One Building’s Construction

Though it was grey and dreary, it was first day in many when it wasn’t raining, so it was a good day to pour concrete.  The same methods were used as on October 29,  though I could not tell what the concrete was poured for.

Of special interest was a temporary altar set up on two tables inside the building.  I have no idea what the altar was for – possibly one of our Vietnamese readers can help.  It disappeared after the concrete work was finished.

Comments

[Hoang]

Not sure if I remember correctly, but there is a Buddha who is the patron saint of the land. They set up the altar to pray and ask for his blessing of the new house. I think it is very much Vietnamese/Chinese culture because there probably isn't such a saint if you ask a Buddhist from India.

[Sam Truong]

From what I remember growing it, it's called "Cu'ng -Da^'t". It's basically what Hoang said above, but I don't think it's Buddha though. It's basically asking for their ancestors (buddha? not sure) to bless the new land/house and bring them luck.

[Thomas E. Murray]

I just found Doug's blog and my wife and I enjoy it immensely. We live and work at the College of Charleston. Some days I wish I had an altar in my classroom blessing my work. God or Buddha sure knows I need some help every once in a while.

I'm using the blog to help my students get a more diverse outlook on teaching. Charleston is 50% Caucasian, 45% African American and 5% other so many of my students have no appreciation for anything that is not black or white.

[Paul Stanley]

My guess is that the concrete was for plastering the interior walls. They look finished in the picture. They should be doing the exterior soon, and it will be interesting whether in Vietnam they put windows/doors in before or after the exterior plastering.

[chtnplan]

I think the altars set up to pray for The Lord Earth (Ong Dia) to bless the new building with luck and prosperity.

[Triet]

I agree with chtnplan. It's for Ong Dia.

Love the pics, keep up the chronicle.

[layered]

My wife feels the altar is for the usual prayers at the beginning of the month, or someone died, or the construction is not going well (because of the rain?) so prayers are in order to turn the situation around. For me, i think it is like a topping out ceremony where in America the construction workers put a Christmas tree (at any time of year) on top of the last steel beam to be erected. I think Paul Stanley is right in a previous comment -- it is time for the finish work.
-- Mel