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Proposal 1 of Master Phuc

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Proposal on rites commemorating the founding master
Senior Master Le Van Phuc

 

I.        Introduction 

 

Traditionally, every year around the world, every organization of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao celebrates the feast of the foundation and commemorates its founding master.

On the occasion of this annual gathering are organized exams degrees, ceremonies belts and competitions or cups. This is a beautiful custom advocating homecoming in memory of the founder of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao: the late Master Nguyen Loc.

Ancient culture steeped in Vietnam reflects the gratitude to his parents and ancestors, this ritual is a way to honor the master who sent us this invaluable cultural heritage that Vovinam Viet Vo Dao.

This tradition should not be regarded as religious or mystical event. It is practiced for over forty years by all federations and associations Vovinam Viet Vo Dao in the world, not practiced in other Japanese martial arts, Korean or Chinese.

I congratulate all the masters and leaders who helped to perpetuate this beautiful practice  

 

II.      Specific changes

 

Over time, and especially since ten years, the celebration of the foundation is no longer reserved exclusively for Master founder but several deceased masters. Thus, on the altar of the founder Nguyen Loc, also contained photos master Tran Huy Phong, Lê Sáng, Mạnh Hoàng, Trinh Ngoc Minh ... by region or country.

However small they may be, all these changes have raised the issue of standardization of the ceremony. In addition, they created chaotic situations such as: what masters add to the altar? What about the labeling of photos? What types of photos? Photos master standing or sitting? With large or small photo? Photo in color or black and white?

Without denying all contributions of these masters to whom we give all respect and gratitude, the feast of the foundation should only celebrate the founding master Nguyen Loc and not the other masters.

We celebrate Christmas well as the day of Jesus and not the day of other saints is rather on November 1!  

 

III.    Proposal

 

On the occasion of the 8th World Congress of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao masters, I propose the following vote to standardize the practice of the annual ceremony of the foundation: 

 

1-    Present on the altar only the picture of the founding master Nguyen Loc. 

 

2-    Prohibit religious rituals such as reciting Buddhist mantras or Buddhists or Catholics present flags or others religions. 

 

3-    Allow practices such as worshiping the founding master disappeared with incense sticks which are signs of respect regardless of religious rituals. 

 

4-    Prohibit sterile debate outside of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao as we are a non-political, cultural organization and not religious. 

 

5-    Allow, in the historical discourse of the master founder Nguyen Loc, add the patriarchs masters Tran Huy Phong and Le Sang and, at the discretion of each organization, other masters who contributed greatly to the development of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao. 

 

 

 

Washington DC April 05, 2016

 

Senior master Lê Văn Phúc