Vietnam religion. What religions are there in Vietnam? Buddhism and other religions of Vietnam

The small state of Vietnam received on its territory the development of three world religions: Confucianism, Hinduism and Buddhism. However, for the most part, the population of Vietnam is not a follower of any religion.

Before the advent of communism in the country, Buddhism enjoyed authority among the state, but then the constant persecution of the communist regime gradually stopped the growth of Buddhism as a religion. But, despite this, Buddhism is still the most widespread religion in Vietnam among the population. The loyalty of the Central Buddhist Church to the authorities also contributes to this. Speaking about Buddhism, one cannot help but notice that one of the most famous buildings in the country is the pagoda dedicated to Buddha - Thien Mu. The seven-story tower crowning the pagoda attracts tourists from afar.

The religion of Vietnam is also represented by Catholicism, introduced by the French into the country. But again the intervention of communism did not allow its development. Relatively young, appearing in the 19th century, are the Hoa Hao and Cao Dai religions. As a religion in Vietnam, they are more common in the south of the state. The population in the southern central highlands of Vietnam is Protestant. In the mountainous regions of the country, residents retain traditional beliefs, when veneration of the dead, long mourning and sacrifices are considered a moral and religious duty. In this regard, the main place in the Vietnamese home is often the altar of their ancestors.

Despite the fact that the country declares freedom of religion, officially Vietnam is an atheist state.

Formed by the greatest philosophies and religions, the culture of Vietnam is unique and distinctive. Over the millennia, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism intertwined with the beliefs of the Chinese people and the centuries-old Vietnamese belief in spirits. Which, as a result, largely determined the cultural heritage of Vietnam. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that such an art form as religious sculpture is very developed in the country. This is eloquently evidenced by the country's pagodas and temples, regardless of what religion in Vietnam was in favor at the time of their construction. Bronze statues of gods and Buddhist indescribable images of dragons, images of mythical birds are only a small part of the amazing skill of religious sculptors. Very often in decorative art plant symbols are depicted, represented by peach, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo flowers.

Painting became widespread. In Vietnam it is traditionally done on silk. Music and dance are developed, on the basis of which many religious festivals are held. Many motives for melodies are taken from ancient legends.

The frequent presence in folklore of the ruler - the dragon Lac Long Quan, which occupies an important place in the history of the country, gives Vietnamese culture features inherent in the Asian region. Modern music tends to focus more on China. In the national style, compositions sounded using a bamboo flute are common, and plucked and bowed instruments are used. One of the interesting points is the popularity of Russian pop music in Vietnam.

Lacquer painting is widely developed in the country, also taken from China, which craftsmen use to decorate boxes, dishes, panels and other household items. And only in Vietnam can you see a puppet theater on the water, where, while controlling puppets, the actors stand behind a screen in waist-deep water.
The religion of Vietnam and the culture of the country have a significant imprint of local traditions, which the Vietnamese people associate with a rich mythology and many rituals.

In Vietnam, freedom of religion is guaranteed by the country's Constitution. However, until recently, government authorities actively intervened in this area of ​​life. Perhaps this is why, according to official data, more than 80% of Vietnamese citizens are considered non-believers. The world community actively criticized the existing situation in the country regarding religion. And now the situation has changed: according to sociological surveys of international organizations, the majority of Vietnamese consider themselves adherents of some faith. An interesting fact is that there is no “dominant” religion in the country, but quite a lot of different beliefs. What’s even more interesting is that some residents of Vietnam mysteriously manage to believe in several gods at once.

Traditional religions

This term is used to unite different beliefs associated with the deification of ancestors and spirits. For example, in Vietnam they believe in the Mother Goddess, and there is also an ancestor cult. Traditional religions are the most ancient, their echoes can be found in different countries of the world. For example, in Russia it is customary to give part of the funeral treat to the deceased (a glass of vodka covered with a piece of bread or candy at the grave). This is an ancient tradition associated with honoring the souls of ancestors. And the Mother Goddess existed in many early religions of the world, for example, in Greek mythology she became Gaia, the goddess of the Earth and everything that is born on it.

