RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES ON VIETNAM
I understand there to be copious amounts
of influential events which triggered trends in Vietnamese culture. The Chinese
influence in Vietnam may have likely led to its communist political system.
Vietnamese nationalism may have contributed to the difficulties the French faced
during its colonization of Vietnam. However, I believe that the most relevant
contribution to contemporary Vietnamese culture is the religious diversity and
how it contributes to Vietnam’s closed-door economic and political philosophies.
Buddhism is the primary religion in Vietnam. Buddhists believe that the way
to become “enlightened” is to understand the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism and
to follow the Eight-Fold Path. Basically, I understand Buddhism to be a very
internal religion based on the spirituality of the self. Various forms of
meditation and intense study coupled with the eradication of desire lead to a
very defined lifestyle with little or no need for external human interaction.
Once a Buddhist has achieved what is considered to be the proper behavior and
proper knowledge called for by the Eight Fold Path, and after a Buddhist has
spent many years manipulating his or her dharma, Buddhists tend to leave behind
all belongings and travel forth into the wilderness trying to achieve nirvana.
This religious practice, in my opinion, has had a significant impact on the
Vietnamese culture and the way they interact with outsiders. The fact that the
Vietnamese are not exceedingly eager to be invaded by foreign corporations and
capitalism makes sense; capitalism is not a prerequisite to Buddhism.
Taoism
was also introduced to medieval Vietnam and is still noticeably practiced there
today. Taoists believe that the way to achieve enlightenment is through chaos.
Doing nothing and letting nature take its course without human interference are
the methods by which Taoists feel most spiritual. Although I do not feel that
there is a strong aroma of Taoism in contemporary Vietnam, I nonetheless deduce
that it had a significant impact on Vietnamese trends. Compared to Buddhism and
certainly Confucianism, which is discussed below, Taoism was an extremely
outlandish concept to the Vietnamese when it was first introduced. The fact that
sloth and confusion were being rejoiced in a time of awareness and filial piety
must have caused a certain sense of segregation in the Vietnamese community.
Confucianism is the last of three relevant religions which were introduced
into medieval Vietnam. Confucius preached that filial piety and ancestor warship
were critical to attaining enlightenment. He believed that rigorous study and
intense meditation were critical in order for his followers to have enough
insight to reach nirvana. I believe that the effects of this practiced religion
are still very prevalent in Vietnam, as witnessed by the multiple shrines and
altars, found in several Vietnamese households. The residual effects of this
religion also greatly contribute to Vietnam’s trendy version of the Monroe
Doctrine. Ancestor worship becomes exceedingly difficult when a McDonald’s has
taken the place of grandpa’s Cha Gio Restaurant.
In short, I believe that
all three religions introduced to medieval Vietnam contribute to its lack of
desire to become like the United States. Achieving the knowledge of Buddha,
understanding the relevance of Taoist nature, and Confucius’ worship of
ancestors have all been compiled to identify contemporary Vietnam. None of these
aspects coincide with the American desire to make Vietnam capitalist.