Khai Doan Pagoda
 
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© John Holstein 2020
 
Khai Doan Pagoda is in the city center. It is a relatively new temple, completed in 1953. It was commissioned by the mother of Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam. Lotussia: "While the roofs are characteristic of the nha dai (long house), its pillars were carved in style similar to the royal court of Hue." That symbolizes peaceful coexistence of the majority Viet people and the local highland tribes. Check out the rest of the Lotussia article for more interesting information; it's the only website that I could find with information about this temple.
 
 
 
It was a surprise to see this wealthy multi-building temple with such spacious grounds and top-class art and ornamental trees in this small city of Buon Me Thuot. (By the way, that's my bike; I felt guilty riding it because it seemed so much older than me and it groaned with every push of the pedal. So did I.)
 
 
 
 
When I arrived I noticed this monk in a lotus position facing the lotus wall. He was in that position when I looked a few minutes later.
 
 
 
One of the temple's 18 exquisitely carved statues of Buddha's arhats. The best (and most interesting) explanation about arhats that I have found is here, at Learn Religions.

 
 
 
 
 
A few more arhats.
 
 
 
 
 
There are a total of 18 arhats represented at Khai Doan Pagoda. That's a common (though not the only) number for Mahayana Buddhist temples. Wikipedia: "Buddhism in Vietnam. . . as practised by the ethnic Vietnamese is mainly of the Mahayana tradition. Buddhism may have first come to Vietnam as early as the 3rd or 2nd century BCE from the Indian subcontinent or from China in the 1st or 2nd century CE. Vietnamese Buddhism has had a syncretic relationship with certain elements of Taoism, Chinese spirituality, and Vietnamese folk religion."
 
 
 
 
 
The main prayer hall with its amazing wood carving
 
 
 
 
 
I used to think this character was "the laughing Buddha," and he is, except that he is not a Buddha. As World Travel Connector site says, "The Laughing Buddha, or the Fat Buddha, was a Zen monk called Budai who lived in China around the 10th century, meaning about 1.600 years after historical Buddha. Budai was a bold man with a big tummy, big smile, large ears, wearing a simple robe, prayer beads, and a large sack." Be sure to read the rest of the wonderful story at this interesting and informative web site.
 
 
 
 
 
I haven't seen this art form outside of China.
 
 
 
 
 
I checked on my way out. Still there, still looking.
 
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