CAODAI

PRACTICAL ANSWERS FOR SEEKERS

HUM DAC BUI, M.D. & HONG DANG BUI, M.D.

JUNE 2024

TO

All on the Spiritual Path

AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To Jeannie Cam Han Bui Lee

Christine Lee

For Cover Design

Editing & Technical Assistance

To Hum Dac Bui, M.D.

David Tung Che, DDS

For designing the picture of Worship Houses

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD

CHAPTER 1 – ON EVIL

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM HWPL

(HEAVENLY CULTURE FOR WORLD PEACE AND RESTORATION OF LIGHT)

March 2018

CHAPTER 2 – VYACHESLAV DEMIDOVICH

RUSSIA

6/9/2019

CHAPTER 3 – CAODAI, A FAITH OF UNITY

INTERVIEW FOR EL CAMINO DE LA UNIDAD

By J.M.S.

CHILE

ANSWERS by Hum Dac Bui, M.D.

11/29/2019

CHAPTER 4 – BRIEF ESSENTIAL NOTIONS ON CAODAI

QUESTIONS FROM SS

BERLIN, GERMANY

1/7/2020

CHAPTER 5 – HIGH SCHOOL CAODAI PROJECT

By P.A.

ANSWERS from Hong Dang Bui, M.D.

12/9/20

CHAPTER 6 – INTERVIEW FROM A.B.,

UNIVERSITY OF LAVERNE, CA, USA

1/11/2021

CHAPTER 7 – QUESTIONS FROM MARIANO FIORENTINO

ARGENTINA, 5/23/2022

CHAPTER 8– PROJECT ON SHRINE

K.B., 11/2/22

S.B., 11/13/23

O.W., 11/23/23

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

CHAPTER 9– QUESTIONS FROM JORDAN BENNETT

FROM CULL HOLLOW

MAY 2024

CHAPTER 10 – A DISSERTATION ON THE PARALLELISM OF

CAODAI TEACHINGS AND SCIENCE

BY HONG DANG BUI, M.D., 5/24/2024

CHAPTER 11 – QUESTIONS FROM DV

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS WORLDVIEWS

JUNE 2024

CHAPTER 12 – QUESTION FROM ANETA MANSANOVA

THE CZECH REPUBLIC

6/29/2024

CHAPTER 13 – SPIRITISM

QUESTION FROM RICHARD CEZAR

UNIVERSITY OF WALES

8/25/2024

CHAPTER 14 – DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM

CHAPTER 15 – VEGETARIAN AND PLANT-BASED DIETS

INQUIRED BY MANY

CHAPTER 16 – REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERING ESOTERIC PATH

By Brother Tran Xuan Huy

FOREWORD

Dear Seeker,

It is an honor and a pleasure for me to bring to you this compilation of questions from and answers to insightful friends of CaoDai.

These questions express the genuine curiosity and reflect a variety of inquiries that my late husband, Dr. Hum Dac Bui and myself have had the grace to receive. They help to elucidate the reason for yet another faith: CaoDai. They bring the messages carried by the faith: healing, unity, inclusion, hope for salvation.

CaoDai appeared in VietNam in the 1920’s, when Mr. Ngo Van Chieu, a mystic, then 12 gentlemen, including Mr. Pham Cong Tac received directly or with the help of selected mediums, the message to found CaoDai, bringing the unification of All faiths and harmony to Humanity.

The Spiritism at the basis of this faith employed serious Seances in which respectful, sincere, faithful adepts intercept messages from the Superior Spiritual Realm. These persons adhere to a strict plant-based diet. Messages were deemed authentic when they came with sophisticated verses, brought harmony to Man, deep teachings of love, compassion, perseverance in cultivation, sincerity of faith and trust in the Divine Spirit.

Chapters on Spiritism and on how to join the Esoteric branch of cultivation are offered.

To preserve authenticity, questions and answers are reproduced in their original forms, in chronological order. Therefore, repetitions in the answers may occur. Hum and I appreciate the opportunity to learn during the process of providing elucidating responses to these friends in search for Truth.

It is my hope that “CaoDai: Practical Answers for Seekers” will live up to its goal of providing useful, joyful assistance to the eternal seeker. Thank you!

