The Three Doors into the Temple of Chua Bai Dinh

We enter the temple beneath the big wooden swastika

Stepping carefully over the huge threshold.

(To step on it is bad luck).

'You will notice', our guide informs

'That there are three doors into this temple.

But only one is ever opened.

They represent Heaven, Earth and Hell.'

An American man laughs nervously

And wants to know which world we have just stepped into.

Our guide looks unsure

But then brightens and tells us this is Earth door.

He points ahead to a big bronze statue

Of a rather fierce looking gentleman

With long beard and long spear

Glaring down at us.

'That is Zhong Kui, the God of Death

You will meet him after you die

And he will decide where you will go,'

Our guide says.

'Heaven or Hell,

Depends on what you have done in your life.'

I have included a photo below

Of the throng passing before Zhong Kui

Though I don't know what his judgement was

Their faces are of not those 

On their way to Paradise.