Cao Dai

Cao Dai (Cao Đ?i) is a relatively new, syncretist, monotheistic religion, officially established in Tay Ninh, southern Vietnam, in 1926. ??o Cao ??i is the religion's shortened name, the full name is ??i ??o Tam K? Ph? ??.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The term Cao Dai literally means "high place." Figuratively, it means that highest place where God reigns. It is also the abbreviated name for God, the creator of the universe, whose full title is Cao ??i Ti?n ?ng ??i B? T?t Ma-ha-t?t.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Caodaiists credit God as the religion's founder. They believe the teachings come directly from ??c (means venerable) Cao ??i. Cao Dai's first disciples Ng? V?n Chi?u, Cao Qu?nh C?, Ph?m C?ng T?c, and Cao Ho?i Sang claimed they were contacted by God and given explicit instructions to establish the religion. They claimed to have received direct communications from God, ordering them to combine the major religions of the world, which he has created. These religions are Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Spiritualism.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Adherents engage in ethical practices such as prayer, veneration of ancestors, nonviolence, and vegetarianism with the goal of, minimally, obtaining a favorable rebirth, or, better yet, entering heaven, or, ultimately, escape from the cycle of birth and death. The Saints, or guiding spirits revered in Cao Dai are Buddha, Laozi, Confucius, Sun Yat Sen, Victor Hugo and Jesus. God is symbolized by the Divine Eye, specifically the left eye.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The faith has a hierarchical organization resembling that of the Roman Catholic Church, with a pope, cardinals, bishops, and priests. Ordained women may attain ranks up to cardinal.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Followers of Cao Dai believe that its teachings, symbolism and organization were communicated directly from God, and even the construction of the Tay Ninh Holy See had divine guidance.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cao Dai currently has an estimated seven to eight million adherents in Vietnam, and an additional 30,000 (primarily ethnic Vietnamese) in the United States, Europe, and Australia.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The teachings of Cao Dai are similar to the teachings of I-Kuan Tao. Cao Dai is generally considered to be slightly older and larger though.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Monotheistic: REDIRECT Monotheism...

Religion: Religion (see etymology below) —sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system—is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with such belief. In its broadest sense som...

Tay Ninh: Tay Ninh (in Vietnamese, T?y Ninh) is a town in southwestern Vietnam. It is the capital of Tay Ninh province, which encompasses the town and much of the surrounding farmland....

Cao Dai related Images and Photos (experimental)

Monks Praying Cao Dai Temple Tay Ninh Vietnam	L'Albero dai Frutti d'Oro	Lily's Corfu Necklace by Suzanna Dai	Serena's Antwerp Necklace By Suzanna Dai
Blair's St. Petersburg Necklace by Suzanna Dai