FOLK CONSCIOUSNESS OF CAUSE-EFFECT (HETU-PHALA) AND KAMMA-VIPAKA ¯ IN THE FAIRY TALE OF THACH SANH

Abstract

This study sought to provide the basis for the formation and manifestation of Vietnamese folk consciousness in terms of causeeffect (hetu-phala) and kamma-vipaka ¯ in the story of Thach Sanh. The motif theory in folklore studies was used to reveal similarities as well as differences between the story of Thach Sanh and other domestic and foreign folktales having the same motifs. Therefore, these findings indicated that cause-effect and kamma-vipaka ¯ in Vietnamese folk consciousness contain not only common characteristics to different cultures but also specific creations of Vietnamese people, in which the acculturation of the Buddhist philosophy of cause-effect and kamma-vipaka ¯ in Vietnamese folk consciousness is one of the most distinctive features. Moreover, Vietnamese folk consciousness of cause-effect and kamma-vipaka ¯ could be considered as a harmonious combination of internal and external factors, which reflects the openness of Vietnamese culture and highly creative acculturational ability.