What is Tôn Sư Trọng Đạo? Cultural and Ethical Meaning in Vietnam

Honoring teachers and respecting morality is one of the core values, a continuous flow throughout the history and culture of Vietnam. This is not just an abstract concept but a moral quality, a way of life clearly expressed in the behavior and thoughts of the Vietnamese people. UnderstandingWhat is "respect for teachers and reverence for Tao"?will help us understand more deeply the educational and moral foundations of the nation.

Definition of respectfully revering teachers

"Tôn sư trọng đạo" is simply understood as showing respect and appreciation for one's teacher (tôn sư) and valuing the moral principles and knowledge that the teacher imparts (trọng đạo).

Master: Boundless respect for the teacher

"Tôn sư" carries the meaning of respect and exalts the role of the teacher. In traditional Vietnamese society, teachers were placed in a noble position, second only to the king and parents ("Quân - Sư - Phụ" - King - Teacher - Father). This stems from the belief that a teacher is not only someone who imparts knowledge but also someone who enlightens the mind, opens understanding, and shapes the character of their students.

This reverence is expressed through many aspects:

• Social standing:In any era, teachers have always received special respect from the community. From small villages to feudal dynasties, teachers have always been a symbol of wisdom and morality.
• Student attitude:Students always show gratitude, respect, and obedience towards their teachers. Even after achieving success, they maintain a humble and respectful attitude towards those who taught them.
• Family and society:Parents often instruct their children to "revere their teachers" as they do their parents, because teachers are the ones who help children become upright citizens. The community also has a responsibility to protect and provide the best conditions for teachers.

Respect for knowledge: Upholding the value of knowledge and ethics

"Respecting the Way" means valuing principles, righteous conduct, standard rules of behavior, and the knowledge imparted by the teacher. "The Way" here refers not only to book knowledge but also to the way of being human and social ethics.

• Knowledge is key:The Vietnamese people have always valued learning, considering knowledge a path to personal and national success and progress. Generations of students tirelessly strive to study so as not to betray their teachers' efforts.
• Ethics is the root:More than just knowledge, teachers also impart ethics, lifestyles, and ways of treating others. "First learn manners, then learn knowledge" is a familiar maxim, affirming the importance of morality before acquiring knowledge.
• Preserving traditional values:Respecting the moral code also involves preserving and promoting the beautiful cultural and ethical values of the nation, passed down from generation to generation through the teachings of masters and teachers.

The origin and development of tôn sư trọng đạo in Vietnam

TraditionWhat is "tôn sư trọng đạo"?it didn't happen spontaneously, but rather formed and developed over thousands of years of history, influenced by many cultural and social factors.

Influence of Confucianism

Confucianism, with its philosophy of "vạn sự sư biểu" (the teacher is a role model for all things), has deeply influenced the concept of teachers in Vietnam. Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, is revered as "Vạn thế sư biểu" (The teacher of all ages). Concepts such as "tôn sư" (respecting teachers) and "trọng đạo" (honoring the Way/morality) are embedded in the system of the Five Relationships (between ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, elder and younger brother, and friends) and the Three Bonds (between ruler and subject, father and son, and husband and wife), within which the teacher-student relationship is considered as important as the father-son relationship.

State-run schools or private lessons all emphasize respect for teachers and value morality. Many stories about famous Vietnamese figures such as Chu Van An, Nguyen Binh Khiem, or Ho Chi Minh clearly demonstrate this spirit.

Influence of Buddhism

Although Confucianism had a major influence, Buddhism also contributed to the idea of respecting teachers. In Buddhism, the Dharma teacher (master) is the one who guides sentient beings out of suffering and towards enlightenment. Respecting one's master is an indispensable part of the spiritual practice. Although different in form, the spirit of respecting those who lead the way and enlighten knowledge is a common point.

