Transformations of Funeral Rites of Tứ Ân Hiếu Nghĩa’s Believers in Tri Tôn District, An Giang Province

Abstract

Tu An Hieu Nghia religion always guides believers
to sincerity, goodness, beauty, and faith in a world without
suffering, transmigration (samsara). Therefore, all aspects of
the spiritual and material life of the believers are influenced
by religious ideals. For the followers of Tu An Hieu Nghia
religion in Tri Tôn district, An Giang province, it is clearly
showed in daily cultural behavior and the rituals and
practices. Despite being the Vietnamese, the funeral rites of
Tu An Hieu Nghia religion’s believers in Tri Tôn district, An
Giang province have many differences affected by their
religious characteristics (according to the teachings of their
Founder). However, as a result of influences from the outside
and changes from the inside, the funeral customs of the Tu An
Hieu Nghia religion’s believers are no longer the same as
traditional ones. This article indicates the funeral rites and
rules of followers, changes of the current funeral rituals and
the causes led to changes