Thursday, April 10, 2008

Vaisnava's in VietNam


The Balamon Hindu Cham people of Vietnam consist of 70% Kshatriyas (pronounced in Vietnamese as "Satrias"). Although Balamon make up only 25% of the overall Cham population (the other 75% are Muslims or Cham Bani). These Balamon Kshatriyas claim to be the descendants of the Champa Empire.

Vietnam was the home to a vibrant Vedic civilization. Many spectacular temples and sculptures still remain to this day . Vedic Deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and minor Deities were widely worshiped. Buddhism also has a certain role in Cham people, but Shiva sect has always been considered as the national religion. According to the statistics of Palumus, in total of 128 statues found in Cham Pa , there were 92 of Shiva Deities of the Shiva sect, 3 of the Vishnu sect, 5 of the Brahma sect and 7 of Buddhism.