Interestingly, China’s Forbidden City’s architect was Vietnamese. This is reflected in the Imperial City of Hue’s citadel. Surrounded by a moat and wall, the newly constructed (1804-1833) Royal residence begs for photo ops. Another site that brings in Americans and others is the home of the monk Thich Quang Duc whose self-immolation in 1963 made world news. We rode in a dragon boat up the Perfume River to the pagoda. He was protesting the policies of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem. Oddly the monks have this 🚙 shown in the photo. I find the Vietnam war bits and pieces around the country disturbing and prone to propaganda.
MEDITATION DINNER
One of the most interesting activities we have done on this trip was to take part in a meditation dinner at a Buddhist nunnery. The nuns (who shave their heads) prepared our dinner. We sat down to a silent vegetarian meal and listened to the nuns’ evening chanting for 45 minutes. Some gongs and drumming but mainly rhythmic melodic chanting. After a nun dressed in light blue answered questions. Their ages range from 5-75, they rise at 3:45 am and chant four times a day and dwell on internal peace and understanding suffering. The nun who sat with her feet crossed under her was serene, young and beautiful. She had 3 shaved dots on the top of her head signifying advanced studies. No pictures allowed.