Overview

Dao Cao Dai (Caodaism in English) is the third largest religion in Viet Nam after Buddhism and Roman Catholicism. "Cao" means "high"; "Dai"means "palace". The word refers to the supreme palace where God reignsand also used as God's symbolic name. It originated in South Viet Namin the early twenties and was officially inaugurated in 1926.

Caodaismis a religion which combines elements from many of the world's mainreligions, including Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Hinduism,Islam, Judaism, Taoism, as well as Geniism. It is syncretistic in itsdoctrine, ritual practice, organizational structure, divinities andphilosophy.

History behind.

Thehistory of this religion underwent three important episodes ofrevelations. The first and second took place in 6th century before ourera. During the first manifestation, God appeared under the three formsof Jewish leader in the Middle East, Buddha in India and Fou-Hisymbolizing the cult of humanity in China.

Duringthe second manifestation, Buddhism reappeared in the form of Sakiamuni,Confucianism in that of Confucius, Christianity in that ofJesus-Christ, Taoism in that of Lao-Tseu and Islam in that of Mohamed.

Asfor the third manifestation, God has decided to reveal himself. Thisthird manifestation based on Buddhism is often called "Ðại Ðạo Tam KỳPhổ Ðộ" (Great Way for the Third Universal Amnesty).)

NgoVan Chieu, a civil servant of the Cochin china government began toreceive messages from a spirit called Duc Cao Dai whom he believed tobe God. After three years of studying and worshipping God, he sharedhis spiritual discoveries with others in Saigon. According to him, thealliance represented in Caodaism is God's third attempt to reveal histruth to humanity

Atthe end of the year At Suu (1926 CE), Cao Dai instructed a small groupof mediums to found a new religion. One of the mediums, Le Van Trungwas named by God to be acting Giao Tong (Pope).

With the unification of Viet Nam in 1975, the Caodaists' activities were restricted by the Communist government. Their Cuu Trung Dai (executive body) and Hiep Thien Dai(legislative body) were abolished and replaced with a Governing Councilunder the direct control of the government. Rituals and ceremoniescontinued without government interference.

Caodaist ethicsare based on the Buddhist ideal of becoming a good person with a veneerof traditional Vietnamese taboos. Basic parameters such as avoidingkilling, lying, opulent living, sensuality, stealing and eating meatthat facilitate the soul's progress through the cycles ofreincarnation.

TheCaodaist consider vegetarianism is one of humane service as it doesn'tinvolve harming other creatures during the process of their spiritualevolution. They follow several different vegetarian regimens; the leastrigorous one is to eat vegetarian meals six days a month. However,priests are required to be full-time vegetarians.

Intensifyingits distinct if somewhat contradictory nature, Caodaism simultaneouslyembraces monotheism and ancestor worship, proselytizing and praying foracceptance. And although they believe in only one God, Caodaists alsorecognize another principal deity--the Mother Goddess. A popular debateamong the Caodaists focuses on which deity was the primary source ofcreation. The acknowledgment of both genders pervades the religion. Thecelibate clergy consists of both men and women. In a hierarchicalstructure similar to the Roman Catholic Church, female priests occupyall but the highest levels. However, when male and female clergy of thesame rank work together, the men function as leaders.

Withbrightly robed priests and colorfully painted temples, Caodaistceremonies are visually spectacular. They occur four times each day: 6am, noon, 6 pm and midnight. Women enter the temple from the left, walkclockwise around the hall, and then congregate on the left side forworship. Conversely, men enter from the right and walkcounter-clockwise. Both genders give offerings that range from theconventional incense, fruit and flowers to more unusual gifts of teaand alcohol.

The "Vatican" of Caodaismresides in Tay Ninh- a province 58 miles northwest of Saigon at anornate cathedral called The Holy See. Built between 1933 and 1955, TheHoly See has been described as a rococo extravaganza and the Disneylandof religious centers. The main religious centers currently have 7 to 8million followers in Vietnam and about 30,000 members elsewhere,primarily in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States.

The architectural combinationof a church, pagoda and shopping center creates an idiosyncratic placeof worship. Looking at the garish central hall, you will see that ithas nine levels that represent the nine steps to heaven. The impressivecolonnade consists of bright pink columns encircled by thick enameleddragons with stylized scales. The dome is filled with a low hangingblue globe decorated with the "divine eye" gazing down at theworshipers. Merely entering the building is a powerful experience. Doyou know that this eye is the official symbol of the church,representative of the visions that created this religion?

Withits historical and ceremonial pageantry, Caodaism is a fascinatingaddition to Vietnamese religious sects. In its effort to create anideal religion by fusing secular and sacred philosophies of both Eastand West, Caodaism has succeeded in being unarguably unique.