Khmer temples with bright and colourful pagodas appear intermittently in luxurious coconut groves and orchards in the Mekong Delta. The Khmer’s house may be simple but their temple must be splendid and solemn. Superior bonze Ly Hung, who resided at Pitu Khosarangsay temple in Can Tho city as a dignitary said, “The Khmer temple holds Buddhist rituals and keeps Khmer traditional customs and practices. It can be large or small depending on the financial capacity of the village. A spacious and beautiful temple shows that Khmer villagers there are living a prosperous life”.

More than 600,000 Khmer people are currently living in the Mekong Delta. On average, there is one temple per 1,000 - 2,000 Khmer people.

According to Nguyen Thanh Tam, deputy head of the Religion and Ethnicity Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in Can Tho, there are 12 temples in the city, which belonged to the Khmer Hinayana Buddhist Society. The Khmer population there is not very large but their cultural activities are very dynamic. The temple has a great impact on the lives of the Khmer as all their cultural activities are held there. Superior bonzes and other dignitaries play a very important role in guiding and assisting them in their spiritual and material lives.

The Khmer people celebrate eight festivals in a year and all festivals are held in their temples. Cholchonam Thmay or the New Year Festival in the Khmer calendar is held on three days around the middle of April. On the first day, villagers attend worship to Buddha in their temple and then hold a procession to carry a big calendar from the temple to the village. In the afternoon they held a ritual to build a sand mountain. This ritual ceremony attracts a largest number of people as they think a grain of sand can save a sinner of this world. On New Year’s Eve, they hold a ceremony to farewell the old year and welcome the New Year. Villagers concentrate in the temple to listen to a story of Buddha’s life. On the second day, Khmer villagers bring fragrant lotion to bathe Buddha in the sanctum and spray water on the monks. On the third day, the monks hold a requiem wishing the dead a peaceful rest and a happy life for the living.

Boat race in Ooc Om Bok festival

The Khmer people worship their ancestors in their Dolta Festival at the end of the 8^th lunar month. They invite monks to their house to chant Buddhist scriptures and then go to the temple together. The moon-worshipping Ooc Om Bok festival begins with a green rice flakes making ceremony to celebrate the harvest and welcome fine and sunny days. After that they involve in dancing, singing and other entertainments. The festival ends with a very dramatic Ghe (boat) race at noon when the water rises on a one-km long straight and beautiful part of the river. Le Phu Khai, a reporter specialising in the Mekong Delta, said, “It is interesting that the Ghe and other devices of this traditional sport are designed by Khmer monks. The Ghe is painted and carved into a splendid dragon. A Ghe can carry 52 strong young men at the same time for the race”.

Buddha statues on the fence of the sanctum

The Khmer people follow Buddhism and believe in the next incarnation. Young Khmer boys must enter a temporary monkhood to show gratitude to their parents. In the temple, they learn Buddhism and the Khmer and Vietnamese languages. They believe monkhood will educate them to become good persons.

The Khmer Hinayana monks wear yellow robes. Yellow is the colour of Buddha’s flag and rice. A salvage cutting across the dress is the symbol of the edge of the rice field. Khmer monks have a strong attachment to their families and the society. They participate in all social activities in their localities. That is why their temples act as religious, ideological, cultural and social centres for all Khmer villages.

Original architecture of Khmer temples

All Khmer Hinayana Buddhist temples are built with the same layout. The sanctum is always constructed first in the middle of the temple precinct. After that the Eastern and Western chambers will be built.

The temple has a curved roof. A high tower emerged from the triangle tower. All pillars are carved into an eagle with a human body in relief which raises its arms to support the pillar. The end of each roof is carved into a snake rising up to the sky.

The temple with rising roof symbolises the wish and joy of Khmer people living in the Mekong Delta to build a prosperous life.

Vietnam is celebrating the Lunar New Year Festival. Khmer people lavishly decorate their temples to welcome the New Year together with the Viet (Vietnamese) and Hoa (Chinese Vietnamese) community.

 

Can Tho: Religious policy builds trust in the Khmer people

VOVNews reporter interviewed Nguyen Thanh Tam, deputy head of the Religion and Ethnicity Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in Can Tho city.

VOVNews: What is the role of the Front in religious life in Can Tho city?

Mr Tam: The Front unites all social sectors. Religions have a strong impact on people’s thinking and sentiments. The Front gathers and unites all religious dignitaries, monks and nuns and makes them understand the Party and State policies and encourages them to strictly realise these policies. Recently, the Can Tho Committee of the Fatherland Front has successively fulfilled this mission. Through religious dignitaries, monks and nuns, the Committee has launched different activities and encouraged the entire population to build a cultural life.

VOVNews: How have State policies on religious freedom been implemented in Can Tho recently?

Mr Tam: State policies on religion have effectively been implemented in Can Tho city. The city has generated favourable conditions for the building and repair of religious establishments. Religious ceremonies have been held according to the law. In addition, the city has also created favourable opportunities for dignitaries, monks and nuns to realise their rituals.

VOVNews: What is your comment on the spiritual life of religious people in general?
Mr Tam: In a period of national economic development, the lives of people in general and religious people in particular have improved and their confidence in national development has been consolidated. Religious people also believe in the Party guidelines and State policies. They are aware of their role as a citizen and strictly abide by the laws./.