Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – On the occasion of the ad limina apostolorum visit of the Bishops of Vietnam, 22 June, Fides publishes information on the life of the local Catholic Church, other religions present, the economy and society.
Four great philosophies and religions are the basis of the religious and spiritual life of the Vietnamese people: Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity. Through the centuries Confucianesim, Taoism and Buddhism embraced popular Chinese beliefs and traditional Vietnamese Animism , creating what is known as Tam Giao (the triple religion).
Confucianesim, which more than a religion is a social and political system, has assumed many religious aspects. Taoism, at first an esoteric philosophy for scholars, in the rural world fused with Buddhism and many of its elements became part of popular religion. Mahayana (Northern) Buddhism, coming from China, known also as the School of the Great Wheel, the School of the Great Vehicle and Buddhism of the North, is the main religion in Vietnam. Theravada Buddhism (from the South) also called in Hinayana, School of the Little Wheel, School of the Little Vehicle and Buddhism of the south , reached Vietnam directly from India. It is practised mainly in the region of Mekong, especially by the Khmer.
The Cult of the Ancestors a ritual expression of filial devotion (hieu), developed long before Confucianesim and Buddhism were imported into the country and is considered by some as a “religion within a religion”. The Cult of the Ancestors is based on the belief that the soul lives after death, and protects its descendants. The Vietnamese traditionally venerate and honour the spirits of their ancestors offering sacrifices to the protector of the family and his spirit.
Dao Cao Dai (Caodaism in English) is the third largest religion in Vietnam (after Buddhism and Roman Catholicism). "Cao" means "high"; "Dai" means "palace". Caodai refers to the supreme palace where God reigns. The word is also used as God's symbolic name. Caodaism is a syncretistic religion which combines elements from many of the world's main religions, including Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, as well as Geniism, an indigenous religion of Viet Nam.. In Vietnam it is practised by two million people. Islam, practised mainly by Cham and Khmer, represents 0.5% of the population. Catholics represent 6.79% of the population
Protestant Christianity, introduced in Vietnam in 1911, has about 200,000 followers, mainly Montagnards, mountain people, living in the centre and the north of the country.
When the Vietnamese are asked which religion the follow they usually reply Buddhist, but in the family and civic duties they follow Confucianesim, and with regard to the interpretation of nature and the cosmos, are influenced mainly by Taoism. (PA) (3 – to be continued) (Agenzia Fides 25/6/2009 righe 31 parole 386)
