Buddhism

Buddhism originated in India, and was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, a prince of the Sakae tribe who lived in a region between Nepal and India from 563 to 483 BC It has two branches: Nihayana (Small Vehicle-or Tiểu Thừa, Nam Tông), introduced into Việt Nam during the 2nd century AD by merchants and priests from India, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia; and Mahayana (Great Vehicle - Bắc Tông) introduced into Việt Nam from China through the latter's invasions.

The statue of Buddha in Phú Yên

Since the 10th century, when Việt Nam was independent, Buddhism contributed to the building of the nation and developed rapidly. It reached its peak during the Lý and Trcin Dynasties. The Lý and Trần made efforts to harmonize Buddhism with Confucianism. Nevertheless, in the Lê Dynasty (15th century), on account of the need to build a centralized bureaucratic power, Buddhism had to give way to Confucianism. During the period of Trịnh and Nguyễn conflict, Buddhism restored its position. In the 19th century (under the Nguyễn Dynasty and French domination), Confucianism was more respected than Buddhism even though the latter had taken deep root in the life of the people.

In Việt Nam there are currently about 8 million followers of Buddhism, and nearly 20,000 Buddhist pagodas. Numerous others (either damaged by war or by harsh climate conditions) are being restored; some centers for training religious dignitaries are being restored and developed. In 1975, the number of Buddhist monks was only 15,000, while in 2002, there were 34,000, of whom hundreds are qualified as holders of doctoral or master's degrees in Buddhism, thousands of them earned a bachelor of art degree.

Catholicism

Originating in the Middle East, Catholicism was introduced into Việt Nam in the 15th century by Western missionaries with Alexandre de Rhodes as a representative. At first, it was spread among inhabitants of the coastal areas in Thái Bình, Nam Định, Ninh Bình, Thanh Hoá, and Nghệ An. Then, it spread into the Red River Delta and urban cities.

Today, there are about six million Catholics living in many regions throughout the country. There are about 6,000 churches throughout the territory, of which 500 were destroyed by American air raids during the war (1964-1972) and now are being repaired. So far, theological training centers have trained 2,400 priests.

Phát Diệm Stone Cathedral

It should be added that, during the 80 years of French domination, the Vatican appointed only four Vietnamese bishops in total. Over 30 years of wartime (1945-1975), only 33 bishops were appointed to North and South Việt Nam. The number of Vietnamese bishops appointed from 1975 onwards has reached 42.

The Vatican has an agreement with the Vietnamese Government to not criticize or vilify each other and not support a third party against the other. When the Vatican wishes to appoint bishops or higher. titles, it shall consult the Vietnamese Government.

Protestantism

Protestantism shares some tenets with Catholicism; it claims that Jesus Christ (the founder of Catholicism) is the Savior, and it worships God. Protestantism was introduced into Việt Nam in 1911. At first, it was only accepted in French-controlled concession areas, while in other areas it was prohibited. It was not until 1920, that it was permitted all over Việt Nam. The number of Protestants at present is round about 700,000.

Islam

Mubarac mosque, An Giang

This religion originated in the Middle East (present-day Saudi Arabia), founded by the prophet Muhammad (570-632). It is thought that Islam was introduced into the Chăm community during the 10th and 11th centuries. Today, Muslims number about 150,000, mostly in Bình Thuận, Ninh Thuận, An Giang, Tây Ninh, Đồng Nai and Hồ Chi Minh City. There are two sects of Islam followers among the Chăm: the Chăm in Châu Đốc, Hồ Chi Minh City, Tây Ninh, and Đồng Nai are orthodox Muslims, meanwhile the Chăm in Ninh Thuận, Ninh Thuận are unorthodox Muslims, and are known as Chăm Bà Ni.

Cao Đài

The Holy See of Cao Đài religion in Tây Ninh

Cao Đài is a syncretic Vietnamese religion founded in 1926 by Ngô Văn Chiêu, a civil official from Phú Quốc. He frequently used a turning table to contact with the spiritual world. During a séance (in 1926), Chiêu revealed that he met a man called Cao Đài, who descended and permitted Chiêu to worship him in the form of an eye. Since then, Chiêu believed in the mysterious Đức Cao Đài (literally meaning "Highest Tower"). Cao Đài, also called Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ, worships three Supreme Beings: Buddha, Jesus and Đức Cao Đài. On 7 October 1926, Cao Đài was officially founded with its headquarters in Tây Ninh. There are currently about 2 million followers of Cao Đài in Việt Nam.

Hoà Hảo

Hoà Hảo (also Hòa Hảo Buddhism): This is a Vietnamese Buddhist-tinted religion founded in 1939 by Huỳnh Phú Sổ (1920-1947) from Hòa Hảo Village, Tân Châu District (now An Giang), Châu Đốc Province, in 1939.

Hòa Hảo appeals to people to live in harmony. It has attracted many followers in the western part of the South. Currently there are over .1.5 million people practicing Hòa Hảo. It values the dogma “The Buddha is in one's heart," and advocates simple ritual of worship (votive offerings to the Buddha consist of only cold water and flowers) and the abolition of superstitions.

Since the Democratic Republic of Việt Nam came into being (1945), the Government has always highly valued the people's freedom of religion and non-religion. On 3 September 1945, at the first meeting of the Provisional Government at the Bắc Bộ Palace, President Hồ Chi Minh advocated "freedom of religion" and "that non-religious people and religious followers should unite!" This policy is clearly presented in Article 70 of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam: "The citizen shall enjoy freedom of belief and of religion, he can follow any religion or follow none. All religions are equal before the law.

"The places of worship of all faiths and religions are protected by law.

"No one can violate freedom of belief and of religion; no one can misuse belief or religions to contravene the law and State policies."

The resolution of the 9th Congress of the Việt Nam Communist Party (in 2001) also stresses that "beliefs and religions are spiritual needs of a part of the people, religious people should be incorporated in the great block of national unity; religious believers and dignitaries are responsible for fulfilling their citizenship duties towards the Homeland and leading a good worldly and religious life, bring into play the cultural and moral values of religions."

It should be added that Việt Nam's policies on freedom of belief and non-belief are not merely hot air. For example, a publishing house on religion has been established by the State. Over the past several years, it has produced over 400 books about religion (including the Bible, Koran and Buddhist sutras). At present there are ten religious universities throughout the country, including three Buddhist institutes (in Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City and Huế), six grand Catholic seminaries (in Hà Nội, Thanh Hóa, Huế, Nha Trang, Hồ Chí Minh City and Cần Thơ), and. one institute of theology under the Việt Nam Federation of the Protestantism Associations in Hồ Chí Minh City. In addition, there are 40 schools to train religious dignitaries at all levels.

It must be stressed that the religions in Việt Nam live side by side, in peace and in harmony. Even though, at times, they might be in conflict, there has never been any critical clash or war under the flag of any religion in Việt Nam.