VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
INSTITUTE OF VIETNAMESE STUDIES AND DEVELOPMENT SCIENCES BUI LE KHANH CHI
COMPARING LEN DONG RITUAL OF
VIETNAMESE AND GUT OF KOREAN
(THE CASE STUDY IN HANOI AND SEOUL) MASTER’S THESIS
Major: Vietnamese Studies Hanoi-2013

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
INSTITUTE OF VIETNAMESE STUDIES AND DEVELOPMENT SCIENCES

3.1. Study subjects 7
3.2. Study scopes 7
3.3. Study goals 7
4. Study methods 7
5. Thesis structure 8
B. CONTENTS 9
CHAPTER 1: INDIVIDUAL GUT OF KOREA FOUNDATION, THE HOLY
MOTHER IN VIETNAM AND THE CLASSIFICATION OF GUT AND LEN
DONG 9
1.1. Foundation of individual Gut in Korea and Holy Mother in VietNam 9
1.1.1. Shamanism of Korea 9
1.1.1.1. Worship the gods in the house 10
1.1.1.2. Ancestors worship 12
1.1.1.3. Worship of the village 14
1.1.2. The Mother Goddess religion (Dao Mau) in Vietnam 15
1.1.2.1. Goddess worship 16
1.1.2.2. The cult of Mother Goddess Custom 18
1.1.2.3. The Pantheon of the Mother Goddess Religion 19
1.2.1. Classification of Len dong 20 2
1.2.1.1. Thanh Dong 21
1.2.1.2. Dong Co 23
1.2.2. Gut classification of Korea 25
1.2.2.1. National Gut 27
1.2.2.2. Village Gut 28
1.2.2.3. Individuals Gut and SenamGut 31
CHAPTER 2: THE DIFFERENT AND SIMILAR BETWEEEN THE RITUAL
OF LEN DONG AND GUT (THE CASE IN SEOUL AND HANOI) 34

3.2. The market trend in the ritual of len dong and Gut 81
3.3. Gender equality and women's rights issues is reflected in the phenomenon of
len Dong 88
LIST OF REFERENCES 100
WORKS LIST OF AUTHOR 104

A. INTRODUCTION
1. The rationale, significances of the study
Religious beliefs is a very important field in every culture, in relation to the
spiritual elements, reflecting the values inherited from one generation to another
generation, represents a part of the human worldview. In the morphological expression of
religious beliefs, Shamanism is a special form of religious, its formation associated with
the tribal mode.
Len dong is the most characteristic practice of the Holy Mother and Gut is Korean
Shaman's ritual. In both countries, we see many similarities in the two rites, it creates
unique features in common denominator Shamanism. In the process of learning about the
religion of the two countries in general and the Holy Mother of Vietnam, Korean
Shamanism in particular, we find that there are many similarities and differences of these
two types of religion. I chose the topic “Len Dong Ritual of Vietnamese and Gut of
Korean (the case study in Hanoi and Seoul)" to study this issue in completing and
detailing the comparison between the level of this important religious ritual. This study
hopes to contribute to provide clearer information about the len dong of Vietnamese and
Gut of Korea.
2. Literature review

 Method comparison
5. Thesis structure
A. Introduction
B. Contents
Chapter 1: Individual Gut of Korea Foundation and the Holy Mother in Vietnam and the
classification of Gut and len dong
Chapter 2: The different and similar between the ritual of len dong and Gut (The case in
Seoul and Hanoi)
Chapter 3: Some issues emerged and further research
C. Conclusions B. CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INDIVIDUAL GUT OF KOREA FOUNDATION, THE HOLY MOTHER IN
VIETNAM AND THE CLASSIFICATION OF GUT AND LEN DONG
1.1. Foundation of individual Gut in Korea and Holy Mother in VietNam
1.1.1. Shamanism of Korea
Shamanism dominated the Korean peninsula and is considered to be the state
religion until about the year 372, when Buddhism was introduced from Jin to Koguryo
and in Paekche about 384. But not when Buddhism was introduced to its heyday (in the
period after reaching three kingdom of Paekche, Koguryo, Shilla) Shamanism lost his
role in the spiritual life of the people. Nowadays, Shamanism continues to develop and
even at this stage it becomes popular with art divination. Three kingdom united, land
was opened, the temple was restored and new construction. Court and his people must
consult Shamanic practitioners about land issue. Not only have people follow
Shamanism but also members of the royal family and nobility. Shamanism still exist in
parallel with the rise of Buddhism in the sixth century. Until sixteenth century Yi
Hwang and Yi I have created two New Confucian opposition in the Korean Peninsula.
When New Confucian accepted as a religious Buddhist country, at this and other
religions are overlooked court. However the Shaman still reigns in the religious

