Outlining the Phenomenon of Excessive Superstition in Vietnamese Society

Outlining the Phenomenon of Excessive Superstition in Vietnamese Society

I. Structuring an Argument on the Phenomenon of Excessive Superstition in Vietnamese Society

1. Introduction

- Spiritual culture, beliefs, and ancestral worship constitute valuable and distinctive traditional spiritual values that require preservation and reverence.
- However, these beautiful cultural and belief aspects have gradually been distorted, marred by a portion of the population lacking understanding, being excessively superstitious. This distortion is evident in the annual temple festivals.

2. Body

* Explaining the spiritual culture, beliefs, and self-worship of the Vietnamese people:
- It is an indispensable cultural aspect in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese. However, it goes beyond mere reverence for gods and Buddhas to instill a sense of peace and trust in a serene life.
- Expressing deep respect for authorities, heroes, and showcasing the beauty of the Vietnamese character and soul.

* Current situation of excessive superstition in today's festivals:
- The spiritual culture in temple festivals is gradually being distorted, tarnishing the sacred image and destroying the traditional beauty of the nation.

* Discussion:
- Overly superstitious actions such as scattering money, rice, and pushing and shoving during rituals do not bring material prosperity but only reveal the insatiable greed of humanity.
- Life follows a chain of karmic laws, determined and decided by ourselves.
+ Living virtuously and diligently in business will undoubtedly yield deserving rewards.
+ Diligently practicing temple rituals but being lazy and morally corrupt will inevitably result in consequences and misfortune.

* Personal Connection:
- Being aware of excessive and eccentric superstitions to avoid falling into them.
- Actively spreading awareness among friends and family.

3. Conclusion

- Ultimately, the excessive superstition among a portion of the population has had negative impacts on perception, tarnishing the sacred image and posing a challenging issue for society as a whole.
- As Vietnamese citizens, we need to cultivate ethics, excel in education, have a proper understanding of cultural and spiritual activities, be conscious of preserving and promoting the traditional values of our nation, while also preventing unconscious and unsightly actions that could affect the overall development of society and the country.
 

II. Sample Essay on the Phenomenon of Excessive Superstition among the Vietnamese

From ancient times to the present, the act of self-worship, offering prayers, or going to temples on festive days and full moon nights has become an indispensable tradition in the religious culture of the Vietnamese people. These are inherently good and unique spiritual values of the nation that need to be preserved and respected. However, to this day, these beautiful religious and cultural values have been distorted and marred by a segment of people lacking knowledge, indulging in excessive superstitions. This is evident in the annual temple festivals, where many tourists from different regions gather to worship, witnessing the deviation of these cultural practices.

Our ancestors often say, 'Respect and worship bring sanctity, abstinence brings blessings.' The act of paying homage to ancestors or participating in temple ceremonies on the most festive days has become an indispensable cultural aspect in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. However, it goes beyond mere reverence for deities and the Buddha to instill a sense of peace and trust in a tranquil life. It also expresses deep respect for authorities, heroes, showcasing the beauty of the Vietnamese character and soul. This reflects a heart always turning towards the ancestral spirits, towards goodness, and towards the holistic beauty of virtue - benevolence - aesthetics in life. There is nothing to criticize about this, as it makes life and the human soul more beautiful, pure, and positive than ever...(Continued)

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