The altars of a Vietnamese temple
This page introduces the altars commonly found in a Vietnamese temple. Every temple arranges them differently, so you will meet temples that lack one, add another, or place them elsewhere. What matters most: honour the Buddha first, then the other altars.
This is a general introduction. The 3D main hall of the Pagoda temple does not contain all of the altars below.
Common altars
The Three Jewels altar (Tam Bảo)
The main altar, at the centre of the main hall. The Three Jewels are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha: the awakened one, the teaching, and the community that practises. The statues are often arranged in tiers; the top tier commonly holds the Buddhas of the three times or the Buddhas of the temple's tradition. In front stands the offering table with censer, flowers, lamps and a tray of fruit.
Avalokiteshvara (Quan Thế Âm)
The Bodhisattva of compassion who listens. In many temples this altar sits beside the main hall, or a statue stands in the courtyard. Read the Guanyin story.
The guardians (Hộ Pháp)
Usually two figures at the door or at the sides of the main hall, standing for protection of the place of practice. Names and numbers vary by temple.
Tiền Phật and Đức Ông
The Tiền Phật altar lies at the front of the main hall or in an outer room. Đức Ông is commonly understood as a protector of the temple. Many visitors stop here after honouring the Buddha. Arrangement and understanding of these two altars differ between places.
Ksitigarbha (Địa Tạng)
The Bodhisattva associated with the vow to help all beings. The altar is often mentioned in connection with memorial services for the departed.
The ancestral altar (nhà tổ)
Honours the teachers who founded and carried on the temple. You come here to remember them with gratitude. In many temples it is a separate room behind.
The altar for wandering spirits (cô hồn)
A small altar at a corner of the courtyard or on a porch, to remember those with no one to honour them. Temples often set it up only on certain occasions. What is offered, if anything, depends on the temple.
The usual order of a visit
- Offer incense or put your palms together in the courtyard (if the temple has an outdoor burner).
- Enter the main hall and honour the Buddha first.
- Visit the side altars: Avalokiteshvara, Ksitigarbha, Đức Ông, the guardians, following the temple's layout.
- The ancestral hall, if it is open.
- The altar for wandering spirits and other places, if present.
You do not have to visit every altar. Honouring the Buddha and then sitting quietly for a while is a complete visit. For the individual gestures, read how to pay respects.