Young people criticised for behaviour at religious sites
Trinh Hoa Binh, head of Vietnam Sociology Association has criticised young people for wearing revealing clothes at pagodas or being violent at festivals.
According to Binh, a number of young people not only lack knowledge about traditional culture but also have distorted points of view about lifestyle.
"In addition, offensive behaviour at pagodas or temples are also caused by herd mentality. For example, some people ran and fought for the blessed offerings or throw money carelessly at the pagodas because they imitated other people without thinking," he said.
He went on to say that many people were disappointed or lost belief in their lives and had brought all the negative emotions to the pagodas.
"There are mostly symbolic fights in the traditional culture but now the fights are real. People show their greed and disappointment in life when they use violence at festivals in order to obtain the blessed prize," Binh said.
At the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, a huge number of young people climbed the walls and fences to touch the turtles' head for luck. A 12th grader also climbed the fence with the hope that he will pass the university entrance exam.
On February 9, people fought and trampled each other for phet ball at Hien Quan Festival in Phu Tho Province. Only 100 men were allowed to participate but thousands of people trampled down the security fences to get in.
Hoang Van Thanh, a student at Hanoi University, said, "I visited Hoang Muoi Temple to pray for success in school. I actually don't know who Hoang Muoi is, I was told that the place is really powerful, any wish can come true."
Not just throwing money carelessly at pagodas, many people also litter the places with cigarettes.
Luong Thi Hoan, a student at Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities, was also upset. She said, "Female visitors shouldn't wear a short skirt or small tops. Going to the Huong Pagoda, visitors have to climb hundreds of steps so everything is revealed to those behind and I felt embarrassed."
According to Binh, a number of young people not only lack knowledge about traditional culture but also have distorted points of view about lifestyle.
"In addition, offensive behaviour at pagodas or temples are also caused by herd mentality. For example, some people ran and fought for the blessed offerings or throw money carelessly at the pagodas because they imitated other people without thinking," he said.
He went on to say that many people were disappointed or lost belief in their lives and had brought all the negative emotions to the pagodas.
"There are mostly symbolic fights in the traditional culture but now the fights are real. People show their greed and disappointment in life when they use violence at festivals in order to obtain the blessed prize," Binh said.
At the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, a huge number of young people climbed the walls and fences to touch the turtles' head for luck. A 12th grader also climbed the fence with the hope that he will pass the university entrance exam.
On February 9, people fought and trampled each other for phet ball at Hien Quan Festival in Phu Tho Province. Only 100 men were allowed to participate but thousands of people trampled down the security fences to get in.
Thousands of young men fight for phet ball at the annual Hien Quan Festival in Phu Tho Province on February 9
Hoang Van Thanh, a student at Hanoi University, said, "I visited Hoang Muoi Temple to pray for success in school. I actually don't know who Hoang Muoi is, I was told that the place is really powerful, any wish can come true."
Not just throwing money carelessly at pagodas, many people also litter the places with cigarettes.
Luong Thi Hoan, a student at Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities, was also upset. She said, "Female visitors shouldn't wear a short skirt or small tops. Going to the Huong Pagoda, visitors have to climb hundreds of steps so everything is revealed to those behind and I felt embarrassed."
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