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More than half of the Vietnamese people are Buddhists. Buddhism teaches that self-denial, hard work, good deeds and moral living lead to Nirvana, a blissful state of being that is beyond pleasure or pain. Buddhists also believe in reincarnation, that is, that each person lives many lives. Pagodas are Buddhist temples where followers can pray to Buddha and other saints who have reached Nirvana. Vietnamese pagodas have been built in most large Canadian cities.
The Christian faith was introduced into Vietnam by French Catholic missionaries in the seventeenth century. Despite the threat of punishment from the ruling emperors, many Vietnamese people converted, and today, 10 per cent are Catholics. Many Vietnamese people arriving in Canada have come into contact with Christianity, including Catholicism, through sponsorship programmes organized by church groups. Vietnamese Catholic churches exist in large Canadian cities, and Vietnamese also attend Canadian Catholic churches.
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In addition to these religions, Confucian
ideology is a major influence on the outlook and lifestyle
of the Vietnamese people.
Based on the ideals of Confucius, a Chinese philosopher who
lived 2,500 years ago, Confucianism teaches the importance of
education and social order, emphasizing respect for parents,
government leaders and teachers. Confucianism influences social
and family relationships; the ideas of family hierarchy and
filial duty, for example, have their origins in the Confucian
code of ethics.
A spirit-medium cult is practised by some Vietnamese in Montreal. A spirit medium communicates with the spirits answering worshippers' questions on such matters as fortune, health, business, marriage, and travel. | ||
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Created: November 2, 1998. Last update: July 27, 2001 © Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation |