culture holds the belief that death is not the end but rather a transition to another life. Reincarnation is central to this worldview.
Souls are believed to continue their journey, being reborn into new bodies.
Karma and Rebirth:
Karma plays a significant role in determining the next life. Good deeds lead to a better rebirth, while negative actions result in a less favorable existence.
Families often perform rituals to accumulate positive karma for the deceased.
Rituals to Support the Souls of the Deceased
Funeral Ceremonies:
Elaborate funeral ceremonies are conducted to honor the departed soul.
Offerings, prayers, and chants are part of these rituals, seeking blessings for the soul’s journey.
Ancestor Worship:
Vietnamese families maintain ancestral altars at home.
Regular offerings and prayers are made to support the ancestors’ souls, ensuring their well-being in the afterlife.