Hong Dang Bui, M.D. (San Diego, CA, USA- 8/23/2024)

CHAPTER 1; ON EVIL

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM HWPL

(HEAVENLY CULTURE FOR WORLD PEACE AND RESTORATION OF LIGHT)

March 2018

From: Hum Bui
Date: March 20, 2018 at 8:01:41 PM PDT
To: Allison Williamson
Subject: Script from Hum

What is the method to eliminate evil found in the scripture?

1-    Does the evil that you speak of have influence on the world? If yes how would the world that is affected by evil look/be like?

2-    What makes people commit such evil deeds?

 

This timely discussion on evil by looking into its origin, its influence on the world we live in, on why people commit evil deeds will lead us to ways of eliminating it.

Where there is the truth, there is the falsehood. One cannot be without the other. There is good and there is also evil.

CaoDai scriptures taught that everyone of us has the Supreme Being God as well as the bad side in our heart. 

I like to tell you a story.

One day, a Japanese warrior came to visit a Zen master: “I want to know about heaven and hell, do they really exist?”

The Zen master asked: “who are you?” The warrior announced proudly: “I am a samurai.”

The Zen master exclaimed: “Ha! What makes you think you can understand such insightful thing? Go away, do not waste my time with your foolish question. You are just a rascal on the street.”

The warrior’s face turned white, then became red. He drew his sword, ready to kill.

The Zen master then calmly said: “This is hell!”

The warrior was taken back. His face softened. Humbled by the wisdom of the Zen master, he put away his sword and bowed before the Zen master.

The Zen master stated: “And this is heaven.”

 Being good or being evil depends on ourselves.

This good or evil develops according to our education acquired externally and internally, externally from family, society and internally from self improvement, self purification. 

The scriptures read: “Many people on this earth worship demon. Demon is always allied with death and will therefore be destroyed and never know the eternal life. If I don’t save you in time, you will perish.” 

CSCDHM 2015 CreateSpace, p58

How does demon influence on humans? 

Demon uses alcohol, sex, money, drugs to seduce human beings. They stimulate humans’ bad emotions anger, jealousy, greed, desires. When these dark desires penetrate communities, people will commit crimes, disorder, there will be chaos in the world, fight and destruction. 

That is why religious teachings – those found in the ten commandments or the five precepts – try to guide humans into a righteous, peaceful life: do not kill, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not be intoxicated, do not sin by words.

In CSCDHM 2015 CreateSpace, p34, 112-113, we read as a teaching from God:

“Remember that I have sent demon under the form of wild beasts to surround you and to bite you every day; but do not worry, because I have already given you an armor for your protection which they can never see and which is your virtue. Always keep it until you return to Me.”

The wild beasts here are our innumerable desires for a good life, for wealth, for honor, for superiority.

Among the virtues we can cite compassion, righteousness, civility, loyalty, trustfulness, , generosity, honesty, piety, respect to senior. We need to cultivate our heart, be disciplined and treat each other with love and the golden rule.

Love will neutralize hatred and is therefore the key to Nirvana (as is stated in CSCDHM 2015 CreateSpace, p.209)

The demons are innumerable and are masters when it comes to illusion and seduction. 

However, our father God comes to our salvation as he granted us the virtue “which is like an endless ladder which could help you to reach the highest position, My level.” 

CSCDHM 2015 CreateSpace, p 112-113

And love is the highest virtue. Followed is the teaching of God about love.

“Love is the source of all life in the universe.

With love, all living beings can be at peace and the universe tranquil. With peace and tranquility, there would be no animosity, no mutual destruction, and subsequently there would be maintenance of life and evolvement. 

With hatred, demon destroys evolvement. 

Therefore, from now on, if you cannot love each other, I forbid you to hate each other. Obey!”

CSCDHM 2015 CreateSpace, p 243

 

Hum Dac Bui, MD

Notes from Hong Dang Bui,M.D.:

CaoDai cosmology describes the origin of all from a “Cosmic Ether”, from which a big explosion occurs, which gives to a Monad consisting of Negative and Positive Lights. The Monad is God.

God divides into the Dyad, one Negative and one Positive. The Negative is entrusted to the Divine Mother. God remains purely Positive.

