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NGUYEN THI VANCONFUCIANISM “THREE OBEDIENCES AND FOUR VIRTUES” THEORY AND ITS IMPACTS ON VIETNAMESE WOMEN NOWADAYS Code : 62 22 80 05 Summary of doctoral thesis HANOI - 2014... Besidespo

NGUYEN THI VAN

CONFUCIANISM “THREE OBEDIENCES AND FOUR VIRTUES” THEORY AND ITS IMPACTS

ON VIETNAMESE WOMEN NOWADAYS

Code : 62 22 80 05

Summary of doctoral thesis

HANOI - 2014

Supervisor: Prof Dr NGUYEN HUNG HAU

Defender No 1:

Defender No 2:

Defender No 3:

The Thesis will be defended in front of Thesis Defense Committee at

Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics

At hour day month 2014

Further information: National Linbrary of Vietnam and Library of Ho Chi

Minh National Academy of Politics

1 Rationale

Confucianism was born in Spring and Autumn- Warring StatesPeriod This is the most turbulent time with significant fluctuations inChinese history.In such context, Confucianismfollowers explained socialmatters and wished to find out the methods in order to bring the societyfrompolitical chaos to prosperity One of those methods is human ethicseducation

Human ethics education of Confucianismfocused on fundamentalcategories such as ThreeBonds (King-teacher-father), FivePrecepts

(Diligence - Temperance - Dignity - Integrity - Fortitude), and

legitimacy theory For women, the Confucianismeducated through Three Obediences and Four Virtues.

Confucianism was brought to our country in the Chinese domination

of Vietnam When Confucianism came into Vietnam, it was modified tosuit the the peaceful nature of the Vietnamese people In the feudal period,Vietnam feudal class used Confucianismas a tool to establish the socialstability and order, and to maintain thedomination of ruling class Amongethics contents of Confucianism, Three Obediences and Four Virtues werefundamental ethics education categories for women This ideology affectedthe role, position, and life of Vietnamese women intensively Besidespositive values, “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” theory had manynegative impacts, which bound Vietnamese women into the fedal norm,and limited the development of women However along the history, “ThreeObediences and Four Virtues” theory still remains its values whichcontributes to the traditional beauty of Vietnamese women

Nowadays, fedal socio-economic basis no longer exists; however,

the Confucianismideology in general; “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” theory in particular still existsto a certain extent and affects

Vietnamese women in both positive and negative sides Its negativeimpacts are relected through male supremacyand marriage imposition …which are the reasons for family violence and gender inequality in ourcountry

Thirty years after the Doi Moi (1986), our country gained manysignificant achievements in different fields, among which economicrenovation is the foundation However, the Renovation of the VietnameseCommunist Party not only focuses on economic field but also oncomprehensive renovation, including the renovation of human and humanliberation The Communist Party always considers the people as the most

important factor, in which the women account for large proportion andplay an important role in families and the society The renovation leads tochanges in evaluation criteria of the society and family towards the women

in order to meet new demands of the period Nowadays, Vietnamesewomen must focus on comprehensive beauty andknowledge, be good atboth public and family matters, and participate in social activitiesactively

If the rules and norms of “Three Obediences and Four Virtues”

theory are used in an appropriate way, it will become an important factor

to enhance the position and role of women in the Vietmanese modernsociety It leads to the fact that it is necessary to study current status and

impacts of Confucianism “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” theory

among Vietnamese women nowadays in order to promote the positivevalues and to limit negative impacts on the women’sliberation

From the theoritical and practical basis above, I choose the topic: " Confucianism“Three Obediences and Four Virtues” theory and its impacts

on Vietnamese women" for my dotoral thesis

2 Objectives and tasks of research thesis

- To clarify basic contents of “Three Obediences and Four Virtues”

theory of Chinese confucianismand Vietnamese Confucianism.

