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    Center

    for the

    study of the

    Cao Đài Religion

    © 2015 by Center for Study in the Cao Đài Religion

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    The Coming of God

    What does 'Cao Đài' mean?

    Vision & Mission

    A Brief History

    Unifying Principles

    Religious Laws & Constitution

    Organization Structure

    Worship

    Rituals

    Prayers

    Liturgical Calendar

    The

    Great

    Faith

    of

    the

    Third

    Universal

    Amnesty

    Caodai, divine eye, God

    God

    and

    Humanity

    ​

    Love

    and

    Justice

    Religious Service

    Bibliography & References

    Caodai, Alms bowl, Spring and Autmn Annals, Duster, religion, buddhism, taoism, christianity, caodaism, spirit, happiness, divine, compassion, peace

    The Cao Đài Emblem

    From the left:

    • The Duster of Taoism

     

    • The Alms Bowl of Buddhism

    • The Spring & Autumn Annals of Confucianism

    Caodai, Confucius, religion, buddhism, taoism, christianity, caodaism, spirit, happiness, divine, compassion, peace

    His Holiness Confucius - The Founder of Confucianism

    Caodai, Laozi, Immortal, religion, buddhism, taoism, christianity, caodaism, spirit, happiness, divine, compassion, peace
    Caodai, Buddha, Gautama, religion, buddhism, taoism, christianity, caodaism, spirit, happiness, divine, compassion, peace

    His Holiness Gautama Buddha - The Founder of Buddhism

    His Holiness Laozi -

    The Founder of Taoism

    Unifying Principles

     

    The doctrine of the Cao Đài Religion tends not only to reconcile all religious views, but also to adapt itself to all degrees of spiritual evolution. A basic principle of Caodaism is "All Religions are One".

     

    • From a moral point of view, the Cao Đài Religion reminds people of their duties towards themselves, their family, their society (a broader family), then toward humanity (the universal family).

     

    • From a philosophical point of view, Cao Đài Religion preaches renunciation of honors, riches and luxury, in other words, deliverance from servitude to materialism in the attainment of full spiritual quietude of soul.

     

    • From the point of view of worship, Cao Đài Religion recommends the adoration of God, the veneration of Divine Beings and the worship of ancestors.

     

    • From a spiritual point of view, Cao Đài Religion confirms, in harmony with other religions, the existence of the spirit, their survival beyond the physical body, and their evolution by successive reincarnations, according to the Karmic Law.

     

    • From the initiates' point of view, Cao Đài Religion communicates to worthy adherents and reveals teachings that enable them, by a process of spiritual evolution, to reach lasting joy and happiness.

     

    A basic principle of Cao Đài Religion consists in synthesising the Doctrines of the three main Religions - Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism - into one. This is why in belonging to Cao Đài Religion, believers must observe the basic principles of these three Religions to cultivate and purify themselves by strictly pursuing the followings:

     

    • The three main duties and five essential virtues of Confucianism. The three main duties (Tam-Cang) are social relationships between king and subject (quân-thần cang), father and children (phụ-tử cang), husband and wife (phu-thê cang). And the five essential virtues (Ngũ Thường) are: Love/Humanity (Nhơn), Justice/ Righteouness (Nghĩa), Good behaviors/ Politeness (Lễ), Wisdom (Trí), and Loyalty (Tín).

     

    • The three refuges and the five prohibitions of Buddhism. The three refuges (Tam Qui) are: to take refuge in the Buddha (Qui Y Phật), to take refuge in His Law/ Dharma (Qui Y Pháp), and to take refuge in the Spiritual Community (Qui Y Tăng). The five prohibitions (Ngũ Giới) are: no killing (sát sanh), no stealing (du đạo), no obscenity (tà dâm), no intoxicants (tửu nhục), and no lying (vọng ngữ).

     

    • The striving to unify the three jewels and the five elements of Taoism. The three jewels (Tam Bửu) are: life matter/ jing (tinh), life energy/ qi (khí), and soul/ shen (thần). The five elements (Ngũ Hành) are: metal (kim), vegetable/wood (mộc), water (thủy), fire (hỏa), and earth (thổ).

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