Mother gives the “negative”visible part, the mind and emotions to All. Father grants the “ positive “invisible Spirit. Therefore, we All carry both Negative and Positive elements in us. Life requires both Negative and Positive components.

If the Positive part prevails, our demeanor, behavior, activities are loving, kind, compassionate, harmonious.. If we let the Negative dominates, adverse emotions

(desires, hatred, jealousy, anger..), unkind behaviors ensue.

As All come from Divine Father and Divine Mother, and All receive a spark of the Divine Spirit, we All in the Universe are linked spiritually and share the Oneness

with each other and with God.

CaoDai offers a benevolent, compassionate, supportive, educational God addressed by the adept as “Thầy”, which means both Teacher and Father.

“Evil” deeds come from our non-cultivation, our earthly emotions, our ignorance which the Dao assists us in the control.

Chapter 2: VYACHESLAV DEMIDOVICH

RUSSIA

6/9/2019

Hùm mailing to Vyacheslav Demidovch, from Russia, on 6/9/2019:

Dear Vyacheslav,

So nice to see you today via Zoom.

Please give me your address so I can send you dress and turban for the initiation ceremony.

The costume for CaoDai disciple is white dress with a black turban.

Attached is a picture.

Best regards.

Hum

From Hum Dac Bui to Vyacheslav, November 19, 2019

Hi Vyacheslav,

Hope this finds you well physically and spiritually.

It’s quite a long time we did not hear from you. We mis you.

Are you busy with your new job?

What are you doing now?

Are you having time to translate more CaoDai teaching?

Do you have opportunity to have spiritual activities with your friends?

Do you have enough time for daily meditation?

How are the candies? Hope you and your friends enjoy them.

How do you like the interfaith stole (scarf). Please wear it with your white dress and send us a picture.

We are so busy with many activities. We are writing book about Caodai Theology, participating in establishing Compassionate City in Pomona, helping scholars for their CaoDai thesis, doing TV CaoDai teaching, preparing for lectures on CaoDai in Australia in this coming February 2020 and so on.

Please feel free to contact us regularly for any question and for informing us with your activities. We are looking forward to hearing from you more.

Best regards.

Love,

Hum

Vyacheslav replied 12/5/2019

Hi! All well, still there is no time on remittences, but hope that soon will emerge

Note: Then we entered Covid 19 epidemic and silence of exchanges.

Hong communicated again in June 202 to which Vyacheslav replied in the following message

Mail from Vyacheslav – 7/4^th/2024

Hello! I am working, I recently defended my thesis. Overall, everything is fine. Yes, I am interested in the KaoDai religion, I continue to study information about it and not only. How are you? Everything is difficult in Russia now, prices have increased, and there are many problems. How is the situation in the USA? Is everything alright?

 

Vyacheslav

Mail from Vyacheslav – 7/6^th/2024

Hi, Rose! Yes, I’ve seen the number of article views and I’m happy about that. I especially liked the last article I translated. Yes, I even wanted to go to Vietnam with my wife to visit Cao Dai temple, but because of the difficult political and economic situation it is difficult to do it now. I still study spiritual issues and aspects of some religious traditions and see the One Principle in all world religions. By the way, I am now married and we live together. Perhaps in the future

I will be able to go to Vietnam or to the USA, I have always been interested in these countries and there I will be able to receive initiation. How do you look at it, what do you think? But for now it is very difficult to do it, there are certain difficulties. How is Sergei? I haven't heard from him for a long time.

In Russia, despite the fact that I have shared my translations and information about Kao-Dai, there are still few people interested in this religion, but I communicate with Vaishnavas and we can talk about a lot of things with them. Recently they invited me to their festival in Tomsk, where spiritual teachers will come even from Singapore and the Philippines, but I will not go, because I am working, and I have no desire to go so far away. But I continue to dialog with them, because there are few people here to talk to about spiritual things. Maybe in the future there will be people interested in KaoDai, that would be wonderful. I am attaching a photo to this letter.

 

The same Vyacheslav with best wishes

С уважением,
Вячеслав Демидович

Hong Dang Bui to Vyacheslav, July 6, 2024

I am so glad to receive your pictures. You both look so kind

and one can see compassion in you.

My warm wishes of Happiness from far away America.