- To clarifu curent status of positive and negative impacts ofConfucianism “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” theory on

Vietnamese women in the past and nowadays

- To propose some measures for promoting its positive values and tolimit negative impacts on Vietnamese women nowadays

3 Research objects and scope of study

3.1 Research objects

The thesis focuses on clarifying some basic contents in

Confucianism“Three Obediences and Four Virtues” theory and its impacts

on Vietnamese women nowadays

3.2 Scope of study

- The thesis focuses on studying the impacts of “Three Obediencesand Four Virtues” theory on Vietnamese women nowadays

4 Theoritical basis and research methodology

4.1 Theoritical basis

- The thesis relies on the theoritical basis of Marxism and Leninism,

Ho Chi Minh’s Thoughts, guidlines and view points of the CommunistParty, and State policies on women

- The thesis refers to classic works of Confucianismand previousresearches

4.2 Research methodology

The thesis uses the methodology of Marxism and Leninism, Ho ChiMinh’s Thoughts; close combination of theories and practice, analysis,logics, history, statistics, comparision, and pratical summary

5 Scientific contribution of the thesis

- The thesis give an overview about basic contents of “ThreeObediences and Four Virtues” theory in ChineseConfucianismandVietnamese Confucianism

- The thesis further analyzes the positive and negative impacts of

“Three Obediences and Four Virtues” theory on Vietnamese womennowadays

- From positive, negative impacts and contradictions that exist in realsocial issues, the thesis proposes some points of view and measures in order

to promote the positive values and to limit the negative impacts of “ThreeObediences and Four Virtues” theoryon Vietnamese women nowadays

6 Theoritical and practical meanings of the thesis

- The thesis many be used as reference for studying ConfucianisminVietnam, role, and position of Vietnamese women nowadays

7 Structure of the thesis

In addition to the preamble, conclusion, and reference, this thesis isconsisted of 4 chapters, 11 sections

Chapter 1 OVERVIEW ON TOPIC-RELATED STUDIES

1.1 Research work on Confucianism ethics and “Three Obedience and Four Virtues” theory in Confucianism

Studies on Confucianism ethics in general and “Three Obediences and

Four Virtues” theory in particular: Dao Duy Anh (1938), Confucianism

Essay Reviews,Quan Hai Tung Thu Publisher, Hue; Tran Trong Kim

(2006), Confucianism,Culture and Information Publisher, Hanoi; Phan Boi Chau (1998), Confucianism, Culture and Information Publisher, Hanoi; Quang Dam (1994),Confucianismin the past and nowadays, Literature Publisher, Hanoi; Tran Van Giau (1985),Traditional spiritual Value in

Vietnam, Social science Publisher, Hanoi; Quang Dam (1994),

Confucianismin the past and nowadays, Literature Publisher, Hanoi; Phan

Dai Doan (1998), Some Confucianismissues in Vietnam,National Political Publisher, Hanoi; Nguyen Dang Duy (1998), Confucianismand Vietnamese

Culture, Hanoi Publisher, Hanoi; Nguyen Hung Hau (2010), Introduction to

philosophy history in Vietnam,National Political Publisher, Hanoi; Vu Ngoc Khanh (1998), Vietnamese family culture, Ethnic Culture Publisher; Vu Khieu (1991), Confucianismin the past and nowadays, Social science

Publisher, Hanoi; Vu Khieu (1995), Confucianismand families, Social science Publisher, Hanoi; Nguyen Thi Nga - Ho Trong Hoai (2003), Confucianismconcept on human education, National Political Publisher,

Hanoi

1.2 Studies on “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” theory’s impacts on Vietnamese women nowadays

“Three obediences, four virtues” theory has considerably affected

Vietnamese women nowadays Therefore, there have had a number ofresearch works related to this matter Typical examples for this are the

works of authors Phan Manh Toan (2011)Benevolence and propriety’s

effects on the current ethical lives in Vietnam , Doctor of Philosophy

Dissertation; Phan Huy Le – Vu Minh Giang (chief editor) (1994),

Traditional values and Vietnamese people,Volume 2, State-level science

and technology program KX 07, theme KX 07-02, Hanoi

Tran Nguyen Viet (2002) is the author of writing titled "Vietnamesetraditional ethical values and ethical all-humankind universality in the market

economy”, Philosophical Journal, (5); Nguyen Tai Thu (2002) is the author

of writing titled "Confucianism and current industrialization and

modernization in Vietnam” , Philosophical Journal, (5); Le Thi Quy 1993) is

the author of writing titled “Confucianism and current family culture”,

Cultural and Art Research Journal, (4-112); Le Van Quan (1997) is known as

the author of writing titled "Lễ giáo Nho gia phong kiến curbing the current

development of Vietnamese women",Cultural and Art Journal, (01-151);

Nguyen Thi Kim Loan(2003) is known as the author of writing titled

"Confucianism and cultural behavior of Vietnamese common people in the

marital relationship and family", Cultural and Art Journal, (04-226).

