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Contact: Karen Fjelstad, (408) 457-1925	Air Date: March 19, 1998

Tu Phu Religion alive and well in San Francisco   The Tu Phu Cong Dong religion is a small religion practiced among the Vietnamese in Vietnam, France and the United States. In her doctoral dissertation, a University of Hawaii student explored this religion observed primarily by women. Karen Fjelstad says members of the religion believe the universe is governed by four goddesses who are kind, loving and compassionate to their "children." Some women become spirit mediums or followers because they have personal problems relating to being female, including marital problems, issues of fertility and reproduction and problems associated with motherhood. Attending ceremonies on a weekly basis helps these women gain understanding and support from other mortal and immortal women. Most followers of Tu Phu are women who are at high risk for social isolation and culture shock because they are older, unemployed and do not speak English. I'll tell you about a 67-year old spirit medium of Tu Phu on tomorrow's University Report, I'm Tracy Orillo Donovan.

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