Written by Lowell Bloss
Directed by Gwynne Decker
Produced by Tom D'Agostino

In this segment, Professor Lowell Bloss tells the story of contemporary Vietnamese religion through the idea of the “multiplex”—a sacred space that encompasses aspects from the many religions that have influenced Vietnam over its long history. Many Vietnamese are similarly diverse and synchronistic in their beliefs, combining elements of Buddhism, animism, Hinduism, ancestor worship, and many other traditions into their daily practice.  The segment also examines Cao Dai, a formal synchronistic religion where Jesus, Buddha and Victor Hugo share the colorful walls of worship spaces, as well as religions that demand a more singular focus from their adherents, such as Catholicism, which was introduced by the French.