1.3 Research works specifying viewpoints and solutions for the promotion of positive effects and limitation of negative effects by the

“Three obediences, Four virtues” theory on Vietnamese present women

Disseminating and educating quality and ethics of Vietnamese women

in the cause of national industrialization and modernization- Program 343,

The Ministry of Education and Training; Hard-working, good appearance,

well-spoken, well-behaved nowadays by Le Thi Bung, Nguyen Thi Van

Huong ; Effects of the “three obediences, four virtues” theory on Vietnamese

in ancient and present times- University-level scientific research theme by

Hoang Thi Thuan; Duong Thi Minh (2004) – University of Education , the

Book titled “Vietnamese family and roles of women in present time”, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi; Le Minh(1997), the Book titled

“Vietnamese women in the family and society”, Labor Publishing House; Le Thi (2004), the Book titled “ Family, Vietnamese women and population,

culture and sustainable development”, Social Science Publishing House,

Hanoi; (2006)

The works has clarified basic categories and principles of the

Confucianism: concepts and contents of the “three obediences, four

virtues” theory in the development history of the Confucianism in China

and Confucianism in Vietnam; summarizing some traditional ethicalcharacteristics of Vietnamese people and specifying remains ofConfucianism ethics required to eliminate in the cause of buildingsocialism in Vietnam; demonstrating causes of feudal ethical remains andseveral orientations for eliminating its negative effects and promote itspositive effects on Vietnamese present women

Nevertheless, there have not had any independent, systematic and

in-depth works summarizing and analyzing the “three obediences, four

virtues” theory and its positive and negative effects on Vietnamese women.

Besides, there have not had any synchronizing and effective worksproposing viewpoints and solutions for the promotion of its positive effectsand limitation of its negative effects on Vietnamese people This is a spacerequiring the author to continue studies and clarification

Chapter 2 CONFUCIANISM-BASED “THREE OBEDIENCES, FOUR

VIRTUES” THEORY

2.1 “Three obediences, four virtues” theory of Confucianism in China

2.1.1 Origin of Confucianism

2.1.1.1 Socio-economic bases for the formation of Confucianism

Confucianism was founded at the Spring and Autumn and WarringStates period in China It is considered as the period of the most changes.This period appeared a number of social conflicts making social orders beupsetted; therefore, it is required to build a new social model towards adisciplinary society Moreover, it also marked the establishment anddevelopment of many philosophical schools including Confucianism TheConfucianism founded is for establishing a feudalism-concentrated socialmanagement model

2.1.1.2 Political, cultural and ideological premises for the formation

of Confucianism in China

The Confucianism was founded based on inheriting cultural andideological premises previously developed at the Spring and Autumn andWarring States period in China

Firstly, cultural premises In this period, China soundly developed

inventions in a series of aspects like astronomy, mathematics, medicalscience and political ideologies

Secondly, ideological premises are the ideologies related to religion,

ethical thoughts of Zhou Dynasty Zhou Dynasty highly appreciated thethoughts of “God-worship”, “reception of peoples”, “virtuous’, “dutiful”.These ideologies have affected the Confucian, as bases for building basiccategories over their theories such as Three bonds – Five Precepts, True name,Three obediences – Four virtues, etc

2.1.1.3 Confucius- founder of the Confucianism theory

Confucius (551 - 479 B.C) is the founder of Confucianism He oftentravelled to of preach the methods of national governance In the upsetsocio-economic situations of Zhou Dynasty, he founded the Confucianismtheory in the aim of directing human beings towards their true name.Thereby, a new society is disciplinary, peaceful and prosperous

2.1.2 Positions of the “three obediences, four virtues” theory in Confucianism ethics in China and their relationship

2.1.2.1 Position of the “three obediences, four virtues” theory in Confucianism ethics in China

Firstly, Confucianism focuses on building gentleman for social

ruling, thereby not discussing women a lot Nonetheless, “threeobediences, four virtues” theory was still mentioned when integrating itwith other categories such as three bonds, five precepts, true name

Secondly, Confucianism considers family as a minimized society and

society as an extended family; therefore, the “three obediences, four

virtues” theory in the system of Confucianism ethics has been founded to

stabilize social order

Thirdly, underlying purpose of the “three obediences, four virtues”

theory is for protecting status of the ruling class

Fourthly, the “three obediences, four virtues” theory is the most

important standard, the most basic requirement of Confucianism ethicsover women There is the integral relationship between them, helpingwomen possess a finished beauty under the Confucianism’s standards

