Buddhism in Nha Trang

Although Nha Trang is touristic, we had our most spiritual experience in exactly this place. On Wednesday we met a couple we met in Hoi An before. That day, they went with a guide to a Buddhist Monastery. Apparently it was a great experience, and the guide would take them back the next day (New Years day) in his own free time on a moto bike. They offered we could come along. So the next morning, we got our own bike and drove to their hotel. The guide had no problem with us coming along, so we set off for a 30 minute ride to a place we would never have found ourselves. A monastery in the mountains, with a beautiful waterfall next to it. Just before the entrance of the monastery, the graves of family members that had passed away were visited by numerous people. We passed by and parked our bike. After we walked the stairs, we went into a chamber were we shuffled a round box with wooden sticks. Each of these sticks had a number. After shuffling it for a while, one would come out. With this number we went to a monk who gave us a piece of paper (in Vietnamese). With this piece of paper we went to the next monk (yes, Buddhist monks know about red tape and paper shuffling too apparently!). Here, we waited in a room, and a nun (indeed, the monk was a nun) explained the paper and our future. My future was bright: I am a talented man who should fear no one and I would be rich soon. However, Anna would have to wait till after she turns 30.....

After hearing our future, we went for the ritual cleaning. We took a glass and put in in the cave (see picture) where it was filled with droplets falling from the ceiling. When the glass was full, we took it out and drank half of it. The other half we used to clean our face and arms. Now we had our future read to us and we were cleaned for a new year, ready to enjoy more of Vietnam!

Anna on the motorbike on our way back from the temple