CAO DAI
Concepts include a single god (Cao Dai means "high place," where the god reins). The religion is said to, "create a more tolerant world where all can see each other as sisters and brothers from a common divine source." This religion believes that God was born after a "big bang," and then created the universe using the concept of yin and yang. In addition to God, there is the goddess he created that is known as Mother Buddha.
FAQ on Cao Dai (10)
1.What is the Cao Dai religion?
The Cao Dai religion (Caodaiism) is a monotheistic, syncretic religion founded in southern Vietnam in 1926. Its official name translates to the 'Great Religion of the Third Period of Universal Salvation.' Cao Dai blends the teachings, philosophies, and ethical frameworks of major Eastern and Western faiths into a single, unified belief system aimed at achieving global harmony and spiritual liberation.
2.Who is the founder of Cao Dai?
The Cao Dai religion was founded by Ngo Van Chieu, a Vietnamese government official serving under French colonial rule. In 1919, Chieu claimed to receive direct spirit communications from the supreme deity, who identified as Duc Cao Dai (the 'Highest Lord'). Following a series of subsequent revelations given to a broader group of mediums, the religion was formally established and recognized by the colonial administration in 1926.
3.What do Cao Dai followers believe?
Cao Dai followers believe that all religions originate from the same divine truth and have been revealed by God at different times throughout human history. The core theology centers on a single Supreme Being (Cao Dai) who created the universe. Practitioners believe in reincarnation, karma, and the ultimate liberation of the soul, emphasizing virtues like vegetarianism, non-violence, ancestor worship, and self-cultivation to break the cycle of rebirth.
4.What is the main symbol of the Cao Dai religion?
The primary symbol of Cao Dai is the Divine Eye (known as the Thien Nhan), which represents God's all-seeing, omnipresent eye watching over the universe. It is traditionally depicted as a left eye surrounded by a triangle and rays of light, symbolizing yang energy, wisdom, and cosmic balance. This sacred emblem is prominently displayed above the main altars inside all Cao Dai temples.
5.What religions are combined in Cao Dai?
Cao Dai is fundamentally a syncretic faith that harmonizes three core Eastern traditions with prominent Western religions. It explicitly integrates the ethics of Confucianism, the occult practices and philosophies of Taoism, and the karma and rebirth doctrines of Buddhism (collectively known as the Tam Giao, or Three Religions). Furthermore, it incorporates elements of Christianity, Islam, and spiritualist mediumship.
6.Who are the holy saints of Cao Dai?
Cao Dai features a unique pantheon of historical, literary, and spiritual figures honored as divine saints or guides. The three most celebrated 'Holy Saints' representing the fusion of Eastern and Western thought are:
* Sun Yat-sen: The Chinese revolutionary leader.
* Victor Hugo: The famous French poet and novelist.
* Nguyen Binh Khiem: A revered 16th-century Vietnamese poet and prophet.
Other recognized figures include Jesus Christ, Gautama Buddha, Laozi, Confucius, and Joan of Arc.
7.Where is the Cao Dai Holy See located?
The Cao Dai Holy See (Toa Thanh Tay Ninh) is the global headquarters and spiritual heart of the religion, located in Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam, approximately 90 kilometers northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Built between 1933 and 1955, this massive cathedral is famous for its vibrant architectural style, blending the structural layout of a Christian cathedral with the features of a Buddhist temple and Muslim minarets.
8.What happens during a Cao Dai ritual or service?
Cao Dai rituals are highly choreographed, aesthetic ceremonies held four times daily (at midnight, 6 AM, noon, and 6 PM). During services, practitioners wear flowing white robes (representing purity), while high-ranking priests wear yellow (Buddhism), blue (Taoism), or red (Confucianism) robes. Rituals involve chanting scriptures, playing traditional Vietnamese music, burning incense, and offering tea, alcohol, and flowers to the Divine Eye.
9.Is Cao Dai still practiced today?
Yes, Cao Dai is an active, vibrant religion with an estimated 3.2 to 4.4 million practitioners globally. It stands as the third-largest organized religion in Vietnam, practiced primarily in the southern Mekong Delta region. Due to the Vietnamese diaspora, active Cao Dai temple communities can also be found in the United States (particularly California and Texas), Australia, France, and Canada.
10.What is the Cao Dai hierarchy and structure?
The institutional structure of Cao Dai is closely modeled after the hierarchical organization of the Roman Catholic Church. The administrative governance features a supreme leader known as the Giao Tong (equivalent to a Pope), followed by a legislative body of Cardinals, Archbishops, and Priests who manage the spiritual laws and temple networks. The administrative duties are uniquely divided across distinct branches tasked with judicial oversight, executive functions and mediumship.
