Vietnamese Supernaturalism: Views from the Southern Region (Anthropology of Asia)

The beliefs and practices surrounding the meanings and symbols of the spirit world in Vietnam are explored in detail in this innovative study on popular religion in the country. The author shows an abiding interest in the 'subconscious life' at a grassroots level alongside rational formations of cosmological understanding which effect politics and economics on a national scale. By bringing together oral histories, reports and fiction writing alongside more conventional documented sources, this book reveals an area of history which has been largely neglected. Popular Religion In Southern Vietnam Is Often Regarded As An Indefinable Mix Of Many Different Beliefs, Meanings And Symbols With Little Pattern Or Explanation. In Contrast, This Book Highlights That The Beliefs And Practices Of The Vietnamese Can Be Discerned Through Four Distinct, Yet Overlapping, Spheres And That The Varing Attitudes Which Exist Towards The Spirit World Are A Direct Result Of Unique Historical And Environmental Circumstances. Vietnamese Supernaturalism Examines A Wide Range Of Religious Customs, From Trance Possession Practices To Styles Of Self-cultivation, Against Several Different Backgrounds Including Migration Settlement And The Effect Of Colonialism. Despite The Ostensible Differences Within The Practices Of 'popular Religion', Thien Do Controversially Demonstrates Two Consistent Similarities: An Abiding Interest In The Altered State Of Consciousness And The Daily Acts Of Survival Employed In Order To Evade Or Resist Domination. By Bringing Together Oral Histories, Reports And Fiction Writing Alongside More Conventional Documented Sources, This Book Reveals An Area Of History Which Has Been Largely Neglected. It Will Prove To Be A Valuable Resource To Students Of Asian Studies, Anthropolgy And All Those With An Interest In The Culture And History Of Vietnam.--jacket. 1. The Dinh -- 2. Platform For The Immortals -- 3. Trance And Shadows -- 4. Self-cultivation -- 5. Daoists From The Mountain -- App. A. Translation Of Certificate From King Tu Duc -- App. B. Procedure For Services At Dan Tien Temples -- App. C. Sample Poems From Spirit-writing Sessions -- App. D. Huynh Van Nga's Ballad -- App. E. Le Thai Sanh's Poems -- App. F. From An Ha Nhat Bao -- App. G. Texts Of A Sorcerer's Invocation. Thien Do. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [278]-293) And Index. "Popular religion in southern Vietnam is often regarded as an indefinable mix of many different beliefs, meanings and symbols with little pattern or explanation. In contrast, this book highlights that the beliefs and practices of the Vietnamese can be discerned through four distinct, yet overlapping, spheres and that the varing attitudes which exist towards the spirit world are a direct result of unique historical and environmental circumstances." "Vietnamese Supernaturalism examines a wide range of religious customs, from trance possession practices to styles of self-cultivation, against several different backgrounds including migration settlement and the effect of colonialism. Despite the ostensible differences within the practices of 'popular religion', Thien Do controversially demonstrates two consistent similarities : an abiding interest in the altered state of consciousness and the daily acts of survival employed in order to evade or resist domination." "By bringing together oral histories, reports and fiction writing alongside more conventional documented sources, this book reveals an area of history which has been largely neglected. It will prove to be a valuable resource to students of Asian studies, anthropology and all those with an interest in the culture and history of Vietnam."--Résumé de l'éditeur Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Illustrations......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 13 Abbreviations......Page 15 Introduction......Page 20 1 The dình......Page 38 2 Platform for the Immortals......Page 82 3 Trance and shadows......Page 109 4 Self-cultivation......Page 151 5 Daoists from the Mountain......Page 184 Conclusion......Page 226 Appendix A......Page 230 Appendix B......Page 231 Appendix C......Page 234 Appendix D......Page 240 Appendix E......Page 242 Appendix F......Page 245 Appendix G......Page 246 Notes......Page 247 Bibliography......Page 297 Index......Page 313