Brian Jeffrey
Parents in urban areas have been increasingly opting to send their children to retreat courses at pagodas during the summer in hopes of instilling obedience and usefulness.
Over the last 3-4 years, a rise in retreat courses offered at pagodas has been observed, drawing in a significant number of participants, mostly children, school students, and university students.
Choosing the right course for their children can be a challenge for parents. Some unscrupulous organizers seize the opportunity to profit from these retreat courses and promote superstition, as cautioned by local newspapers.
Tran Thanh Nam, Vice Rector of the University of Education, noted that parents typically enroll their children in these courses due to religious beliefs, aiming to impart moral values advocated by authentic monks.
Modern-day parents often find themselves occupied and unable to dedicate ample time to their children, leading to excessive smartphone usage and exposure to inappropriate online content.
Seeing retreat courses as a remedy for social network and gaming addictions, parents turn to these programs to help their children break free from such habits.
Some parents enroll their children simply because others are doing so, while others are swayed by the promising benefits advertised.
The prevalence of online videos featuring monks discussing ethics, filial piety, and healthy living has influenced young parents, leading them to seek out these revered figures to educate their children.
Conversely, some parents rely on pagoda monks to re-educate and reform their children’s misbehaviors after facing challenges in upbringing.
Nam, a psychologist, highlighted the widening emotional gap between parents and children, indicating a disconnect in understanding each other’s emotions, thoughts, and values.
He emphasized that attendance at retreat courses does not guarantee a transformation in children’s personalities in a short span and cautioned against unfounded expectations.
While these courses may temporarily divert children from digital distractions, sustained parental involvement is crucial to prevent relapses into unhealthy habits.
Parents were also urged to exercise caution regarding courses not led by genuine monks, as they could introduce harmful ideologies, fostering dependency on mystical entities and undermining real-world efforts.
Nam stressed the importance of genuine filial piety education and warned against children falling prey to superstitions, which could lead to ritualistic behaviors and irrational fears.
