Vietnam: religion and its features

If you look at Vietnam on the map of religions, then in the eye will rush a few features. Firstly, it is a country in which there is no official state religion: Vietnam is tolerant of different religions. Secondly, religious denominations are represented in Vietnam in a wide range. In addition to the three main oriental teachings (Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism), one can find here Christian and Islamic traditions. There are also local religious teachings - this is Hoachao and Kaodaism. And although the bulk of the population does not belong to a particular religious school, in Vietnam faith in ancestors and spirits is strong: in almost every house you can see a small altar with photographs of the deceased, offerings and incense.

Mahayana Buddhism

Buddhism in Vietnam occupies, perhaps, the leading place among other religions, the number of adherents is about 15% of the total population of the country. It is distributed mainly in the form of Mahayana and appeared thanks to the Indian monks in the II century BC. During the reign of the Li dynasty (XI century), Buddhism was considered a state religion (now there is no officially established religious denomination in the country). Hinayana Buddhism and Zen Buddhism are also present in Vietnam.

Although most of the country's population is atheistic, Buddhism conquered Vietnam, religion spread among all sections of the population throughout the country's history. Vietnam is by no means full of Buddhist pagodas and prayer houses, but if desired, you can find very interesting objects. Near the familiar city of Phan Thiet, which is closer to the south of the country, is a sacred complex of Buddhists - Mount Taku. Until recently, it was possible to climb it only on foot, the lift took more than two hours. However, it's worth it: besides the prayer complex, several pagodas and the real jungle, here is the largest statue in Vietnam - the Buddha in a pose of lying. Its height is 11, and its length is 49 meters. It was created in the 60s of the XX century for donations and by the forces of monks. The constant impact of water adversely affects the monument, and therefore conducts its regular restoration.

And yet, Vietnam, whose main religion now is Buddhism, is a non-religious country in matters of observance of canons.

Confucianism and Taoism

Confucianism came to the XV century in Vietnam: the religion of China was replaced by Buddhism, in which by that time there was a split. The teaching spread in the north of the country, where the influence of Chinese culture is mainly observed.

The importance of Confucianism for Vietnam is great: in accordance with this ideology, the foundations of the state structure were laid and the science of the new time developed. Until the 19th century, Confucianism held the status of a state religion, widespread among the nobility.

With regard to the teachings of Lao Tzu, it can not be said that it manifested itself fully as a religion: Vietnam perceived new concepts and assimilated them in accordance with their local beliefs, which implied belief in ancestors and spirits.

Christianity in Vietnam

Christian culture is represented in Vietnam in various ways, but Catholicism prevails all the same: about 7% of the total population are Catholics.

Influence from Europe began later than from the East, therefore only by the 16th century the Christian missionaries reached Vietnam. By the way, one of them, Alexander de Rod, is considered the inventor of Vietnamese writing, based on the Latin alphabet, before that, in Vietnam, used hieroglyphic writing like Chinese.

By the second half of the 17th century, Catholic priests and the first Bible in Vietnamese appeared in Vietnam. Today, most Catholics are in the northern province of Ninh Binh and in the southern - Dongai.

Protestantism appeared in Vietnam at the beginning of the 20th century and spread mainly among small nationalities. Christians are practically absent in the country, and parishes are visited mostly by foreign workers.

Islam

Muslims in Vietnam are divided into two groups. The first is the Muslims of the Champa (believed to be the founders of Islam in Vietnam). The second large group of Muslims are those who accepted the faith after marriage or are a representative of a mixed marriage between a Vietnamese and a Muslim.

In the territory of central and southern Vietnam, until the 16th century, the kingdom of Champa existed. Initially, the Cham people professed Hinduism, then converted to Islam. It was thanks to him that Islam spread throughout Vietnam. To date, about 80% of all remaining chamas profess Islam, although their numbers are not large.

Modern Muslims in Vietnam are few and isolated from their co-religionists in other countries. In part, they inhabit the hard-to-reach areas of the south of the country, where popular beliefs are also prevalent.

The Religion of Kao Dai and Hoa Hao

These two cults are a synthesis of philosophical teachings of the East and the Christian tradition with elements of spiritualism. They appeared only to the 30th years of the XX century and were more like sects, confronting both with each other, and with the Communists. The distribution area, like most religions of Vietnam, is the south of the country. Only recently, the government began to treat Hoa Hao and Kao Dai more loyal, allowing some rituals.

The cult of Kao Dai positions himself as a synthesis of the ideas of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity, that is, as a more perfect religion. Hoa Hao is also a syncretic religion, but focuses more on the Buddhist concept.

Religion penetrated into Vietnam both from the east and from the West. Loyal and open attitude of the people of the country to foreign influences promoted the spread of multi-belief and polytheism.

Religious map of Vietnam

When looking at Vietnam on the map, one can catch the peculiarity of the spread of religious confessions throughout the country: the overwhelming majority of them are located to the south of the country. Tamge is especially strong in belief in various spirits and deities. The south of the country is the place where the mystical Vietnam, the religion of the West, the teachings of the East are combined. It is amazing.

Vietnam, religion - concepts, which when combined give a very original result. European churches and churches look extremely unusual in Asia, just like Muslim mosques. In addition, any religion in Vietnam bears traces of local beliefs and memory of the deceased. And in conclusion - the believers of the Vietnamese, in their bulk, do not strictly obey orders, but rather follow the middle path.