Legitimating the belief in HồChí Minh’s spirit
The Peace Society has an open agenda to legitimise the belief in the Jade Buddha.
The pairing of the notions of ‘spiritual revolution’ with ‘heavenly laws’ reflects the
Way of the Jade Buddha’s efforts to legitimise itself through fundamentally transforming
society. There have been efforts to mobilise support from followers and to obtain
official recognition. Madam Xoan wants her beliefs to be widely heard not only by
ordinary people, but also by the central and local authorities.
In this regard, Madam Xoan has approached the local authorities and sought to
register the Peace Society many times over the years without success. The answer she
usually receives from the local authorities is that they cannot make a decision but have
to ‘wait for instructions from the government’ (chờ Nhà nước quyê´t đinḥ ). In the
meantime, she has sought to raise the profile of the Peace Society. Madam Xoan continuously
seeks acceptance and recognition from higher-level authorities. She looks
for support from state officials and from followers whom she believes can speak to
people in power. In 2011, she established a club of well-connected people who
were interested in HồChí Minh’s spirit. About thirty people were invited to join,
including scientists, state officials, and intellectuals whom she knew supported the
legitimation of the faith in his spirit. Some active members of the Society hold important
positions in ministries and government departments. By encouraging such connections,
the Society has sought to mobilise support from intellectuals who are
better placed and able to influence the State’s regulation of this new belief. Further,
in May 2011, Madam Xoan published two major collections of spirit-writing after
ten years, in the form of a desktop-published booklet. The booklet was sent directly
to the highest leaders of the Communist Party, and relevant ministries, as well as local
authorities. It directly asked the government to immediately recognise the Way of the
Jade Buddha. Madam Xoan’s persistent requests for acceptance exhibit no fear of
being suppressed by the authorities.51 During a visit in August 2015, I was told
that she and the local authorities had just come to a verbal and unofficial agreement.
The local authorities promised to respect and not interfere in her cultic affairs. In
return, she was asked not to directly address ‘HồChí Minh’ at any public ritual or
print his name in the Society’s pamphlets. Such negotiations reflect that the Society
has obtained a certain unofficial legitimacy.
At the same time, the Peace Society stresses its contributions to the nation in its
investment of time, labour, and resources — claims that further mobilise its followers’
enthusiastic participation and support. On 27 July 2010, I was invited to an event held
by the Society to celebrate the National Day for Heroic War-Invalids and War-Dead
Soldiers (ngày Thương binh Liêt s ̣ ĩ), one of the many ceremonies that the Society organises
annually. By the time I arrived at 9.30 a.m., many private cars and buses were
parked outside and a crowd of participants occupied all the alleys leading to the temple.
All six neighbouring premises were mobilised for the event. In the front yard of
the temple, hundreds of people were watching a large screen that showed previous
rituals. Centre-stage before the Peace Temple, Madam Xoan was surrounded by all