“Trăm năm hạnh phúc “

In VNmese meaning

“100 years of Happiness “.

Regarding Initiation, we’ll do when you feel ready. It would be wonderful if we can do it in 

California at our temple in Anaheim!

Love,

Rose 

Sent from my iPhone

Note:

Vyacheslav has translated ‘What is Caodaism” into Russian language and posted it

on http://caodai.org.in 2022.

CHAPTER 3 – CAODAI, A FAITH OF UNITY

INTERVIEW FOR EL CAMINO DE LA UNIDAD

By J.M.S.

CHILE

ANSWERS BY HUM DAC BUI, M.D.

11/29/2019

Hello Javier! Hello Caminos!

Hello sisters and brothers,

I am Rev. Dr. Hum Dac Bui, Vice president of the CaoDai Overseas. It’s a great pleasure and privilege to participate in this interview by the Caminos channel about CaoDai.

CAODAI, A FAITH OF UNITY

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE QUESTIONS ADDRESSED BY EL CAMINO DE LA UNIDAD

1. WHAT IS CAODAI

2. PHILOSOPHICAL PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF CAODAI

3. HOW CAODAI ORIGINATED? WHERE, HOW AND WHY IT WAS FOUNDED

4. CAO DAI AFFIRM THAT ALL RELIGIONS EMANATE FROM THE SAME SOURCE AND ALL HAVE COMMON TEACHINGS BASED ON LOVE. IN THIS SENSE, WHILE THE TRUTH IS BEING ONE, WHY DID RELIGIONS MANIFEST IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND EVEN SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER LEADING TO CONFLICT AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS

5. WHAT DOES CAODAI TEACH ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE LIFE OF HUMAN BEINGS AND THE LIFE IN GENERAL?

6. WHAT IS THE MAIN PROBLEM FACED BY HUMAN BEINGS BOTH COLLECTIVELY AND INDIVIDUALLY AND WHY? DO YOU HAVE A SOLUTION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF CAO DAI? (QUESTION ASKED TO ALL INTERVIEWS)

7. WOULD YOU COMMENT ON THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF CAODAI CUSTOMS, RITUALS, CLOTHING, SANCTUARIES, ETC.

8. WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LISTENING AT THIS MINUTE? (QUESTION ASKED TO ALL INTERVIEWS)

I - WHAT IS CAODAI?

*a faith of unity and inclusion,

*which originated in Vietnam in the 1920s,

*It has between 6 to 7 million followers, mostly in Vietnam, now spread all over the world, secondary to the exodus of 1975.

*an encompassing faith, uniting humanity and religions through a common divine source, believing in the oneness between God and humans and the universe including religions.

This oneness is physically backed up by science as everything from materials to humans is constituted of electrons and protons respectively corresponding to Yin and Yang energies from God.

*CaoDai recognizes the common teachings of all faiths for love, compassion, justice.

*It offers a way of practice (the triple fold-path) easily reached by the faith or non-faith based person in attaining peace for the individual and for the collectiveness, as well as ultimate enlightenment.

CaoDai was founded in 1920s via spiritualism by God CaoDai bringing all religions together in peace and harmony with the goal:

uniting the five ways of the Tao to end religious conflict,

realizing peace in the world (Nhơn Đạo Thái Bình)

and spiritual liberation (Thiên Đạo Giải Thoát)

Spiritually, all living beings share a spark of God’s spirit called little sacred light or conscience in humankind. God is the Great Sacred Light, humans are the little sacred light. This conception is reflected by the teaching “Thầy là các con, các con là Thầy.” (I, your master, am you, my children; and you are me) or in other words:

God is humans, humans are God: God granted a Spark of The Divine Spirit to All in the Universe. By carrying this Spark of Divine Spirit, man can cultivate to join God.

From the above conception, comes the reality that

all religions are not different,

have the same divine origin which is God,

the same ethics based on love and justice (love is the true love, unconditional love and justice is “don’t do to others what you don’t want others to do to you”);

and religions are just beautiful manifestations of one same truth.

This conception is essential to resolve conflict between religions.

II - PHILOSOPHICAL PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF CAODAI

A-Principles: Two principles

1-Oneness between God and everything in the universe

2-Love and Justice

1-Oneness between God and everything or God and humans are one.