In Vietnamese homes, it is common to ask questions and consult with the dead. There are so-called home altars associated with the veneration of the dead. The Vietnamese believe that if you do not show respect to your ancestors, they may become offended and begin to take revenge. Interestingly, traditional beliefs can be combined with others. For example, a resident of Vietnam may consider himself a Buddhist and at the same time pay tribute to deceased relatives according to the traditions of the cult of ancestors. According to some data, traditional religions are practiced by more than half of the Vietnamese.

Buddhism

This religion in Vietnam is the oldest and most widespread, after traditional beliefs. Even a tourist visiting the country for the first time will understand this by the presence of Buddha statues, which can be found almost everywhere. Now in Vietnam, as well as throughout the world, there are several directions of this religion. The most common is Mahayana Buddhism. This trend arose in India, and from there it came to the territory of modern Vietnam back in the 1st century BC.

Tourists will be interested in seeing Buddhist temples and Buddha statues. Many of these religious buildings are impressive in their size, beauty or originality. The most famous statues and temples:

Christianity

In Vietnam, the Christian religion is mainly represented by Catholicism. As evidence of this, you can see Catholic churches in different cities of the country. But there are also Orthodox Christians in Vietnam, including immigrants from Russia. The French brought Catholicism to the country, because this territory was under their colonial rule. Catholics have a difficult relationship with the country's leadership: no one seems to oppress them, but they constantly put forward new demands to the authorities. The claims mainly concern the transfer of cultural objects from state ownership to the hands of the church. Protests sometimes lead to clashes with security forces.

Islam

The Islamists of Vietnam have always lived somewhat separately from the rest of the world. And although they observe religious traditions, go to mosques and revere the Koran, some rituals take place here in their own way. For example, Ramadan lasts three days for Vietnamese Islamists, and not a month, like Muslims around the world. There are few mosques in the country, so ordinary tourists may not visit them.

Other religions

What other religion is there in Vietnam? There are many of them: there is Judaism, Confucianism, and new movements in the country, such as Cao Dai and Hoa Hao. The last two cults arose from a mixture of different religions: Christianity, Buddhism and others. It is believed that Cao Dai preaches to more than 2 million people, but this is unofficial information.

Whatever your religion, when you visit Vietnam, be sure to visit temples with Buddha statues. This is one of the main attractions of the country. And don’t refuse the excursion, because you can learn a lot of interesting things about the features of Buddhism in Vietnam. Even if you are not at all interested in religion, the ancient pagodas with majestic statues will impress you!

It came as a surprise to us that Vietnam is by no means a Buddhist country. We expected that here, as in all Asian countries, there would be temples everywhere, houses for spirits, Buddhas at every step, but everything turned out differently. Most Vietnamese are atheists. They have no concept of faith in anything. So what is the religion in Vietnam? I'll tell you about the main ones.

Buddhism

There are still a number of Buddhists in Vietnam, only about 15% according to official data. According to our observations, the Vietnamese are also Buddhists. There are very few Buddhist temples, Buddha statues and all that. You have to search hard to see at least one temple.

For example, when coming to prayer in Vietnam, Vietnamese youth take more selfies than pray (Selfie is taking a photograph of oneself). And how can one pray here? Local kids play football right next to the Buddha statue, squeal loudly and disturb visitors. I can’t imagine such a picture in any of our churches, where everyone should walk to a line and talk in a whisper.

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For everyone this behavior is normal

A few years ago, at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, we were reprimanded by an employee simply because Slava, without a second thought, put his arm around my back a little so that we wouldn’t be hurt in the crowd. So, this is both a plus and a minus of Buddhist temples, it seems that it’s great when there is freedom of action and behavior, but until someone’s free behavior begins to interfere with you.

Christianity

Approximately seven percent of the population is Catholic. Catholic churches in Vietnam are no less common than Buddhist temples. Looking at the crosses in Vietnam, you somehow feel uneasy; the Asian country does not fit in with Christianity.

Islam

Currently, more than 60 thousand Muslims live in Vietnam. Modern Muslims in Vietnam are mostly older people, most of whom have Arabic names. In everyday life in Cham quarters, you can constantly see headscarves and long sleeves. Although, we have not yet seen a single mosque either in Nha Trang or Ho Chi Minh City.

