The Cult of Guan Gong in the Endogenous Religions in the South of Vietnam

Abstract

The endogenous religions in the South (Cochinchine) in the modern period, such as Bửu Sơn Kỳ Hương, Tứ Ân Hiếu Nghĩa, Cao Đài, Hòa Hảo Buddhism, etc... have absorbed the cult of Quan Công (Guan Gong) in some extent. These religions considered Quan Công as a divine who blessed people. This article clarifies the characteristics of the cult of Quan Công in Tứ Ân Hiếu Nghĩa and Caodaism. Then, it compares the cult of Quan Công of the Vietnamese Chinese at the early time, thereby indicating the specific characteristics of the cult of Quan Công in the endogenous religions in the South.