In creating the universe, the Supreme Being shared his spirit with everything in the universe from materials, plants, animals and humans.

We all have the spirit of God inside which is called Christ in self, Buddha nature, Atman (in Hinduim), Naf-e-mainmannah, Tiểu Linh Quang (meaning Little Sacred Light in CaoDai), and commonly called conscience.

We all may discover this spirit in ourselves and work to be united with the Divine.

Those principles are well taught in the message from the Supreme Being: “I, your master, am you, My children, and you are Me.”

The first part “I am you” means that God is present in each one of us, to guide us to live a good and virtuous meaningful life according to love and justice to realize peace in humanity.

The second part “You are Me” means that with cultivation we may become God, unified with God or enlightened.

From the principle of oneness, we may understand the nature of the Supreme Being through CaoDai cosmology

Holy message: In the cosmic ether appeared the great source of Divine Light called "Thái Cực" (Monad) or the Supreme Being.

The Monad then created Yin and Yang, the two opposite logos: "Âm Quang" (Yin Energy) and "Dương Quang" (Yang Energy). Yin is heavy, dark, cold, dense, negative, inactive… while Yang is clear, bright, warm, pure, positive, active… Yin and Yang energies interact with each other to form the heavens and universes. After creating the universe, God shared a part of His spirit to create everything in the universe from materials, to plants, animals and humans. We should understand that everything emanates out of God’s spirit, where there is life there is God. God is the progenitor of life. God is life.

CaoDai uses the All Seeing Eye, the symbol of the new faith, to represent the Supreme Being:
 

  “The heart manifests at the eye
        Presiding everything are two sources of light (Yin and Yang energies corresponding to electrons and protons);
        Light is spirit;
        Spirit is God.”  (TNHT 1972, p11)

The conclusion is that the Supreme Being is the Light and is called in CaoDai Great Sacred Light.

When we study the nature of God, we realize that religions share a common conception of the Divine.

Other religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sufism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikkhism believe the same under different wordings such as Light or Energy, or Divine Consciousness, or the Nothingness with no beginning, no end, or eternal.

2-The second principle is Love and Justice.

God is Love

The divine law is Justice

God is Light, God is Life, God is Love.

Holy message: I am Love. You, children, are the body of Love.

Love is the key to Nirvana.

Justice is the divine law. Justice is manifested as the karma law, the golden rule. Golden rule is “don’t do to others what we don’t want others to do to us”

Love and justice constitute an essential teaching in CaoDai.

At the entrance of a CaoDai temple there is a painting of the Three Saints with the words in French "Dieu et Humanité, Amour et Justice,” (God and Humanity, Love and Justice).

The collaboration of the Vietnamese Trạng Trình with French Victor Hugo and Chinese Sun Yat Sen is to show forgiveness and reconciliation. Humanity is to promise with God to abide in Love and Justice in order to be saved.

B -OBJECTIVES OF CAODAI: From the two essential principles of oneness and Love and Justice the objectives that derive are of three main aspects:

• Unity of religions

• Human Tao is peace

• Divine Tao is liberation or enlightenment

To understand the first objective of CaoDai we need to know the reason of the founding of CaoDai.

The reason of the founding of CaoDai is explained by the following message from the Supreme Being: “Formerly, people lacked transportation and therefore did not know each other, I then founded at different epochs and in different areas, five branches of the Great Way: the way of humanity, the way of Angels, the way of Saints, the way of Immortals, and the way of Buddhas, each based on the customs of the race. In present days, transportation has been improved, and people have come to know each other. But people do not always live in harmony because of the very multiplicity of those religions.

That is why I have decided to unite all those religions into one to bring them to the primordial unity. Moreover, the Holy Doctrine has been, through centuries, more and more denatured by the people responsible for spreading it. I am so broken-hearted to see that human beings, for the last ten thousand years, have committed crimes and subsequently suffered life after life in Hell.

I have now firmly resolved to come Myself to save you and not to leave anymore the Holy Doctrine in human hands.”

