BUDDHISM AND TAOISM IN THE WORSHIP OF THE SOULS OF VIETNAMESE PEOPLE

Abstract

: In Vietnam, many folk beliefs exist. However, not many of these beliefs havebecome
customary. Among those that have is the belief of worshiping souls. Similar toother folk beliefs, in
the constant exchange and changes of cultural flows, this belief has been influenced by foreign
religions, including Buddhism and Taoism. During the development process of the Vietnamese
nation, Buddhism and Taoism had a great influence on the spiritual life, traditions, and culture of the
nation, especially in the lives of working people. At the beginning of their introduction in Vietnam,
Buddhism and Taoism had similar long-standing beliefs. The belief in liberation and the cult of
magic, witchcraft, and talismans of ancient Vietnamese people created favorable conditions for the
cultivation of Buddhism and Taoism. On the basis of studying ancient bibliographies and learning
about the facts in some localities in Vietnam, this article systematically presents the custom of
worshiping souls and identifies the influence of Buddhism and Taoism on this belief in Vietnam.