1 Typically Mahayana sects incorporate Therevadin and, of course, Mahayana Buddhist doctrines and ideology many of which are borrowed form China. Yet, in the Mekong delta the Terevadin school of thought is also important which is seen within the Khmer Pagodas and within the newly developed Therevadin Vietnamese pagodas (around fifty years old). In addition to these two sects is a third, the Vietnamese Mendicant sect (Khat si). The Khat si which developed in 1944 in Vinh Long province, honors both the Therevadin and Mahayana doctrines. But unlike the Mahayana sects, they seek alms and advocate living a lifestyle that is closer to the historical Buddha.

2 For example, in the province of Tra Vinh there are currently over 300,000 ethnic Khmer.

3 The Department of Religion for Cân Thô province has, for example, informed me that the five most "popular religions" in its province are: Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Cao dài, and the Hóa hao.

4 This pagoda follows a Mahayana sect called Tu Tai gia, which means at home Buddhism. The people here are essentially devout Buddhist followers and do not shave their head. There main purpose is to help the sick and needy with traditional Vietnamese medicine combined with Buddhist teachings.

5 There are a few Mahayana Buddhist pagodas for nuns and women studying to become nuns, one of which I was able to visit. Called Buu Ân pagoda, it was used as a handicraft shop by the government from 1975 until it was returned to the Buddhist Association six years ago.

6 Amitabha is a Buddha associated with the Pure Land school of Buddhism. It is believed that by chanting the name of Amitabha one can ensure entrance into the Western Paradise. The chant is: "Nam mô A Di Dà Phât (I call on the name of Amitabha)."

7 There are other titles such as Sa di, those who observe 10 precepts and are on their way to becoming a monk or nun, as well as Hóa thuong (most venerable). To be a Hóa thuong one must have studied for over 40 years, have a university education, and be at least sixty years of age.

8 Typically, gray is worn when in the pagoda, dark brown when traveling outside the pagoda, and bright yellow during Buddhist ceremonies.

9 Males are called Uu bà tac and females are called Uu bà di.

10 This is not to say that followers practice only in their homes. In some cases "home" is, in fact, within a persons living quarters, in other cases it is located within a pagoda.

11 This is done in order to pay homage to the numerous statues: the past, present, and future Buddhas, Quan Am and other Bodhisattvas, the Jade Emperor, Confucius, and Lao Tzu to name just a few.

12 This was done by putting sacred words in a box and then burning it sending the messages on their way.