2.1.2.2 Relationship between the “three obediences” theory and the

“four virtues” theory over Confucianism in China

The similarity between the “three obediences” theory and the “fourvirtues” theory is rules and standards compulsory for women

The differences between them are shown on scope and the mentionedsubject

Three obediences (三從) were originated from Rituals and FuneralClothing Tu Ha story wrote: 1 Submission to her father before hermarriage (在家從父): She must submit to her father before her marriage; 2.Submission to her husband during her marriage (出嫁從夫): she must submit

to her husband during her marriage; 3 Submission to her son when beingwidowed (夫死從子): if her husband dies, she must submit to her son

Four virtues includehard-working (婦功), good appearance (婦容),well-spoken (婦言) and well-behaved (婦行):

1 Hard working: She is clever for cooking and housework.Nevertheless, jobs for ancient women include sewing, embroiling, cookingand trading work A good woman possesses musical instrument playing,chess playing, poem composing and painting abilities

2 Good appearance: A woman must be affable, neat and respects heroutward appearance.

3 Well-spoken: Spoken words must be gentle and deliberate

4 Well-behaved: At home, she must be well-mannered, respectsolder people and gives up to younger people, pampers her husband andloves her children, gets on with relatives of her husband’s family In thesociety, she must be modest, mature and snobbish

2.1.4 “Three obediences, four virtues” theory in the development history of Confucianism in China

2.1.4.1 “Three obediences, four virtues” theory of primitive Confucianism

Confucius and Mercius established the “three obediences, fourvirtues” theory to teach women In terms of four virtues, Confuciusespecially appreciated the “virtue” of women Virtue is the base ofHardworking- Good appearance- Well-spoken In terms of virtues forparents, Confucius especially respects the dutifulness Mercius alsorequested the women to “obey” their husband and human’s family

2.1.4.2 “Three obediences, four virtues” theory of Confucianism in Han Dynasty

In late Warring States period, Qin Dynasty used “legal ruling” tounify and rule the country Dong Trong Thu was the person makingconsiderable contributions to the restoration of Confucianism after

“burning books and burying scholars” by Qin Shi Huang

In terms of women’s roles, Dong Trong Thu put forward the thought

of “obeying their husband in everything" – the wife must obey anythingthat her husband has said regardless of rightness or wrongness.Confucianism in Han Dynasty became an effective mental ruling tool ofthe centralized autocratic state Therefore, the “three obediences, fourvirtues” theory is more strict to women, known as a base with paternalisticand patriarchal thoughts

2.1.4.3 “Three obediences, four virtues” theory of Confucianism in Song Dynasty

For women, Confucianism strengthens the ideology “MaleSupremacy” (to value men above women)", "Father - Husband - Son".More unfortunately, Confucianism has the extreme view about a woman'svirginity Cheng Yisaid that: "starve is the little, losing the virginity is thebiggest." This isthe most typical evidence for the grim and strict Confucianfor women

2.2 The theory of “Father - Husband - Son” (three submissions) and “Work-Appearance- Word- Character” (four virtues) in Vietnamese Confucianism

2.2.1 Overview of Confucianism introduction into Vietnam

Confucianism was introduced into Vietnam during the Chinesedomination for a thousand of year Especially, for each different historicalperiod and each different dynasty, the position and role of Confucianismare different In one thousand year of feudalism, Confucian in general andthe theory of “Father - Husband - Son” and “Work-Appearance- Word-Character” in particular had a profound influence on the Vietnamese lifeand people Confucian contributed to build the national traditions, ideologyand culture and the image of Vietnam women from traditional style tomodern style

The most noteworthy thing is that when it existed in Vietnam,Confucianism was not completely stereotyped as Chinese Confucian that ithas been modified to fit the Vietnamese tradition

2.2.2 Factors changing the content of the theory of “Father Husband - Son” and “Work-Appearance- Word- Character” in Vietnamese Confucianism

-First, Vietnamese has had the tradition of respecting the women for

thousands of year

Second,the practical history of building and protecting our country as

well as Vietnam’s cultural tradition has regulated the receiving way andchanged the theory of three submissions and four virtues of Confucianism

Third, during the process of Confucianism introduction into Vietnam,

Confucians have received and applied this content in accordance with thecountry’s situation

