The ceremonies

Grandpa was buried with Buddhist funeral rites. This ritual was very different, longer, and more complex than other funerals I had seen. It began on Friday, in which there was a nearly three hour Buddhist ceremony at the mortuary. All the family members wore long white headbands, which we were supposed to wear for 49 days, and Grandma wore a white robe and hood. Nine monks came in to chant and lead us in prayers. I was extremely confused (not helped by the fact that everything was in Vietnamese) but we started off kneeling on the left side of the room in front of an alter to Buddha. The lead monk chanted and the other monks played small instruments and bells and provided the backup vocals. At certain cues we would periodically bow on our knees. This was about 30min long, then as a mass we moved to the right side of the room and knelt in front of an altar to Grandpa and repeated the process. Eventually Uncle Buu (the oldest son) had to hold a tray with offerings on his head and the monk burned paper money. There were also many other little things that the monk did that I totally did not understand but was really intrigued by.

The next day (Saturday) was visiting hours. Family members and guests were invited to light incense and pray to the altar for Grandpa. If a guest approached the altar a family member was supposed to stand behind the altar and pray back to the guest on behalf of Grandpa. In contrast, if someone prayed to the altar of Buddha no one would have to pray back because I suppose Buddha is powerful enough. Most people stayed all day then went to Temple in the evening. The ceremony at the temple was the weekly Saturday night service open to the community, but since Grandpa passed away that week he was included in the prayers and so the family was invited to join in.

Sunday most people went back to Temple because that was seven days after Grandpa's death. This marked the beginning of the 49 day mourning period (seven weeks). There was also something significant about 100 days and 3 years, but I'm not sure what that is...

Monday was the funeral service--A few people came up to say a few words (mostly in Vietnamese, of course) and then, like Friday, we knelt and prayed in front of Grandpa's altar as the lead monk chanted. We then brought the casket with all the flowers graveside. After a brief reception we caravaned to Temple one last time, though this was actually my first time. The five sons knelt in front of a picture of Grandpa and everyone who would not be able to return in 49 days knelt behind them in one side of the room. As the monk chanted he cut off the headbands of those who would not be able to return and burned those outside. Every Sunday for the next 6 weeks the Temple would continue to pray for Grandpa via that photograph. One photograph was also brought to Grandma's house and Grandpa's spirit supposedly resides with the photo.

The daughters and sons (funny how it looks like they are lined up according to height--it is actually by age). I am not sure if it is a cultural thing, but everyone was taking numerous photos with Grandpa, which I felt a little strange about. There was even a photographer as well as a videographer.

An Bang Temple