Cao Dai

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

Related Topics:
Monotheistic - Religion - Tay Ninh - 1926

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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 ?ài Tiên Ông ??i B? Tát Ma-ha-tát.

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Caodaiists credit God as the religion's founder. They believe the teachings come directly from ??c (means venerable) Cao ?ài. Cao Dai's first disciples Ngô V?n Chiêu, Cao Qu?nh C?, Ph?m Công T?c, and Cao Hoài 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.

Related Topics:
Ngô V?n Chiêu - God - Combine the major religions of the world - Buddhism - Taoism - Confucianism - Christianity - Islam - Hinduism - Spiritualism

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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.

Related Topics:
Prayer - Veneration of ancestors - Nonviolence - Vegetarianism - The cycle of birth and death - Saint - Buddha - Laozi - Confucius - Sun Yat Sen - Victor Hugo - Jesus - Divine Eye

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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.

Related Topics:
Hierarchical - Roman Catholic Church - Pope - Cardinals - Bishops - Priests

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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.

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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.

Related Topics:
United States - Europe - Australia

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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.

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