1.1.1.3. Worship of the village
According to Hwang Gwi Yeon and Trinh Cam Lan (2002), from the ancient
worship of the village very much influenced by environmental factors, it dominates at the
livelihood of the villagers. Like Vietnam, people living where the worship of the village
there. Such as those who live in the mountains and prairies, tend to worship the
mountains, the coast, fishermen worship and sacrifice the dragon. Spirit dragon god
brings cooling rains for land plants in times of drought in years. At this time, it held
special ceremonies to worship the dragon god, the god of rain, may have a bumper crop
of affluence.
Village festival is usually held in the morning dawn the day in January
(according to Lunar Calendar), depending on the selected villages given to the
organization. Perform the ritual cult of the village is a special implementation of official
activities related to the village festival. These people must have the parts, and as a perfect
reputation. The gods not only protect the village bring prosperous life for people living,
but also to protect the dead in the village there. Hierarchical relationship between the
gods, from the village to the gods in the house, to the ancestors are arranged orderly in
individual Gut ritual of Korea.
1.1.2. The Mother Goddess religion (Dao Mau) in Vietnam
1.1.2.1. Goddess worship
In cosmological terms the ancient Orient, "yin-yang" is used to to describe how
polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the
natural world, and how they give rise to each other in turn in relation to each other. The
Vietnamese regarded gods: Land, Water, Mountain, Fire as Yin and with female nature,
or Mother nature.
Across the country almost anywhere has the relic worship Goddess. There are
many different goddesses with each role. The formation of Goddess worship is based on
the agricultural economy, residual social network model with a large role of the woman
in labor and production, cultural and creative combat . Goddess worship is natural forms
of human spirit. Elements in nature has an important role related, directly affect human
life, especially for the agricultural population was human mind into the "Mother" to

1.2.2. Gut classification of Korea
- National Gut
- Village Gut
- Individuals Gut and SenamGut
CHAPTER 2: THE DIFFERENT AND SIMILAR BETWEEEN THE RITUAL OF LEN
DONG AND GUT (THE CASE IN SEOUL AND HANOI)
2.1. The way and purposes of the "ra Dong”, “moi Dong”, “di Gut” and “moi Gut”
2.1.1. The way and purposes of the "ra Dong" and "di Gut"
2.1.1.1. In Vietnam
People are free to choose religious beliefs to follow. In Vietnam, almost no force
someone to follow religions other religions, there exists only the case due to the force of
the dominant power in time of war, or given in marriage While not of the same religion
in a religion, or by traditional family has followed religion from before. For the Holy
Mother is going to be a shamanic practitioners (mediums) or not? The answer to this
question, we have had a chance to meet with some of mediums in Hanoi and some
neighborhoods region. They tell us about the reasons and the process of "ra Dong" of
themselves. One thing is very clear that most of the people themselves do not want to
become shamanic practitioners, and a few others is by someone who is mediums and
teach their children. In Vietnam there are two ways to "ra dong". The first is due to the
voluntary and the second is due to the fate.
2.1.1.2. In Korea
In Korea, there are two typical forms of Mutang is Giang Than vu and The Tap vu.
Giang Than vu starts from mental diseases. This means that people are sick
but do not know why, just heard rumors that it was heart disease. Spirit disease will

The variety of objects of worship or the richness of the incarnation in the ritual of
Len Dong in Vietnam and the ritual of Gut in Korea can be explained from the
perspective of society. Because Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country with 50 ethnic groups.
Each nation has a rich system object of worship itself. Korea is the nations single,
homogeneous. So the less difference in the object of worship is also understandable.
Another difference is in the incarnation of Viet Nam does not have the appearance of
village deity as Gut ceremony. Vietnamese festival village tutelary worship on certain
days of the year, depending on each village is different.
2.2.2. The incarnations and the basic functions of incarnation ritual
2.2.2.1. The incarnations
A ritual of len dong often include multiple incarnations, each corresponding to each
of the saint incarnated his body of her actions. A len dong ceremony if mediums
preparing 36 incarnations is full. But up to now almost no case is meant enough 36
incarnations by reason of the time and space.
During the ceremony Gut Mutang will invite all the gods, but not in all gods also
descended and incarnated through the Mutang. Overview of the incarnatins of Gut, it is
divided into three categories for the gods and ancestors.There are good Gods, the god of
evil and the soul of ancestors, the deceased. Most individual Gut ceremony in Seoul
today is to escort the souls of the dead to heaven. Those family members who died
wanted to comfort their souls and control the disaster brought by the dead. This does not
appear in the ceremony of len dong and this is the clear difference in the incarnation as
well as the purpose of "inviting" in Vietnam and Korea.
2.2.2.2. The basic functions of incarnation ritual
Len dong and Gut is incarnated through the mediuma to the treatment of disease,
paying for health, fortune and luck. And the basic functions of incarnation ritual of saints
on the mediums to cure, predict and blessed fortune
In incarnation of Gut ritual notably incarnation of Bari princess. The most
important function of this incarnated to call souls ancestors and the recently deceased.
This function is very similar to the "goi hon" also known as "goi di" in Vietnam. Thus, in
addition to the formal function like the soul entering of Vietnam, Korea's Gut has another

the stage, people will see a team of musicians like liturgical singers in Vietnam, and
Mutang also play music with these musicians.

