Elegant churches make up some of the most outstanding pieces of architecture in Austin, but for Kiet Le, the religious structures are not like home.

Le is a Buddhist, and his family is one of the 20 to 30 Vietnamese families in Austin practicing the faith. Corner temples from his past are no longer an option for him. Places of worship here are hard to come by -- St. Paul has the closest temple.

"If I don't have time, it's difficult to go two hours there and two hours back, so we just go on the biggest holidays," he said.

However, the shrine in his home, like the shrine in many similar homes, is a comfortable place of worship.

The alter consists of a picture of Buddha with many colored lights revolving around his head. Incense and offerings of fruit are laid before the image, and photos of ancestors hold a place to the right, though lower than the diety's image.

Le and his family came to Austin in 1998. Living in a Christian society has not had a negative impact on him or his family, he said. His children follow the customs of his family's faith.

"Not teaching a lot, but they still follow the parents to the temple," he said. "The whole family goes together."

In fact, Le said it is easier to practice his beliefs in America than it was for him in his country of origin.

"Because this country has freedom for a reason, no one is against it," he said.

Cam-Tu-Le, a translator at The Welcome Center in Austin, said the communists in Vietnam made practicing Buddhism, or any religion, difficult.

"Freedom for religion, that's why we wanted to come here," she said. "Usually people don't say bad things about your religion. You have your religion, I have mine."

The Buddhist families in Austin do not typically worship together. Cam-Tu-Le said the faith is a very private experience.

"To Buddhist people, we have to do more things by the heart," she said. "We have to change things in ourselves."

Le said a good Buddhist practices honesty, stays free from drugs and alcohol and does charity work. A good life leads to a better life in the future. Buddhists, he said, believe people are born again after death.

"We always think about reincarnation," he said. "After death, we have to move on to a new life."

Translation for the interview with Kiet Le was provided by Cam-Tu-Le from The Welcome Center.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by email at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com