Wave Goodbye

Another image from the 550 year old Chuc Thanh pagoda in Vietnam (see Chuc Thanh Pagoda, Chuc Thanh II, and Chuc Thanh IV). After my initial encounter with the trainee nuns here (see Chuc Thanh III), I toured the entire pagoda with them trailing a discrete distance behind me and giggling. I turned back as I was leaving the grounds and got this shot - and lovely wave - before they closed the door of the main meditation hall. [NOTE: I waved back].

Incense

Small altar outside the Chuc Thanh pagoda (see Chuc Thanh Pagoda and Chuc Thanh III) in Central Vietnam. No incense smoke because it was drizzling rain. Does the merit from the offering continue if the incense goes out? I certainly hope so.  

Chuc Thanh IV

So many wonderful images from the 550-year-old Chuc Thanh pagoda in Vietnam (see Chuc Thanh Pagoda, Chuc Thanh II, and Chuc Thanh III). This one shows a young trainee nun sitting on top of a scooter engrossed in a comic book. She looked up when she heard me walk by and gave me a photogenic pose and a lovely smile.

Chuc Thanh III

These four charming young ladies were the first to greet me as I walked through Chuc Thanh pagoda (see Chuc Thanh  and Chuc Thanh II). Wonderful haircuts. Beautiful smiles. [NOTE: The girls are trainee nuns who have entered monastic life at a young age.  They live and are educated at Chuc Thanh].

Chuc Thanh II

Young monks at Chuc Thanh pagoda doing their homework as the rain pours down outside. Interesting tonsure. [NOTE: I shot this from the meditation hall, i.e. I was not standing out in the rain].