buddhist temple largest city vietnam founded spiritual birthplace tradition vietnamese buddhism attempts recreate original tradition buddhist walking begging temple located street known weekly ritual retreat staged frequently institutions city reputation followers discipline attendees temple typically years age overwhelmingly female temple set plot square metres construction took years initially complex comprised halls compounds buildings temple headquarters vietnamese association octagonal story tower named gem tower built tower lit night visible surrounding area floors form library relics inner walls halls temple adorned relief carvings paintings depicting important events life courtyard stands statue history founding patriarch tradition born peasant family village founded tradition correct buddhism vietnam came motto tradition disappeared followers continued expand went open buildings development temple set plot square metres construction building began april took years plot land donated buddhist named initially complex comprised main ceremonial hall patriarch hall compounds set solitary religious practice temple headquarters november abbot organised expansion involved erection compound included main ceremonial hall compound built octagonal shape planned architect tower compound metres tall octagonal sides length metres temple miniature levels represent realms existence tower constructed wood depicted exterior walls paintings depict events life including birth enlightenment talk deer park entering parts wall display quotes written vietnamese entire artwork tower work group artists artwork created main lecture hall ground floor wooden benches house people large statue patriarch stands hall wall paintings table platform speaking monk sit giving talk main ceremonial hall second level statue hall carved wood metres tall enclosed glass case level statue depicting birth prince depicts traditional account prince taking seven steps resulted seven spontaneously followed pointing sky index finger declaring life internal wall temple murals life metres high carved wall chambers second floor hall patriarch founder vietnamese monastery typically commemorated case left remains begging bowl present protected glass enclosure bowl smaller usual dark orange colour objects glass enclosure statues main hall lie central symmetry axis building angle pointing statue patriarch chamber centre statue instead depicted typical staff rings representing realms existence shown wish granting gem photos deceased monks extreme left right photographs names deceased lay ashes stored altar courtyard temple statue stands metres lotus seat metres high unusually high statue outdoor courtyard temples southern vietnam temple headquarters organization octagonal story tower named gem tower built tree metres high symbolic lit night visible surrounding area floors form library relics levels ashes monks left gate run lay disciples temple unlike buddhist institutions publications generally free outlet offers journals published government run buddhist media material written vietnamese monks translations canonical texts works internationally renowned buddhist scholars recordings talks vietnamese monks sells images statues medical clinic named dynasty monk medicine famed attending impoverished compiling known book vietnamese medicine case medical named honour services complimentary outlet sect active medical facility triple gate accessible pedestrians vehicles wheeled vehicles pedestrians use left right wings respectively cars buses trucks use central wing gates represent middle view decorated sculptures prominent symbols buddhism left hand grounds tree symbol enlightenment tree located concrete lotus wheel shaped signs represent noble path signs text explain paths aside tower complexes reception office administrative block monastic quarters meditation halls kitchen complex lay supporters prepare meals monks visitors monastic quarters meditation hall open provide accommodation hundreds monks large capacity utilised retreat commemorates events life rainy season came fourth seventh lunar months result monks time stayed place practice travel place place buddhist temples rapid urban city disturbed existed constructed area surrounding noisy neighborhood prominent sources disturbances karaoke bar located alley leading temple neighbourhood use monastery grounds sign erected indicating ladies gentlemen follow route circle tower clockwise direction path usually taken act devotion response growing noise sign placed gate remind visitors non says pushed yard engines turned policy locking halls use enacted prevent homeless people camping stray dogs adopted home rituals fed vegetarian food begging allowed inside monastery grounds allowed outside camp handicapped people regular presence social outreach monastery runs fundraising program operations city receives wide support public suspicion charities affiliated ruling communist_party government communists strong reputation rampant corruption following fall communist takeover religious bodies required registered loyal party complied schools state sanctioned vietnamese buddhist congregation temple fly national flag government material symbols display letters charity initiatives demographics activities lay attendees predominantly female ratio temple younger lay disciples relatives regular older attendees addition local residents bulk disciples parts vietnam overseas vietnamese temporarily country according american professor vietnamese history religion survey income fear embarrassing average income able devote considerable time organized religious activity instead working longer hours regular occurrence temple weekly ritual participants additional vows apart stay temple hour period vows prohibit makeup jewellery use comfortable beds chairs eating retreat day meals taken silence talking avoided apart talks chanting religious debate meditation routine holds ritual institution city frequent temple holds retreat weeks talks held weekly resident monks generally frequent places city disciples monks temple told chose regarded higher level discipline scholarship institution monks transported disciples forbidden drive founder supporter freeing birds act compassion continued monks lay people believed spoken grounds demand birds ceremonies merely prompt people capture place according scholar temple incorporated aspects traditions style practice architecture felt modest wooden statue reminiscent architecture statues distinctly figures absent teachings monk interviewed said temple interpretation buddhism aspects like tree needs roots trunk branches leaves survive missing added teaching practice symbol independent origin determined
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