According to cultural researchers, the custom of burning votive paper originates from the concept that the deceased still continue their lives in the "other world", so they need utensils and items like in the mortal world. Over time, votive paper gradually becomes a part of the religious life of many Vietnamese people. However, along with the changes in modern life, burning votive paper also has many changes.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Dinh (Institute of Ethnology, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) said that in the early stages, the appearance of votive paper was once considered a way to replace real objects in funeral rituals, both reducing costs and being symbolic.
People see that burying real objects, especially real people, with the dead is both wasteful and inhumane. Therefore, votive paper appears as a way to simulate production tools, household items and substitute figures instead of real objects and real people buried with the dead," he analyzed.
However, if in the past many families only burned a few sets of paper clothes and a little symbolic gold coins, now many people buy mansions, cars, phones or paper technology items to burn for the deceased.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Dinh, many people believe that parents and relatives in the afterlife also need to enjoy modern amenities like in the mortal world. It is this psychology of filial piety that makes the votive paper market increasingly rich, with many items made elaborately, large in size and high in price.
However, excessive burning of votive paper also entails many consequences. Many types of votive paper currently made from raw materials can affect the environment and health. Careless burning of votive paper also poses a risk of fire and explosion, especially during holidays and Tet.
In addition, chasing the psychology of "the more you burn, the more you show filial piety" sometimes also creates pressure, comparison, or a competitive psychology in the community.
However, experts also added that changing a long-standing custom cannot happen in a day or two, and there needs to be wider and stronger propaganda in the community.
Activities expressing sincerity and gratitude to ancestors should originate from the heart. The heart is the most noble and clearest expression," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Dinh emphasized.
In modern life, many families have also chosen simpler ways of remembering such as lighting incense sticks, preparing offering meals, taking care of ancestors' graves, doing good deeds or spending time reuniting with family during holidays and Tet. That is also a way to preserve the tradition of filial piety while still being in line with today's rhythm of life.
