Religion
Religion
RELIGION
Vietnamese religious beliefs have been influenced by combined values of the three traditional religions forming the Tarn Giao (Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism), as well as ancestor worship, Catholicism and Islam.
Buddhism
Introduced in Viet Nam in the 2nd century, Buddhism reached its apogee during the Ly Dynasty (11th century) and was considered as the official ideology. Its influence also left marks in various areas of traditional literature and architecture. Many pagodas and temples were built during this time.
At the end of the 14* century, Buddhism began to show signs of decline. Yet, the ideological influence of Buddhism remained very strong in social and cultural life. Now, over 70% of the population of Viet Nam are either Buddhist or strongly influenced by Buddhist practices.
Confucianism
Confucianism originated from China and propagated to Viet Nam in the early Chinese domination period. It is a moral doctrine advising people that they have a part of responsibility in their fate, that they must love one another, and must not think of abstract things of the next world. A solution (set by Confucianism) for saving people from misfortunes is to create a peaceful, stable society arranged as a family in which members get along with each other.
Most Vietnamese feudal dynasties chose Confucianism as the national religion. During the Ly Dynasty, the Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) and Quoc Tu Giam (Imperial College) were built in 1070 and 1076 respectively. In 1076, the first exam, which was a milestone of the Confucian era, was held. Winners of examinations have been appointed to key positions since the 15* century.
Due to the influence of Confucianism, Vietnamese feudal dynasties paid much attention to the education, seeking talent, looking for and compiling books. The Vietnamese, therefore, became more hardworking and venerated teachers, scholars with knowledge.
Taoism
Taoism is a philosophy founded by Lao Tseu (Lao Tu), a Chinese contemporary of Confucius. The ideas and doctrines of his religion are explained in his book entitled Dao Due Kinh (The Book of Morality). The central idea of this philosophical wisdom is to live purely and simply. It relies on harmony between Man, Nature and a Universal Order.
Taoism has progressively been enriched by mysteries and superstitions linked to witchcraft and to ways of unveiling the secrets of the universe.
According to the intellectual classes, Taoism nourishes laziness, freedom of speech and pessimism. As far as the popular classes are concerned, it mainly gave birth to superstitions as evocations, prophecies and sorcery.
Most of the times, spirits of Taoism are worshipped on the same altars as the other Vietnamese genies. Taoism had a significant influence on the formation of different beliefs in Viet Nam.
Ancestor Worship
A very popular custom among Vietnamese is the cult of the ancestors. In every household, an ancestor altar is installed in the most solemn location. Vietnamese believe that the soul of a dead person, even if dead for many generations, still rests along with its descendants on earth. The dead and living persons still have spiritual communion; in everyday life, people must not forget that what they enjoy and how they feel is the same as it is for their dead relatives.
On the last day of every lunar year, an announcing cult, cung tien thuong, is performed to invite the dead forefathers to return home to celebrate the Tet holiday with their families. During the last days before Tet, all family members visit their ancestors' graves; they clean and decorate the graves in the same manner that they clean and decorate their houses to welcome the New Year.
On the anniversary of an ancestor's death, descendants and relatives gather and prepare a feast to worship the dead, and to ask for health and happiness for themselves. From generation to generation, ancestor worship customs have always been preserved. There are some small variations in those customs among the many Vietnamese ethnic groups, but a common theme of fidelity and gratitude towards the ancestors persists.
Caodaism
The Cao Dai religion was first introduced in Viet Nam in 1926 by header of district named Ngo Van Chieu, a civil servant from Phu Quoc Island, in South Viet Nam. It is also known as Tarn Ky Pho Do, a name that insists on the importance of the cult of the three supreme beings: Buddha, Jesus Christ and the Spirit of Cao Dai.
With the authorization of the French governor of Cochin China, Caodaism was officially recognized in 1926. The Eye is the sacred symbol of that religion.
The Church in Tay Ninh is the central point where are located settlements of Cao Dai followers in South Viet Nam. Now, followers can also be found in Central Viet Nam, Central Highlands, and even in the North of the country.
Hoa Hao Sect
The Hoa Hao sect was first introduced in Viet Nam in 1939. It is derived from Buddhism and is inspired by values like mercy, love, equality, as well as causality law.
Followers don't do any offerings of meat, fish or votive papers to honour Buddha. The rituals are very simple and consist of offerings of water, flowers and joss sticks. Water symbolizes cleanness, flowers (purity), and incense washes from dirt.
Believers respect a vegetarian diet four days a month. Nowadays, more than 1 million
Vietnamese are followers of this sect. Most of them live in the south-west of Viet Nam.
Catholicism
Catholicism was introduced in Viet Nam in the 17th century by missionaries from Portugal, Spain, and France. Pope Alexander 11 assigned the first bishops to Viet Nam in 1659. Nine years later, the first Viet Nam-priests were ordained.
During the French Domination period, many churches were built in Viet Nam. Nowadays, over 5 millions people are considered to be catholic. The most densely populated catholic areas are Bui Chu - Phat Diem, in Ninh Binh Province, and Ho Nai-Bien Hoa in Dong Nai Province.
Protestantism
Protestantism was introduced in Viet Nam in 1911 and had the same dogma as Catholicism. Now, most Protestants live in the Central Highlands. There is also a Protestant Church in Hang Da Str, in Ha Noi. The number of Protestants is estimated at near 1 millions people.
Islam
Most of the Islamic followers in Viet Nam are of the Cham ethnic minority living in Central Viet Nam. The number of Islamic followers in Viet Nam is estimated at over 60,000 people
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