Cao Đài

Caodaism or Cao Dai ( Vietnamese: Cao Dai Đạo, Hán Nom:道 高 台, Chinese高 台 教, Pinyin Gāotáijiào, high altar ') is an officially founded on September 7, 1926 Religion in South Vietnam. Estimates of the number of followers differ sharply, with the majority indicating two to three million, other sources but eight million believers in Vietnam. After Buddhism and Catholicism it is the third largest religion in the country. Through emigration, there are about 30,000 Caodai in the U.S., Europe and Australia.

The disclosure of this religion, received by seances, includes a comprehensive syncretism of Asian and Christian deposit of faith.

Founder

As a founder of a religion is true Ngô Văn Chieu (* 1878 in Saigon, † 1932), who experienced the revelation of God's Cao Dai on 25 December 1925. As the leader of this new religious community, a member of the Colonial Council, Lê Văn Trung should ( Hán Nom:黎文忠; * 1876, † December 19, 1934 ), a known human liver and opium smoking, have been entrusted. This thereby changed his way of life to asceticism.

Syncretism

Throughout history, God is, indirectly as Cao Dai ( " high altar " ) referred to, have made ​​known to several revelations such as for Christianity:

  • The teaching of Moses is the bud, the doctrine of Christ is the blossom, the Caodaism is the fruit,

And for the Asian religions:

  • The raised Laozi (Lao Tu) had the merit to participate in the salvation of mankind,
  • The wise Confucius ( Khong Tu) has clearly paved the way of the right middle dimension,
  • The merciful Buddha ( PHAT ) has preached humility and charity,

And finally with the Caodaism to accomplish anything.

Teaching and worship

The Caodaism teaches the transmigration of souls and keeps the moral principles such as vegetarianism, prohibition of alcohol, selflessness, charity and poverty as a moral obligation. The worship is conducted in the richly decorated temples with incense, incantations and prayers. Among the " high spirits " of Caodaism are among others Sun Yat Sen, Isaac Newton, Joan of Arc and Victor Hugo, in order to show their importance for mankind.

Hierarchy

The hierarchy is structured along the lines of the Catholic Church by the following offices or degrees: DAO Hữu (creditor ), Chuc VIEC (sub dignitaries ), Lễ Sanh ( student priest ), Giao Hữu (priest), Giao Su ( bishop), Phoi Su ( Archbishop ), Dau Su ( Cardinal ), Chuong Phap ( censor Cardinal ) and Giao Tông ( Hán nom:敎 宗, " Pope ").

There are three Censor and easy cardinals, 36 archbishops and 72 bishops. Ngô Văn Chieu was the first and only Cao Dai pope, since 1935, the post is vacant. Due to restrictions imposed by the Vietnamese government, it is the Cao Dai - trailers are not allowed to use a new pope or conduct seances.

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