Many of you grew up experiencing Hmong shamanism~ The hmong culture revolves around shamanism; the spiritual world of our ancestors and the dead. This religion carries a deep root that has been practices for centuries.
But there is a problem with this religion! Especially if you're living in America. One major problem with Hmong shamanism is that it doesn't teach people morals. Hmong shamanism is a form of communication with the spiritual world. If a person doesn't believe in spirituality - Hmong religion is just one big joke!
But lets dissect the religion into 3 catagories.
1) Does this religion engage people's morality and humanity? No
2) Does this religion help give people enlightment and salvation? No
3) Does this religion create fear and caution? Yes
Why are you afraid when an elder says "your spirit has left your body." This fear and panic creates even more stress- and could cause you to become more sick. The "fear" tatic.
Why doesn't Hmong Shamanism teach morality and good judgement~ If it did; the hmong culture would be very different. Certain religion teaches "right from wrong" but Hmong shamanism lacks those teachings. Shamanism teaches fear and prevention. It doesn't teach moral values that can build a person to have good judgement.
If a person lacks good judgement; there will be violence and destruction~ We see this in many Hmong families.
Religion is suppose to build a foundation for the people/family/community. If a religion is only used as a "fear" tactic and a tool for healing. There is no value~ in it. The truth; spiritual healing is does not work~ it's a form of mental healing.
If you raise your children around Shamanism; make sure to teach them good values and behaviors. Many hmong parents forget to teach moral values to their children~ this always leads to abuse and violence in the future.
Usually those who leave the Hmong culture are the ones who do not understand and do not have a good knowledge of Hmong culture themselves. I often hear Hmong Christians say that Hmong ghuab ke simply sends the souls back to China, a big misunderstandi
ng.
No, Hmong shamanism doesn't teach much about morality, but that does not mean it doesn't touch on the issue at all. Before the shaman performs, he burns a few pieces of paper and cast a couple times of rice grain to the pig telling the pig why it is chosen and what the shaman has for it after its death. Before the guy performs, he burns a few pieces of paper to his shamanic spirits, and then he burns a few to the spirits in the house asking their permission and guidance.
During the performance, when the shaman goes to the owner's house, he can't just enter the house. He has to let the spirits in the house know who he is, who asked him to come, and the reason why he is coming. These can be considered as some moral principles for us, but it is just us that do not listen and do not pay attention to what the shaman is teaching us.
No religion is perfect. There are always pros and cons within each religion. However, to wipe out a religion just because you do not believe it or just because your religion teaches you that that religion is wrong is a mistake. In fact, anyone who has that attitude is lacking morality himself.
Topic: Hmong Shamanism Should be Eliminated (Read 59266 times)