The Religious Beliefs of the Hmong people

Abstract

Most Hmong people living in Asian countries, still maintain their
traditional beliefs. This is because the traditional religious beliefs are inherent in the entire cultural way of the Hmong people, from family, society, environment, and beliefs that exist in the way of life since birth until the end of life as well as including the way of farming, Ritual traditions. Therefore, traditional beliefs also have an influence on the life of the Hmong people but some Hmong people
have adopted other religious beliefs, such as Buddhism, and Christianity for
different purposes. They followed Buddhism in the case of Thailand arising from political security problems from the communist disaster. The Thai government provided various social work and the establishment of the Phra Dharmarajika Project to be the main lead in shaping the Hmong people to practice religion. This is because of reduced feelings of political paranoia and so that the Hmong people are united with the Thai citizens.  While Christianity has been spread to the Hmong people since the 18th century in China and has grown from
immigration into Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Burma.  The main goal is to
expand the religion and providing medical assistance and education. However, Buddhism is a religion that can blend well with the traditional Hmong beliefs
because Buddhism does not have a concept that contradicts the belief
in ghosts and there is a clear separation of social space in performing rituals. This is making Buddhism look harmonious with the Hmong culture while Christianity has a completely different concept. However, the religion among the majority of Hmong in Asia is still a traditional Hmong religion. There are some of those who were converted to Buddhism and were incorporated into the traditional beliefs. While many Hmong people abroad, such as the United States, Australia, have increasingly converted to Christianity and Buddhism.