The Supreme Being founded the five ways of the Tao by multiple manifestations as religious founders as stated in the following message:

“Nhiên Đăng Cổ Phật (Dipankara, an old time Buddha) is Me,
Sakya Muni is Me,
Thái Thượng Nguơn Thỉ (an ancient legendary Immortal) is Me,
Who is Cao Dai.” April 7, 1926.

God has come to the world under the form of human beings to founded many religions.

Under the name of Dipankara Buddha and Sakya Muni, the way of Buddhas was founded.

Under the name of Thái Thượng Nguơn Thỉ (previous life of Lao-Tse), God founded the way of Immortals or Taoism.

In a Message from Christmas 1925:” …Rejoice this day, the 24^th of December, the anniversary of My arrival in Europe to teach The Way…” So here, God mentioned Christianity, and alluded to His appearance as Jesus.

All Religions are beautiful diverse manifestations of one same Truth. Religions can be grouped in 5 ways manifested in 3 revelations.

The Three Revelations also known as axial ages include

- First Revelation: 5000 years ago

- Second Revelation: 2500 years ago

- Third Revelation: contemporary, unification of the five ways of the Dao.

The Five Ways of the Dao as described in CaoDai scriptures consist of

1. The Way of Humanity, which teaches the fulfillment of the secular life with personal, family, community responsibility. This way helps the person to lead a harmonious life with himself, his family and the community.

2. The Way of Local Spirits, with the worshipping of wise spirits. It is believed that virtuous persons and heroes, after their death, would come in spirit to help the livings.

3. The Way of Saints (Abrahamic religions), in which service and sacrifice lead our life. Service, taught in all traditions is expressed at its highest in the way of Saints. Attested to that are the widespread mission works of Christianity in particular. The best example is Mother Teresa.

4. The Way of Immortals with respect of the natural order, meditation for purification. The person in this way looks into leading a life conforming with the natural enfoldment of events and with attention to cultivation of personal virtues.

5. The Way of Buddhas with eradication of human emotions, and meditation to discover our divine nature. The person strives to shed away the multitude of adverse emotions due to the ego and desires in the goal of attaining absolute calmness and enfolding the Buddha nature hidden behind the secular turmoil.

The first three ways deal mostly with our secular life. The fourth and fifth ways involve spiritual cultivation.

The history of five ways of the Tao is divided in three revelations

The Five Ways of the Dao First Revelation (5000 years ago)

1. Way of Humanity King Fu-Hsi

2. Way of Local Spirits Way of folkloric worshipping

3. Way of Saints (Abrahamic religions) Moses (Judaism)

4. Way of Immortals Thái Thượng Đạo Quân

5. Way of Buddhas Hinduism; Dipankara Buddha

The Five Ways of the Dao Second Revelation (2500 years ago)

1. Way of Humanity Confucius (Confucianism)

2. Way of Local Spirits Jiang Taigong

3. Way of Saints (Abrahamic religion) Jesus Christ (Christianity) Mohammad (Islam)

4. Way of Immortals Lao Tse (Taoism)

5. Way of Buddhas Gautama Buddha (Buddhism)

Third Revelation: Contemporary with the Unification of Faith Traditions consists of:

* In the 19^th century the ecumenical movements: Theosophy, Unitarian Universalism, Unity Church, New Thought, Baha’i which taught the unity of religions.

* In the 20^th century: Burgeoning and blossoming of grass root interfaith movements.

And most recently, the Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ or The Third Universal Salvation of the Great Way, or CaoDai, which brings to its culmination the notion of religious inclusion with promise for spiritual joy and social harmony and peace.

The Supreme Being said: “I have now firmly resolved to come Myself to save you and not to leave anymore the Holy Doctrine in human hands.”

And anyone of us has God spirit inside that guide us in our life.

And the immediate purpose of the founding of CaoDai is to resolve the conflict between religions because of the name of God.

With the principles and the reason of the founding of CaoDai, we may understand the objectives of CaoDai as:

1. unification of the five ways of the Tao in harmony and peace ending the religious conflict

2. Peace to humanity (Nhơn Đạo Thái Bình)

3. Union with God or enlightenment (Thiên Đạo Giải Thoát)

I would like to introduce Dr. Hong Dang Bui, member of the Dignitary Council of the CaoDai Overseas to present on the Practical Approach of CaoDai.

