Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang (Hanoi) shared when witnessing the unsightly scenes at the Buddha's gate: "I go to the pagoda to find peace of mind, but in reality I have to strain myself in the sea of people.
Sharing the same feeling, Ms. Tran Thi Tin (Hanoi) confided that festivals today are being "commercialized" too much, losing their inherent elegance. However, she still chooses to maintain a sincere attitude, silently praying for her family and loved ones.
Cultural researcher - Dr. Nguyen Anh Hong - said that this deviation stems from the fact that some rituals in festivals are no longer truly compatible with modern life. Through the process of researching the distortions of festivals across the country from commercialization, secularization, secularization of festivals...
According to Ms. Hong, there are customs that originally had symbolic meaning in ancient society, but when placed in the current context, they easily lead to inappropriate behaviors.
Dr. Nguyen Anh Hong emphasized that festivals need to be selective and adjusted to adapt, and cannot just keep outdated customs if they cause chaos or distort human values. Festivals must be places where people find beauty, not places to expose chaoticness and disorder.
Sharing this view, Mr. Nguyen Trong Tue - Director of the Institute of Architecture and Eastern Culture Research - analyzed more deeply about the mindset of pilgrims. According to him, going to a civilized pagoda must first start from the heart and correct understanding of beliefs. The reality that people go to pagodas in inappropriate attire or with a mindset of "exchange" is a regrettable misunderstanding. Going to a pagoda in the true sense is to cultivate the mind, nurture character and turn to goodness.
A civilized pilgrim is not only expressed through discreet attire, gentle gestures or patiently queuing, but also lies in awareness.
Just sincerity, even a drop of incense stick oil is enough to complete a feast. The value of that respectful feast is measured by spirit, not material measure" - he assessed.
A beautiful festival can only exist sustainably when each individual is aware that they are a part of the heritage. Maintaining hygiene, not scattering small change indiscriminately or behaving properly at the festival is not only a regulation, but also a cultural measure of each person. Let each spring pilgrimage truly be a journey back to honesty, so that traditional beauty shines completely, instead of leaving dirty images after each festival season passes.
