Coexisting Traditions, Hoi An
Tag: Buddhism
Buddhism with Vietnamese Characteristics, Da Nang
The Buu Dai Son Pagoda (Chùa Bửu Đài Sơn) is one of my favorites in the Da Nang / Hoi An area. It sits facing the sea (my back is to the beach and the East Sea) several kilometers from downtown Da Nang on the seaside road heading to the Son Tra peninsula. Like many Buddhist sites in Southeast Asia, Buu Dai Son is garish and colorful, in this case in a distinctly Vietnamese way. I looked but could not find the date this pagoda was founded or the date its current structures were built, though I have no doubt the buildings are of recent origin. At the same time, there is no question that the designer was inspired by historical sites like the Eastern Guard Tower in Hue and numerous other traditional Vietnamese structures, both religious and secular in origin, scattered throughout the country.
Burning Incense, Cholon, Saigon
Incense burning inside the Ba Thien Hau Pagoda located in Saigon’s Cholon area.
Phnom Penh Buddha
Buddha Workshop, Phnom Penh
Gilt Dragon, Luang Prabang, Laos
Manuscript Preservation Center, Luang Prabang
Wat Siphoutthabath, Luang Prabang
Not all of the Buddhist temples in Luang Prabang were gilded and affluent looking. The grounds of Wat Siphoutthabath were rather overgrown and some of the buildings were locked and appeared to be not in use. Beauty of a different sort.
Haw Pha Bang, Luang Prabang, Laos
This stately temple is located next to the Royal Palace formerly occupied by the king resident in Luang Prabang. Today the palace is a historical museum, part of the UNESCO Town of Luang Prabang World Heritage Site. Though I did not see any activity when I was there, I assume the temple is still in use.
Buddhist Temple Art, Laos
Another image from Wat Xiengthong in Luang Prabang