While in Vietnam, we were able to visit several churches. The religious past of Vietnam is filled with stories and history. The results are beautiful buildings with many different perspectives.
In the early to mid 20th century, Vietnam was a colony of France. Vietnam later declared independence from France and communism became their official governmental system. While the French were in Vietnam, they left their mark on the culture. This includes the ability to find French cheese and baguettes on every corner and in every market, the many people who speak French and the large Notre Dame Cathedral that makes its home in the middle of the business district of Ho Chi Minh.
In the early to mid 20th century, Vietnam was a colony of France. Vietnam later declared independence from France and communism became their official governmental system. While the French were in Vietnam, they left their mark on the culture. This includes the ability to find French cheese and baguettes on every corner and in every market, the many people who speak French and the large Notre Dame Cathedral that makes its home in the middle of the business district of Ho Chi Minh.
The inscriptions on the inside of the building are in French saying “merci” to Jesus and to Mary. For a moment you feel as though you have been transported to Paris, and are touring the great gothic cathedrals.
We were also able to visit the Pagoda near our hotel. Most Vietnamese subscribe to a belief system that incorporates Buddhism, Hinduism and Ancestor Worship. Below There is a variety of gods, surrounded by the offerings of the worshipers. The fruit, paper money and incense are all offerings that are given to help the lives of the spirits of Buddhism, and of their ancestors.
These are pictures of ancestors who are worshiped by their families. The money and fruit is burned in front of these pictures to please the ancestors in order for the worshiper’s life to be made easier or better. Occasionally there is a swastika instead of a picture. The swastika is an ancient Buddhist symbol that represents eternal, or new life.
We were also able to visit a Cao Dai Temple, about an hour outside Ho Chi Minh City. It is a mystical, colorful religion founded in 1962 by the Holy See Tay Ninh. The Caodaists have many ethical practices like prayer, ancestor worship, nonviolence and vegetarianism in order that they may have freedom from the birth-death cycle and join God in heaven. They combine the beliefs Buddhism, Christianity and ancestor worship, and they revere the holy see, Victor Hugo and Jesus all in the same building.
“Caodaism, the invention of a Cochin civil servant, was a synthesis of
the three religions. The Holy See was at Tanyin. A pope and female
cardinals. Prophecy by planchette. Saint Victor Hugo. Christ and Buddha
looking down from the roof of the cathedral on a Walt Disney fantasia
of the East, dragons and snakes in Technicolor.”- Graham Green, The Quiet American
the three religions. The Holy See was at Tanyin. A pope and female
cardinals. Prophecy by planchette. Saint Victor Hugo. Christ and Buddha
looking down from the roof of the cathedral on a Walt Disney fantasia
of the East, dragons and snakes in Technicolor.”- Graham Green, The Quiet American
The myriad beliefs in Vietnam created an interesting and frequently overwhelming spiritual environment. God has a battle raging in Vietnam, and these are some of the faces for which He is fighting. Keep praying for Vietnam, and the World Race team that is spending October in the very hotel we just left, continuing to fight.