Folklore and oral tradition

In Vietnamese folklore, there are many folk songs, proverbs, and idioms that speak of the merits of teachers and the importance of learning. "Without a teacher, you wouldn't accomplish anything," "When eating fruit, remember the planter; when eating sweet potatoes, remember those who gave the vines to plant," "If you want to cross to the other side, build a bridge; if you want your child to be literate, love their teacher"... These sayings have deeply ingrained themselves in the subconscious of the Vietnamese people, reminding generations of the immense gratitude owed to their teachers.

The meaning of respecting teachers and morality in modern society

Amidst a developing and integrating society, the questionWhat is "tôn sư trọng đạo"?still retain their value and even acquire many new meanings.

High-quality educational platform

Respecting teachers and valuing morality is a core element in building a quality education system. When students respect their teachers and value knowledge, they will approach learning with seriousness, proactiveness, and greater effectiveness. This creates a positive school environment where knowledge and ethics are highly regarded.

For example, in many schools in Vietnam, holidays like Vietnamese Teachers' Day on November 20th are always grandly celebrated. Students make flowers, write cards, and perform artistic acts to express their gratitude to teachers. This is clear evidence that the spirit of respecting teachers and valuing ethics is still preserved and promoted. Schools such as Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted and Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted (Ho Chi Minh City) always encourage students to uphold this tradition.

Maintaining social ethical standards

In a context of many social changes, preserving and promoting the spirit of respecting teachers and morality helps maintain ethical standards. Teachers not only teach knowledge but also teach how to be human. When students respect their teachers, they also learn how to respect elders, respect justice, contributing to building a civilized and benevolent society.

Stories about devoted teachers in remote areas, such as teacher Dang Van Cuong (Pac Bo school point, Cao Bang) or teacher Tran Thi Thuy (Nam Khat Semi-boarding Ethnic Primary School, Yen Bai), who sacrificed their youth and efforts to bring literacy to students, are vivid proofs of teachers' dedication and the gratitude of students and the community.

Encouraging teachers' dedication

When teachers are respected, recognized by society and students, they will have more motivation to dedicate themselves, improve their expertise, and enhance their professional ethics. This creates a positive cycle: enthusiastic teachers, respectful and diligent students, leading to societal development.

The reality shows that the salaries of Vietnamese teachers may not be truly high compared to some other professions, but the respect from students and parents is an invaluable source of spiritual motivation, helping many teachers overcome difficulties to stick with the profession. A survey by the Ministry of Education and Training in recent years showed that the majority of teachers remain committed to the profession due to their love for students and their desire to contribute.

Challenges and solutions for promoting respect for teachers

Although it is a good tradition, in the modern context, preserving and promoting the spirit of respecting teachers and valuing ethics also faces many challenges.

Challenge

• Economic and material pressure:Sometimes, the pressure of achievements, exams, or small negative issues in the education sector can diminish the trust and respect for teachers.
• Changes in educational philosophy:Some new educational philosophies may erode the solemnity of the traditional teacher-student relationship, sometimes leading to a lack of respect or excessive familiarity.
• Impact of Information Technology:The internet and social networks offer many benefits, but can also be channels for spreading misinformation and biased information, affecting the image of teachers.

Solution

• Enhance teacher quality:The state and the education sector need to continue investing in training and fostering the teaching staff in both expertise and ethics. Teachers must truly be shining examples for students to follow.
• Moral education in schools:Education programs need to integrate and further emphasize the value of respecting teachers and showing gratitude towards them.
• Society needs to join hands:Families and society need to cooperate with schools in educating children about respecting teachers. The media needs to spread beautiful images and meaningful stories about teachers.
• Policy Support:The State needs to implement better preferential policies for teachers, especially those in disadvantaged areas, so they can feel secure in their work and dedicate themselves. For example, preferential housing policies, salaries, or commendation programs such as "Meritorious Teacher," "People's Teacher" are important incentives.

Conclusion

What is honoring teachers and respecting morality?? This is not only a cultural beauty but also a guideline for the sustainable development of Vietnamese education and social ethics. Preserving and promoting this tradition is not only the responsibility of the education sector but of the whole society, so that every teacher is always honored, and every generation of students is nurtured in an environment of good knowledge and ethics.