The Vietnamese Buddhist Association in the Republic of Korea (RoK) held a requiem at Phung An pagoda in Seoul, on March 11, to pray for national peace and prosperity.
Hundreds of Vietnamese Buddhist followers, including migrant
workers, students and members of Vietnam-RoK multicultural families across the
RoK, were present at the event.
Buddhist nun Thich Nu Gioi Tanh, Chairwoman of the
Vietnamese Buddhist Association in the RoK, said that the requiem aims to pay
tribute to the ancestors and soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Vietnam’s
national independence and freedom.
She highlighted the significant contributions made by the
Vietnamese Buddhist community in the RoK to charitable activities both in the
host society and the homeland.
A representative from
the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Central Committee announces a decision to
recognise the Vietnamese Buddhist Association in the RoK as a member of the
VBS.
At the ceremony, a representative from the Vietnam Buddhist
Sangha (VBS) Central Committee announced a decision to recognise the Vietnamese
Buddhist Association in the RoK as a member of the VBS.
The association’s chairwoman pledged to accompany other
Vietnamese associations in the RoK in order to build a strong community of
overseas Vietnamese and significantly contribute to the development of the two
countries’ relations.
Concluding the
requiem, the participants offered incense and released flower garlands to commemorate
the deceased and prayed for a New Year of peace and prosperity.
Source: NDO
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.
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