VIETNAM THAILAND
As a geographical melting pot
throughout time for Northern
(Chinese) and Western (Indian)
influences regarding religion, the
specifics of Buddhism in Vietnam
might be difficult to pin down for
an outsider looking in. Certain
elements of Taoism and Chinese
spirituality have merged with
Vietnamese folk religion, making
for a remarkably syncretic doctrine.
The Jade Emperor Pagoda
ser ves as a quintessential
example. Located in Ho Chi Minh
City, this temple was constructed
to honor the supreme Taoist
god (The King of Heaven, Ngoc
Hoang), but boasts papier-mâché
statues from both Buddhist and
Taoist lore all the same. A visit here
sees you shoulder-to-shoulder in
incense-clouded corridors with
active worshippers for either and
both — like the deities on display,
the religions intermingle. Outside,
a pond swarming with turtles caps
off the atmospheric experience —
or potentially inspires you to visit
the Suoi Tien Cultural Theme
Park. Also located in Ho Chi Minh
City, the world’s first Buddhist
water park proves a refreshing
way to dive into the religion
beyond temples and shrines.
To the north, outside the city
of Hanoi, the Perfume Pagoda
offers another sensory experience.
A series of Buddhist temples
carved into the limestone rock of
the Huong Tich mountains, the
resulting maze of alleyways is
interspersed with caves, forests,
serene streams and tropical foliage
— the picture-perfect setting for
reflection and discovery. If you
time your visit right, it can coincide
with the Huong Pagoda festival.
Lasting from mid-January to mid-
March, ceremonies, performances
and activities unite to provide
divine revelry. Buddhism in Thailand is a
departure from the previous two
countries. While they were one
form or another of Mahāyāna
Buddhism (derived from Chinese
Buddhist traditions focused on
the “Great Vehicle”), Buddhism
in Thailand centers around
Theravāda — “The Teachings of the
Elders.” As a whole, the country is
awash in the religion: Over 95% of
Thailand practices Buddhism, and
some 300,000 of those individuals
are monks. There are over 41,000
temples in the country: You could
venture anywhere and find a
stunning architectural sanctuary
worth visiting.
While all of Thailand sports
Buddhist temples and teachings,
Bangkok proves to be the prime
place for perusing it. The oldest
(and largest) of the temples is Wat
Pho. Housed on Rattanakosin
Island, existing before Bangkok
was established, the towering
spires of the complex are the first
of many awe-inspiring sights:
Every building has stunning
displays of art, with the 46-meter-
long, gold-leaf-covered reclining
Buddha being the centerpiece.
The fact that this is also the best
place to experience a traditional
Thai massage makes it a mind-
and-body experience.
Perhaps the only temple that
can surpass the experience of
Wat Pho is Wat Phra Kaew. While
not the largest or the oldest, it is
the most sacred temple in the
country — and therefore the most
visited. At the center of the fervor
sits The Emerald Buddha — a
striking figure standing 26 inches
tall and carved from one single
piece of jade. The legend around
this piece is only matched by the
mystery — making a visit to it the
sort of experience to stay with you
well after your trip has concluded.
Wat Phra Kaew in Thailand
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