In Vietnamese culture, there are different belief systems that influence people's understanding and experience of sex. One is Buddhism, which emphasizes the importance of chastity and celibacy until marriage.
Many followers also believe in reincarnation, karma, and past lives, which suggest that sexual pleasure can be redeeming. Folk religions like Taoism focus more on balancing energies and promoting fertility through rituals involving physical contact between couples. These beliefs and practices have shaped Vietnamese attitudes towards sex, including how it should feel, look, sound, smell, taste, and be spoken about.
Buddhist and folk religious values inform moral behavior, but they don't always fit together well with contemporary standards for respectful and consensual interactions between partners.
Some sayings warn against touching women's breasts while others encourage it to increase milk production during breastfeeding. Some couples may struggle to balance their religious teachings and cultural norms with their personal desires. They might avoid discussing sex openly or seek advice from family or clergy members who understand their traditions better than Western therapists do.
Vietnamese people tend to view sex as a private matter, rarely discussed publicly unless necessary for health reasons or legal proceedings. This attitude makes it challenging to study sexuality scientifically, so researchers must rely on surveys, interviews, and observations instead of objective data. Despite these limitations, some studies have found correlations between religious observance and sexual behaviors. Those who practice more traditional faiths are more likely to believe that sex is sacred and only meant for married couples. In contrast, secular young adults often prioritize romantic love over religion when deciding whether to have sex.
The connection between spiritual beliefs and sexuality in Vietnam shows that culture shapes our understanding of intimacy, arousal, desire, consent, and pleasure. It also demonstrates the complexities involved in interpreting data on human behavior across different cultures. As such, scholars should approach this topic carefully and respectfully, acknowledging its sensitivity without making assumptions about what constitutes "normal" or "healthy."
In Vietnam, how do Buddhist and folk religious rituals shape sexual self-awareness, erotic curiosity, and ethical relational behavior?
Evidence suggests that both Buddhism and traditional Vietnamese folk religions have had significant influence on Vietnamese sexuality. These belief systems emphasize a set of moral values that include modesty, chastity, and loyalty. Additionally, they provide a framework for understanding the nature of human relationships and the importance of family and community ties.