TTLV: Supply chain and consumption of votive offerings (case study of some households in Yen Coc village, Hong Phong commune, Chuong My district, Hanoi city)

MASTER'S THESIS INFORMATION

1. Student's full name:Nguyen Van Phai                                  

2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: August 16, 1990

4. Place of birth: Nam Phuong Tien commune, Chuong My district, Hanoi city

5. Decision on recognition of students No. 3215/2014/QD-XHNV-SDH, dated December 31, 2014 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in the training process:

7. Thesis topic name:Supply chain and consumption of votive offerings (case study of some households in Yen Coc village, Hong Phong commune, Chuong My district, Hanoi city)

8. Major: Anthropology Code: 60.31.03.02

9. Scientific instructor:Associate Professor, Dr. Dinh Hong Hai, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

10. Summary of thesis results:

Through the process of studying and researching the topic of "supply chain and consumption of votive goods", we would like to draw some conclusions as follows:

Since the period of national renovation, especially since 1990, Vietnam has undergone comprehensive changes in all areas of social life, including the field of religion and belief. The transformation of economic and social fields has had a strong impact on the field of religion and belief. In that context, religious activities and services in general, and the demand for production, trade and use of votive offerings in particular, have favorable conditions to "revive" and develop again.

The analysis of the supply chain and consumption of votive offerings of two families in Yen Coc village, Hong Phong commune shows that the production and consumption of votive offerings on the market today is very diverse and quite complicated. However, the common feature is the trend of increasing specialization. Research on the use of votive offerings in Quang Trung village in particular and Huu Van commune in general shows that votive offerings are now used more in people's religious activities, especially on traditional days and ceremonies. In addition, the size, design and quality of votive offerings that people here buy for the dead and gods are also diverse. The objects to which the living "send" or "give" votive offerings are also very diverse, in which the most are ancestors and some gods of traditional beliefs.

Votive offerings have a significant value and role in the spiritual and social life of Vietnamese people today. This religious item represents the tradition of gratitude not only between the living and the dead and the gods, but also between the living and the living. That originates from the morality of “remembering the source when drinking water” and “remembering the person who planted the tree when eating fruit” which has been deeply ingrained in the lifestyle of Vietnamese people. Therefore, votive offerings are indispensable in religious ceremonies, especially in the Mother Goddess worship. In addition, votive offerings are also items that create aesthetics and solemnity in sacred spaces, contributing to creating “a real world” for the participants in the ceremony according to their imagination; it is also a symbol expressing the social status and economic conditions of the user; the desire to receive protection and blessings from the souls of ancestors and gods.

11. Practical application:

12. Further research directions:

13. Published works related to the thesis:

Pham Van Thanh and Nguyen Van Phai (2015), "Results and trends of religious research in Vietnam through some sources of documents",Religious Studies,No. 1 (139), pp. 100-116

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Nguyen Van Phai 2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: August 16^th, 19904. Place of birth: Nam Phuong Tien Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi City

5. Admission decision number: 3215/2014/QD-XHNV-SDH, dated December 31^st, 2014 by Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in academic process:

7. Official thesis title: Supply chain and consumption of voting objects (A case study in some households in Yen Coc Hamlet, Hong Phong Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi City)

8. Major: Anthropology Code: 60.31.03.02

9. Supervisor: Assoc.Prof.Dr. Dinh Hong Hai, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

10. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

Through studying and researching on the title “Supply chain and consumption of votive subjects”, we would like to give some conclusions as follows:

Since the period of national renewal, especially since 1990, Vietnam has had a radical change in the various areas of social life, including religion and belief. Changes of economy and society have powerful impact religion and belief. In this context, religious activities, religious services in general and demand for production, trading and use of votive subjects in general have favorable conditions to "revive" and develop again.

The analysis of supply chain and votive object consumption of two families in Yen Coc hamlet, Hong Phong commune shows that the production and consumption of votive objects in current market are diversified and relatively complex. However, common feature is the development trend of specialization. The research on use of votive objects in Quang Trung hamlet in particular and Huu Van commune in general shows that votive objects are currently used more in religious activities of local people, especially, in traditional occasions. Moreover, the sizes, models and quality of votive objects bought by local people to decedents and gods are diversified. There is a variety of targets “sent” or “presented” voting objects by local people, in which ancestors and some gods of traditional faith are mostly received.

Votive objects play a relatively important role in spiritual life and social life of Vietnamese people. These religious objects reflect the tradition of deep gratitude expressed by the living to the dead and gods, and by the living to the living. Such tradition originates from the moral standards of Vietnamese people “When drinking water, remember its source” and “When eating fruit, think of who planted the tree”. For this reason, votive objects are essential to religious rites, especially Mother Goddess worship. In addition, votive objects create aestheticism and solemnity for sacred locations and contribute to forming “a real world” for rite participants according to their imagination. Also, votive objects reflect social positions and economic conditions of the users, who pray for protection and support from ancestors and gods.

11. Practical applicability, if any:

12. Further research directions, if any:

13. Thesis-related publications:

Pham Van Thanh and Nguyen Van Phai (2015), “achievement and trends in religious study in Vietnam through some documentary resources”,Religious Studies, No. 1 (139), p.100-116