Caodaism in Vietnam

There is another interesting religion in Vietnam. Today, it is estimated that there are about 3 million followers of Caodaism. Vietnamese who fled abroad after the Communists took power brought the Cao Dai religion to Western countries, although the number of its followers there is small. Caodaism is an example of an attempt to create an ideal religion by combining secular and religious philosophies of the East and West. Including parts of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Vietnamese Natural Spiritualism, Christianity and Islam. The main principles of Caodaism include the belief in one God, the existence of the soul, and the use of mediums to communicate with the spirit world.

This is such a diverse and multi-religious Vietnam. In addition to the listed religions, Hinduism, Judaism, and Bahaism are also found in Vietnam. It is believed that religion in Vietnam is suppressed by the communist state, so official data may be inaccurate. However, judging by the meager number of temples, we can conclude that these data are close to the truth. Apparently, indeed, the main religion in Vietnam is atheism.

What religions are there in Vietnam?

It was once generally accepted that Vietnam was a Buddhist country, by analogy with its South Asian neighbors. It turns out not at all. And not because it is a socialist republic. But because about 70% of Vietnamese are simply atheists. There is no official - state - religion here, but according to statistics, 16% of the population are Buddhists, 8% are Christians (Catholics and Protestants), there are Muslims, Hindus, animists and adherents of small religious sects. Absolutely all Vietnamese practice the cult of ancestors, and a very small percentage are adherents of the national religion Cao Dai.

In the 2nd century AD. Buddhism came to Vietnam. This was the Mahayana movement, one of the most humane religious teachings in the world. It is considered “northern”, as it is common in China, Japan, Korea and northern Vietnam. A little later, in the south in the Mekong Delta, followers of another branch of Buddhism, more orthodox, appear - Theravada. Nowadays there are few of them left - these are the Vietnamese Khmers.

Hinduism appeared on the territory of Vietnam during the Cham state. It came in the form of Shaivism - it was brought from India. To this day, there are Cham Towers throughout Vietnam - ancient Hindu temples, some of which are still in use. One of these is Michon in Central Vietnam.

Confucianism is pure Chinese influence. It was implanted during Chinese rule, which lasted almost 8 centuries. The Chinese, trying to deprive the people of their cultural identity and independence, stubbornly, overcoming the resistance of the local people, created schools of Confucianism. At the same time, Chinese writing was introduced. But the Chinese failed to overcome Buddhism, because they converted mainly noble and bureaucratic people to their faith. But the bulk of the people remained faithful to their Buddhist faith. And yet, Confucianism became the main state religion in the 14th century and remained so until the 19th century.

China “enriched” its neighbors with another religion – Taoism. Many local Vietnamese beliefs were influenced by him. Its main idea is agreement with the world order, harmony between man and nature. Gradually, Taoism “overgrown” with rituals and superstitions, trying to penetrate the secrets of the universe and the universe.

Christianity is a legacy of the French colonial period. The first missionaries appeared in Vietnam in the 16th century, and with the arrival of the French, Catholic cathedrals began to be built. Sometimes it seems that it is easier to come across a Catholic temple in Vietnam than a Buddhist pagoda. Catholic Christmas is widely celebrated in Vietnam and Vietnamese Catholics are happy to show you their crosses.

Protestantism was brought to Vietnam by a Canadian missionary at the beginning of the 20th century. Members of the Christian Missionary Union followed him. As a result, today there is a presence in Vietnam of the Southern Evangelical Church of Vietnam and the smaller Northern Evangelical Church.

Islam came to Vietnam in the 17th century, when the Cham state began to collapse and the Cham began to accept Islam under the influence of Arab traders. Many of them moved south to the Mekong Delta, joining there with the Khmers, who were also carriers of Islam at that time. But their confession is very insignificant, and, moreover, completely isolated from other representatives of this religion in the world. Thus, it has absorbed all any significant religions of the world.

