ancestor worship and tombs, by Joan

We have been spending our days hiking through the rice paddies of Vietnam. What is striking about the countryside is how many tombs and temples there are.

Religious worship appears to be less about going to a community church or synagogue, and more about having religious experiences at home. Most houses have a small box, either inside or on the outside patio, with a Buddha or other goddess statue, often accompanied by burning incense or fresh flowers or fruit. Because the Buddhists believe in reincarnation they leave food for the dead, who apparently need it to get back here again!

The Vietnamese bury their dead rather than cremate them as is done in India, so the countryside is sprinkled with tombs. They are often in the middle of a rice paddy, because that is family land and the Feng Shui of a tomb is good. Or they might be in the family clan temple, if the family is rich and powerful enough to have one. Or in the front yard of the house. Or in the community cemetery if the family is not too wealthy.The Vietnamese celebrate a person's death more than their birth.

We also witnessed a funeral. The length of the funeral celebration is determined by a priest who looks at the person's time of  birth, death and other important factors of his or her life. The funeral celebration takes place in the home, marked by special flags, and could last several days.

-- Joan