Chùa Bà Đen

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1. warvn says

   June 28, 2013 at 3:13 pm

   
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   From AJA

   Chùa Bà Đen is a Hindu temple devoted to the Hindu goddess Mariamman. It was built in the late 19th century. Since this temple is in the middle of the Bến Thành area it often receives many tourists as visitors. The small expatriate Indian community in the city also comes here as do ethnic Vietnamese and Chinese in the city who worship the goddess.

   As we were arriving a man offered us flowers to “wash ourselves and make us clean.” Later we learned that many vendors will try to force items on you as you enter this temple only to demand payment from you as you exit.

   Once inside we talked with one of the temple workers as well as a man who was a first time visitor and had come to pray for his sick mother. We also spoke to a lady who comes to the temple every Monday. People come to this temple to pray for success in life. They also purchase and make offerings of coconuts for the sake of ‘purity’.

   While on this visit, we were moved by the man praying for his mother in a place that offers no hope. We prayed for his mother and also for the lady that visits regularly that she would find peace in Jesus Christ.

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