2.4. Method conducted the rituals of Gut and len dong
2.4.1. The basic elements of the ritual
2.4.1.1. Clothes and tools
In Vietnam, after "ra Dong", the mediums had to shop for her dress almost
depending on their economic conditions. Colors in costumes hau thanh be strict
compliance absolute: Heaven Realm is red, Realm of Earthly is yellow, Realm of
Mounts and Forests is blue, Realm of Water is white. Costumes are designed similar to
the resurrection of the last day or in accordance with the mind of each ethnic group.
For with Gut, Mutang costume is given by the customer. It is the concept that the offered
for Mutang is also offered for their saint. Each Mutang can have a lot of clothes from
their customers.
Costumes are indispensable elements to create a unique artistic features of the len
dong ritual and Gut ritual. In both countries bring colorful costumes, demonstrates how,
title, origin and role of each of the gods. Harmony with music, dance, clothing styles and
colors of it made the unique features within each possessed of particular and general
celebration.
2.4.1.2. Dance and music
Hat van also known as Chau van, hat bong. This is a type of Vietnamese
traditional singing, also a form of music in ritual len dong of the Holy Mother.
The music player in Gut ritual in in Seoul called "ChonAk". At Choson, Gut secret
place in the palace, so the musicians in the palace along with Mutang is true but there are
no records showing that these people are up to servants ChonAk. Today in music players
Seoul called ChonAk.
Music is one of the factors that make mediums sank in ecstasy, sublimation. With
Gut music as make the soul happy, so that the gods bless our customers. Along with the
music is the dance of the gods, that the Vietnamese often called sacred dance. With Gut,
the dances are presented in a more liberal, more motion within most done. Just like

ceremony almost a destiny, almost opening ceremony of the Realm
2.4.2.2. Space
The ceremony was held where is up to medium or the nature of the ceremony or
key family relationship and choose to follow the advice of mediums. For the ceremony to
be sacred and application performance, people held in temples holy church with can
mang of each medium or inviter. For example: if Co Bo, then come to (Ha Nam
province), can Quan Lon De Ngu in Tranh Temple (Hai Duong province), Gut today
celebrated stage performances and nature within the family. Location may be in the
client's home or at the home of Mutang. All steps of the ritual Gut must be conducted in a
certain space.
2.4.3. The process of the len dong ritual and Gut ritual
The process of the len dong ritual and Gut ritual of the two countries is completely
different, because the worship of the gods and the purpose of the ceremony is different.
Len Dong ritual are divided into three main stages. It's Dang so Ceremony, cung
chung sinh ritual and len dong ceremony, including len dong is the main ceremony.
According to the time order and the steps taken in a len dong incarnation can be divided
into as follows: Face covering veil, descends, burning the followers to use magic, dance,
deliver loc, listen to chau van, leaves.
SenamGut be divided into Antangsakyongmachi and SenamGut.
Antangsakyongmachi include Chutangmulrim , Pulsakori, Chongkamang, Chosangkori,
Sangsankori, Pyongsangkori, Sinchangkori, Taekamkori, Chosokkori and Changpukori.
Antangsakyongmachi mainly differs with holidays SenamGut in the ritual is carried out
only in front of the altar large put TaeAnchusang and Pulsasang. The order of SenamGut
be conducted according to the steps is: Senampuchong, Kamangchongpe, Chungtypatsan,
Sachasamsungkori, Malmi, Toryong, Munturul, Yongsil, Antoryong, Sangsik,
TuytYongSil, PeChe, SiWangKunUngKori, TuytChon .
When Gut rites ended, Mutang will blow all over the altar and sharing a bit of
fruit, cake Took to the participants.
In parallel with the development of economy, the rituals of religious also
somewhat modified. This creates the conditions for the inclusion of more open place,
especially in acquiring, creating unique value in special ceremonies are from the same
language to meet the needs of society. However, the negative aspects of the change in
rituals such as the "commercialize religion", "superstition", to use religious beliefs to
fraud continues in the direction most form their sophisticated. This is always a
headache issue managers and agencies.
3.3. Gender equality and women's rights issues is reflected in the
phenomenon of len Dong
In many of the studies is still a perception that women are excluded from religious
life in the village. That is only true in some cases, such as the divine system associated
with the Confucianism as tutelary village, ancestors, national heroes. Left we see a shrine
to Buddha or in the Mother temple, in which the role belongs to women. "[28,tr.193]. The
Holy Mother is not only that the right to equality between men and women, but also
somewhat more favorably with women. People still see the Holy Mother as one of the
safest cure for women, by there the gods are female. Gender equality in rights on len
dong does not stop men and women, but in this day and age of the third world, also
known as gay people involved in the len dong on a rise.
The Mother Goddess religion has helped women express their power, the power
that exists mostly in the form of "virtual power" or "spiritual power". In addition there is
also the existence of real power - the power of the family. From step into virtual reality, it
is a process of self-struggle of the first woman to win yourself and then the society to
express his desire for a better life, discharge the feeling, the pent in mind.
C. CONCLUSION
Two religions exist in two different countries, The Mother Goddess religion with
len dong ritual and Shamanism of Korean with Gut ceremony but carry a common
denominator as Shaman religion. The comparison between these two ceremonies will be
for the national identity of each country and folklore are kept to this day is still a matter
of research interest.
The Mother Goddess religion of Vietnam and Shaman religion of Korea is two