RITUAL OF TU AN BUDDHISM IN THE SOUTHWEST REGION

Abstract

Tu An Buddhism, a new religion, was established in the Southwest region of Vietnam in 1947 on the basis of synthesizing Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and folk beliefs. The worship and the annual ritual of Tu An Buddhism are uniquely influenced by religions and folk beliefs in the Southern region. The article indicates three typical and prominent worshiping ceremonies such as the ritual of the Patriarch of Medicine, the ritual of Trại ruộng, and the ritual of Cấp tế. These are unique ceremonies in the ritual system held annually in the community of followers of Tu An Buddhism