Immigrant Buddhism in Germany: Vietnamese Buddhism

The Vietnamese Pagoda in Hanover, Germany. The three–wing–entrance portal leads to the spacious prayer hall and the seven layered tower. The pagoda is a monastery staffed by the founder and abbot Thich Nhu Dien and several monks and nuns. The complex was inaugurated in 1991.

The seven layered tower of the Pagoda in Hanover, Germany. The tower houses the mythical precursors of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. Also, in endless shelves we find some 10,000 small Buddha images, each image donated by a family. Traditionally, in East Asia a pagoda tower is meant to store the ash of a deceased family member. This habit is not allowed according to German laws, however. Photo at the Vesakh festival, May 1999.

The huge prayer hall with its yard in front. To the very right, parts of the pagoda tower are visible. In front the Lotus fountain, centered with a figure of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, in Vietnamese Quan An. Quan An is depicted in its female form as Kuan–yin, symbol of support in need and misery. As observable, during main yearly festivals as Vesakh the Vietnamese monastery is visited by numerous people. Photo at the Vesakh festival, May 1999.

In front of the prayer hall stands the 10 feet tall figure of Buddha Amitabha. His right hand points downwards open hand, symbolizing the granting of all wishes. His left hand is a common sign for the Buddhist wheel (i.e. the teachings) which should be followed. The two postures of his hands express compassion and wisdom. Photo at the Vesakh festival, May 1999.

Inside the prayer hall, facing the central altar. At the top, seated in meditation posture is Buddha Shakyamuni. Right in front of the richly decorated altar are members of the clergy, safran yellow robed monks. The hall is populated by several hundred believers. Photo at the Vesakh festival, May 1998.

The main shrine with opulent gifts and various Buddha figures. At the top, seated in meditation posture is Buddha Shakyamuni. A similar figure, seated on a lotus flower is in front of him. Three small boys seated in front exercise the right way to venerate the Buddha. Photo at the Vesakh festival, May 1999.

Details of the altar with endless gifts of fruits and flowers. At the top Buddha Shakyamuni is seated. In front of him amidst flowers stands a figure of Siddhartha (to become Buddha later). His finger points upwards to the moon, symbol of enlightenment and admonition to strive for enlightenment. To the right, seated on a green lion, is Bodhisattva Manjushri, with book and lute symbol for wisdom and grace. Photo at the Vesakh festival, May 1999.

The prayer hall has also various other altars. In front of one of the altars for Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Kuan–yin) people practise the "Vietnamese oracle" (Vietn. "xin xam"). Small sticks in a container are shaken until one of the sticks falls out. The stick has a number. According to the number a respective card is chosen. The little card has a saying or verse which may help to interpret past or future events. During festivals the practice of shaking the sticks is heard non–stop. Photo at the Vesakh festival, May 1999.

Part of the monastery is a room to remember the ancestors and deceased. The wall of the room has little pictures of the deceased family member. Relatives in front of the picture remember the deceased. Flowers and fruits are offered, symbols of transitoriness. Photo at the Vesakh festival, May 1999.

Ceremony for the deceased in the ancestors' room. The ceremony is ministered by the abbot of Vien Giac monastery, Ven. Thich Nhu Dien. Family members remember their deceased relatives, a picture of the person being placed at the room's wall. Especially during Ullambana in autumn, the room is highly frequented. Photo at the Ullambana festival, August 1998.

A further facet of religious life in the monastery: A class of Vietnamese and German people who have just taking the threefold refuge, show their certificate with their new Buddhist name. Each of the boys and girls, men and women has publicly declared to take one's refuge in the Buddha, the dharma (Buddhist teachings) and the sangha (Buddhist community of ordained and lay). On this occasion, each one receives a Buddhist name, written on the certificate. The ceremony took place in the prayer hall, the class now assembling in front of the main altar Photo at the Vesakh festival, May 1999.

The monastery complex is entered and left through the traditionally styled three–wings–entrance portal. Looking at the backside of the entrance portal we see numerous people who eat, talk and socialize. Religious festivals are both a religious and — importantly — a social event. Photo at the Vesakh festival, May 1999.

Though the pagoda with monastery and tower in Hanover undoubtedly is the central place of Vietnamese religious life in Germany, also smaller places of worship and veneration are of much importance. Here we find an ordinary middle class house in Barntrup, northern Germany. The house has been rebuilt to a Vietnamese temple or place of worship (Vietn. "niem phat duong"). The garden is styled with religious objects and buildings, also for example a bridge (symbolizing the "crossing over"). Photo at he Ullambana festival, August 1999.

Inside the garden of the small, local Vietnamese place of worship. The garden has a building for Quan An, depicted in its female form as Kuan-yin. In front a replica of Siddhartha as a young boy; then on the left side is a replica of a seven layered pagoda tower. The garden is used for meditation classes and the celebration of religious ceremonies, provided weather permits it. Photo at the Ullambana festival, Barntrup, August 1999.

The shrine room with the richly decorated main altar, placed on first floor of the house. The altar has the statues of Buddha Amitabha in front, followed middle by the statue of Siddhartha with his right hand finger pointing moon-wise and at the back the largest statue of Buddha Shakyamuni seated in meditation. Typically, the altar is decorated by numerous flowers, metaphor for transitoriness and various paraphernalia. Photo at the Ullambana festival, Barntrup, August 1999.

The altar in the shrine room in full size. At the front there is a Vietnamese mother and her daughter performing devotional practices. Monk Thich Tu Tri is thankful of the donation just received by them. Photo at the Ullambana festival, Barntrup, August 1999.

The shrine room also houses the altar for the ancestors and deceased. As in the main monastery in Hanover, we find small pictures of deceased family members placed to the wall above the altar. The altar cupboard has the typical items such as fruits and flowers, incense sticks and candles as well as urns (only short time kept). Photo at the Ullambana festival, Barntrup, August 1999.

Part of the Ullambana festival at a local temple or place of worship is to donate a meal to the sangha. The monks and nuns are especially served with various kinds of dishes. On the front right side sits Ven. Thich Nhu Dien, abbot of the monastery in Hanover. To the left, we see two statues of Buddha Shakyamuni decorated with lotus flowers. To the back a map of South East Asia, remembrance of previous flight and origin. In front of the map stands Quan An or Kuan-yin, Bodhisattva of compassion. Photo at the Ullambana festival, Barntrup, August 1999.