Empty Nesters on a Green Global Trek

A fundamental organizing principle for Viet Nam: The belief system and rituals that regard the spirit world.  Vietnamese believe that there are two kinds of ghosts – those spirits who are “at peace” and were buried nearby their ancestral home and land, and those spirits called “hungry spirits”.  Hungry spirits refers to people who died far away from home and therefore are still roaming the physical world  trying to find resolution.

In a country that lost so many soldiers and civilians during the American War, this is  still today a very real issue and concern. Many families have spent years trying to find their dead family members so as to return the remains to their home town.

The policy of the Communist Party in Viet nam is that belief in the spirit world and ghosts, is not modern, and therefore not tolerated.  In practice, however, we discover that there is an omni-present practice  of offering one’s ancestors appropriate acknowledgement in daily life.

Everyone has a shrine in their home (and often at work as well), and or outside their home. Inside the home is for ancestors and outside the home is for praying to Buddha and for roaming spirits (hungry ghosts.) Some homes have their very own temples, and others share a few amongst the community. These temples have beautiful architecture, paintings, carvings, colors and are a tranquil place to sit and meditate for a while.

Honoring the spirit world, from tiny to grandiose…

The omnipresent incense holder

Usually found on the wall or near the gate outside a house, as well as inside shrines.

The incense holder, in its most basic form.

A typical small shrine outside the house to pray to buddha and to appease “hungry ghosts”.

Most shrines are visible from the street.

If you look inside the shrine, you will see a small white horse ….

The white horse was the king and queen’s mode of transportation and symbolizes freedom of movement for the wandering spirits.

This shrine is out in the field and assists the farmer in attaining good crops and healthy cows.

Inside the home, the shrine is often given a central or important location.

The shrines which are inside the house often have accompanying photographs of the ancestors.

A whole wall of incense holders opposite a communal temple in the countryside.

A lovely pale green very “simple”  temple in the countryside.

Near the beach, a goat frolicks  across the sand where there are small burial grounds.

Chinese architecture came with Buddhism and can be seen reflected in many temples.

This rather ornate temple is attached to a private home.

Our favorite temples are the older, aged ones which dot the countryside like jewels in a haystack.

This temple has gorgeous paintings at the bottom reflecting the fishermen community. The stage drapes, flowers and fruit on either side are painted murals.

Close up of the painted fishing scene.

The painted mural in this shrine has faded to muted pastel tones.

Hoi An city temple with ornate ceramic roof tiles and sculptures.

3D carvings on the wall.

Beautiful painted relief panels.

This temple is richly adorned with wood carvings in the doors and windows.

Detail of the sculpted roof and ceramic tiles

Rural temples ~ the ochre color dominates.

Each temple has its own unique character. This one rich with red lacquer.

The large red drum hanging overhead is used for ceremonies.

Lighting incense. Wow ~ how did  I get to be color co-ordinated with this temple?

Tranquil temple, near Than Ha – one of our favorites due to the scattering of several ochre color buildings in a shaded courtyard.