Ancestor cult

This is what all Vietnamese worship. It is based on the belief that all deceased ancestors are in constant communication with living descendants. Every home, every office, cafe, restaurant, store, run-down shop must have an altar of ancestors. Every day incense sticks are lit on it, it must be tidy and clean. In addition, there should always be fruit on the ancestral altar. This is sacred.

A Vietnamese will never open his own business without asking his ancestors for prosperity and a lot of money. A whole ritual is carried out. To do this, everyone involved in the future business - owners and employees - gathers in front of the opening store, private office, cafe or workshop. A special metal basin is placed at the threshold, sticks are lit, a prayer is read, and then ritual money is burned in the basin. They are sold in stores specifically for such cases. The ancestors will then return them to their descendants in the form of business income.

Special honors are paid to the dead on the eve of Tet. They are invited to return to their family to celebrate the New Year together. A table laden with refreshments is placed under the open sky. On the last day of the lunar year, everyone is sure to visit the graves, clean the home altar and put in order the prayer rooms, where, in addition to the altar, there are usually portraits of deceased relatives.

Twice a lunar month - every second and fifteenth day, the same tables with refreshments are set up. They contain not only food, but also rice vodka and lit cigarettes - according to the number of deceased relatives. They should have the same pleasure as the living ones.

According to Vietnamese beliefs, the souls of all the dead first go to hell. Once a year (in August), the gates to hell open and at this time you need to give clothes and money to the deceased. It is believed that they need them just like the living ones. Therefore, every August, the already mentioned basins are placed near houses in which old clothes and ritual money are burned - money for hell.

Vietnam is a socialist country, and in a socialist society everyone must be an atheist. According to official data, 81% of the population does not identify themselves with any religious denomination, but it should be assumed that this figure is quite overestimated. Most likely, the command to falsify the survey results was given from above. This makes it even more interesting to find out the answer to the question: “What is the religion in Vietnam?”

What answer regarding the religion of Vietnam does Wikipedia offer its readers? According to the information contained in the electronic encyclopedia, the majority of Vietnamese (about 45%) profess traditional religions, such as the cult of the mother goddess and the cult of ancestors.
The first mono-religions that penetrated the territory of the modern Vietnamese state were Taoism, Confucianism, and Mahayana Buddhism. Of all of them, only Buddhism has firmly established itself. It is the second most common among the population (close to 16%).

8% of respondents answered that they considered themselves Christians, and moreover, Catholics (there are no Orthodox Christians here at all, except perhaps for visiting Russians), which is not surprising given the French expansion in the past. About 30% should be considered non-religious.
Religions (Vietnam) Islam, Protestantism, Cao Dai, Hoa Hoa are represented in small quantities.
It is interesting to look at the religious map of Vietnam.

Thus, Buddhist temples are located throughout the country. In every city you can find a Buddhist pagoda, or even more than one.
In the past, there were many Christians in French cities (Dalat, Sapa), and Catholic cathedrals were built there (as well as in large cities - Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City).

The people of the Chams (or Chams) profess orthodox Islam (Sunnis), but sometimes among them you can also find representatives of such a religion as Hinduism.
Hard-to-reach villages in the mountains are inhabited by those who are still faithful to early forms of beliefs - totemism, animism.

Only visiting foreigners profess Judaism.
The Orthodox parish operates only in Vung Tau, since there are many Russians working in the oil industry there.

The Constitution of the state enshrines a norm guaranteeing freedom of religion. But it is rather declarative in nature, since in reality the rights of believers in Vietnam are infringed.
The Communist Party officially gave permission for the open existence of several religions. Among them: Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Cao Dai, Hoa Hoa.
Religions that threaten the existence and authority of the Communist Party are declared “outlawed.”

For example, Vietnamese Mennonites are still persecuted. In 2004, their leader Nguyen Hong Quang actually deprived him of his housing, razing it to the ground.

Nguyen Van Dai, the main representative of the legal evangelical church, was arrested. The authorities did not even try to hush up the reason for this. This included human rights activities in the field of freedom of religion.

We recommend everyone to visit the Buddhist pagodas of indescribable beauty both inside and outside. Entrance to them is open to everyone. The only condition is that you must behave appropriately and respect the feelings of the believers who have come to pray.