Fourth, during the process of Confucianism’s introduction into

Vietnam, Buddhism and Taoism have been also introduced into ourcountry

Fifth, Vietnamese traditional families are very different from the

Chinese patriarchy ones

The aforementioned fundamental factors have changed the theory ofthree submissions and four virtues in Vietnamese Confucianism Thosewere also the foundation to regulate the contents and features of the theory

of three submissions and four virtues in Vietnamese Confucianism

2.2.3 Overview of the content and feature of the theory of three submissions and four virtues in Vietnamese Confucianism

2.3.3.1 The contents of the theory of three submissions and four virtues in Vietnamese Confucianism

The contents of the theory of three submissions and four virtues inVietnamese Confucianism have been shown in the family songs, feudallaws In general, this content is very little different from ChineseConfucianism

2.3.3.2 Some fundamental features of the theory of the three submissions and four virtues in Vietnamese Confucianism

Firstly, the theory of three submissions and four virtues have been admitted and appreciated by Vietnamese feudal laws.

In the feudal period, most laws had the content relating to women,especially Hong Duc Law and Gia Long Law In general, although therewere a lot of advantages in comparison with Chinese, these laws still hadthe ideology of Male Supremacy They had forced women to depend onmen “Nguyen dynasty” was significantly influenced by Confucianism;therefore they had the extreme view about the women’s virginity andappreciated “virginal women”

Secondly, the theory of three submissions and four virtues has been built by the Confucianism trend and under the form of family songs.

Some people say that: “It is difficult to teach women” and they alsoslight women because of their illiteracy, from those, in the feudal period,Confucians trended to write the theory of three submissions and fourvirtues under the form of poems, family songs - those to teach women Inthose family songs, Confucians gave much content to force women to learnand follow In addition to those, they also gave the content of prohibitions towomen and all of them related to the theory of three submissions and fourvirtues

Thirdly, the theory of three submissions and four virtues had been shown in the regulations of Vietnamese communes

Those regulations were the social conventions of the communeswritten by Confucians In those regulations, Confucians gave the rules ofthe family to men and women If they had done contrary to thoseregulations, they would have been fined

Fourthly, the theory of three submissions and four virtues had been shown in folklore, particularly folk songs and proverbs.

Fifthly, the status of Vietnamese women had "softened" the theory of three submissions and four virtues.

Compared with China, the status of Vietnamese women has beenraised a lot and assigned the important tasks In Vietnam, women areconsidered "Internal Queen" of the family The reason for this is thatVietnamese family model is different from the Chinese family model.Vietnam family model typically includes two generations; therefore thewife's status was enhanced But in China, the family model mainlyincludes multiple generations; so it is necessary to have the head man todirect all the work and maintain order and discipline in the family

Sixthly, the theory of three submissions and four virtues in Vietnamese Confucianism respected the practice rather than the theory.

Seventhly, during the period from the thousands of years ago until now, Vietnamese women in all levels have positively participated in social, cultural and political activities The Vietnamese history and culture have

always recorded the names of women who contributed to the success of thenation, such asTrieu Thi Trinh, Duong Van Nga, Y Lan, Bui Thi Xuan,Ms.Ba Cai Vang, etc Those good examples are always in hearts of thepeople The noble beauty of Vietnamese women have made the theory ofthree submissions and four virtues change in Vietnam and havefundamental differences with this ideology in China

Conclusion of Chapter 2

As a political, social and moral theory, Confucianism became a tool

to protect the status of the ruling class Confucianism advocates to educatethe morality for people to bring the society from chaos statement frompeaceful and prosperous statement The category of moral education ofwomen is mentioned primarily in the theory of three submissions and fourvirtues

The theory of three submissions and four virtues gave the moralstandards that women have to listen Besides the positive values, such asteaching women to complete their appearance beauty and spirit beauty, thetheory also brought a lot of negative effects that included the idea: “MaleSupremacy” being deeply into social life Etiology of this thought is thatConfucian would like to educate women under their standards to maintainfamily order and more importantly social order and the final aim is toprotect the status of the ruling class

Confucianism has deeply affected the social life of the East Asiancountries, including Vietnam It is worth noting that Confucianism inVietnam was converted with a number of contents or in other words, it was

"softened" and "refracted" to suit Vietnamese life Therefore, in Vietnam,the negative nature of this theory has decreased more than Confucian in

China In Vietnam, the status of women is respected than women in otherAsian countries.