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Dinh IAprompt 21 TOKExi 2022

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41 views5 pages

Dinh IAprompt 21 TOKExi 2022

Uploaded by

santran152
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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As an inquirer of traditional objects and concepts, the prompt of defining the relationship

between culture and knowledge caught my attention and allowed be to further explore
my interests of my own culture. I will explore the prompt by examining the different ties
between culture and how knowledge is perceived.

Object 1: Acupuncture Map

The concept of empiricism argue that knowledge can only be defined when it has been
proven scientifically but cultural knowledge exist from the spreading of techniques
without what modernity considers “scientific”. An example of this is an acupuncture map
from an acupuncture center I go to every week to heal my sports injury. As technology
continues to modernize itself, many believe in the use of newly developed technology of
western medicine to treat injuries as the validity of the cultural knowledge of
acupuncture is questioned.

The knowledge of acupuncture has been developed and produced by many Asian
cultures which is then characterized with each region’s religion. For example, as a
Buddhist, I was taught that acupuncture frees the flow of energy of the body, sending
positive energy to injured regions. This might not be considered scientific reasoning as
the concepts of energy cannot be quantitatively measured and therefore not proven
systematically.

Recently, Harvard has proven that acupuncture of specific body parts trigger
anti-inflammatory responses of the nervous system, signaling that more traditional
techniques are going to be explained systematically by modern sciences. In the same
study, Harvard researchers suggested methods to further enhance acupuncture
(Caruso). Currently, updated medical procedures have been integrated into the process
of traditional treatment. An example of how additional knowledge can build upon the
foundation of culture. In fact the acupuncture center I go to incorporates medical
techniques such as laser therapy as an added process of medical treatment whilst still
preserving the traditional basis of acupuncture.

In conclusion, the relationship between knowledge and culture is complex. Cultural


knowledge, although not completely proven, creates the foundation layer of knowledge
that is continuously developed as humankind evolves technologically, shown through
the adaptations made towards traditional techniques that make the healing process
become more effective.

Object 2: Picture of Chùa Cầu on the 20k vnd bill

My second object Is a picture of the real bridge shown on the 20 thousand bill of
Vietnamese currency taken by myself on my trip to Hoi An. Many people carelessly use
this bill, never questioning its cultural impact. For me, the bridge really opened my eyes
to the concept of knowledge production through interdependence of one cultural
knowledge on another culture.

Chùa Cầu (the bridge) was built by Japanese people during their time of colonization in
Vietnam about 400 years ago. The folklore of the bridge being a sword that punctured a
monster’s spine called Mamazu and rescued the people from earthquakes became a
heroic symbol of the Japanese population that settled at the time (“Truyền Thuyết về
Chùa Cầu Hội An”). Ever since, the bridge has been a symbol of traditional Vietnamese
architecture that was proudly represented on one of Vietnam’s mostly used bills.

As a Vietnamese, the historical background of this bridge shed light on my cultural


understanding of my own nation. The contribution of Chùa Cầu towards the
promptness of the relationship between knowledge and culture suggests how
knowledge production can be in the form of cultural collaboration and distinction.
Although the structure was part of Japanese culture 400 years ago, it is now considered
an important piece of knowledge towards Vietnamese culture. We simply cannot argue
that one knowledge belongs to one culture over another as some have a layer of
historical depth that proves itself to embrace many cultures simultaneously and not
simply belonging to one.

Although the negative impacts of cultural dominance have been shown through war and
disharmony, the integration of one culture to another plays a vital role in the production
of knowledge.

Object 3: Whale Carcass

The same piece of knowledge can be interpreted differently depending on one’s cultural
perspective. My third object is the carcass of a whale displayed in Ca Mau, the
northernmost province of Vietnam that relies heavily on fishing.
Many countries display big whale bone structures in museums or use them for scientific
research. Learning in an international school at the time, I was taught carcasses are
evidence of discovery- not something worshiped.

In Vietnam, many shrines are set up for the worshiping of whale carcasses. This
specific whale structure is on display in Lăng Ông Nam Hải, a well-known shrine in Ca
Mau (Thuong), where I have visited my family and discovered that the people of the
province only collect the whale carcass when they are washed up on shore and a
traditional procedure has been followed. The whale is a symbol of protection from the
sea that blesses the people of the province with safety when they travel out to sea.
Some people believe in the whale in a religious way as it was perceived to be a symbol
of the god of the sea whilst some actually heard of stories of fishermen being saved by
whales and chose to pay respect.

The symbol of the whale creates common ground for religious and non-religious
believers of Vietnamese provinces to come together as the sea is one of our nation’s
greatest source of income. Whilst the same piece of information – the whale carcass-
can be used and interpreted differently depending on the culture, just like how they are
associated differently with western cultures and traditional Vietnamese culture. It is a
real-life example that proves how the same knowledge can have different associations
by different cultures.

Word count: 932

References:

Caruso, Catherine. “Exploring the Science of Acupuncture.” Hms.harvard.edu, 1 Nov. 2021,


hms.harvard.edu/news/exploring-science-acupuncture.

thanhnien.vn. “Bộ Xương Cá Ông Có Niên Đại Gần 300 Năm Được Phục Dựng Thành Công.”
Thanhnien.vn, 12 Jan. 2022,

thanhnien.vn/bo-xuong-ca-ong-co-nien-dai-gan-300-nam-duoc-phuc-dung-thanh-cong-1851420
460.htm. Accessed 3 Apr. 2023.

Thuong, Ngo Duy. “Xương Cá Ông.” Flickr, 23 Sept. 2014,


www.flickr.com/photos/hoanghon/15334012576/in/photostream/. Accessed 3 Apr. 2023.
Travel, Klook. “Nét Đẹp Vượt Thời Gian Ở Chùa Cầu Hội an - Klook Blog.” Www.klook.com, 10
Mar. 2022, www.klook.com/vi/blog/chua-cau/. Accessed 3 Apr. 2023.
“Truyền Thuyết về Chùa Cầu Hội An.” Trang Tin Dịch vụ Hội An, Tin Tức Hội an 24h -
HOIANAZ, hoianaz.com/bai-viet/truyen-thuyet-ve-chua-cau-hoi-an. Accessed 3 Apr. 2023.
‌

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