In life, CaoDai offers the following practical approach:

1. Practice of one or more of the five ways of the Tao

2. Observe Love and Justice

3. Practice the Triple-Fold Path

4. And vegetarian diet as much as possible.

I will develop on the Triple-Fold Path.

To assist the disciple in attaining peace in this life and liberation afterwards, CaoDai faith offers the Triple-Fold Path which consists of Công Quả or service to humanity, Công Trình or self-cultivation, and Công Phu or return to the Inner Self by meditation.

1. Công quả: Service to humanity

Service to humanity is our practical contribution to the well being of humanity. In CaoDai, it in fact extends to the whole universe. Since human beings can be seen as constituted of three aspects, the physical, the emotional and the spiritual aspects, service can be rendered at those three planes.

At the physical plane, we send to the needy with food, clothing, shelter, we help build houses, hospitals, school, temples, and churches.

For the comfort of the mind and the emotions, we offer words of encouragement, understanding assurance.

At the spiritual level, we share teachings of morality, duty, scriptures, encourage the person to lead a virtuous life.

Service is provided unconditionally without waiting for rewards. It comes spontaneously from our love for the person and the universe. It helps us pay our previous life’s karmic debt.

CaoDai holy message professes: “You do not need to seek for great philosophy: just look at the life of your human companions and try to serve and nurture it. If you serve humanity with all your heart, the gate of heaven is already open to you....” CSCDHM 2015, p. 148

2. Công Trình: Self-cultivation:

Self-cultivation is a self discipline in controlling our secular emotions arising from desires, hatred, jealousy, anger, fear... We remind ourselves everyday of improving our demeanor, our behavior, our attitude so as to bring forward love and harmony. Self-cultivation gives the perseverance in our acts of service to humanity and our effort in returning to our inner self through meditation. Self-cultivation is that courage that gives us strength to surmount difficulties while we search for the calm for our meditation. It is a necessary discipline for the success of the other two parts of the Triple Fold Path.

3. Công phu: Return to Inner Self.

Our goal in our spiritual journey is to return to our divine origin. Meditation constitutes a necessary exercise to find the divine Essence in ourselves.

We all inherit a spark of the Divine’s Spirit. In order to unveil that spirit spark, we need to silence our secular attchments and its noisy emotions. “Phàm tâm lặng lẻ, Thánh tâm sanh” or “when the human heart is out, the divine heart will surface.” If we practice the service to humanity and the self-cultivation without the return to inner self, we shall miss the discovery of our sublime nature, of our divine origin.

4. The Triple Fold Path realization: the meeting of exoterism and esoterism

Practicing all the three aspects of the Triple Fold Path forms the basis for our peace during this life. It constitutes the meeting of exoterism (service to humanity) and the esoterism (meditation) with the self-cultivation riding between. It realizes “Phước Huệ Song Tu.”

Phước is the credit accrued with selfless service.

Huệ is the wisdom attained with meditation.

Song Tu means concurrent cultivation.

The CaoDai Triple Fold Path offers a practical means for the realization of peace within and without.

III - HOW CAODAI ORIGINATED? WHERE, HOW AND WHY IT WAS FOUNDED?

CaoDai was founded by the direct communication between humans and God.

Everyone has God’s spirit inside. We can self-cultivate in order to find God and be united with God inside. We may hear God’s words inside.

But not all people can hear God’s words.

The one who can hear God’s words inside is called medium in CaoDai.

The medium can write down, or speak out loud God’s words that he/she hears.

A séance is a session where God’s words are recorded by a medium.

HOW WAS CAODAI STARTED?

In 1920, Mr. Ngô Văn Chiêu, governor of Phú Quốc Island of Vietnam, received God’s messages by spiritualism. The Supreme Being ordered him to give messages to all religions, to all human beings that all religions are one. There is no difference between people, and there is only one God who is known by many names.

God taught Mr. Ngô Văn Chiêu meditation, a technique of calming down the mind in order to be unified with God.

Governor Ngô Văn Chiêu

GOD’S WORDS WERE ALSO HEARD IN SAIGON, VIETNAM.

In 1925, Mr. Cao Quỳnh Cư, Mr. Cao Hoài Sang, and Mr. Phạm Công Tắc also received God’s messages in Saigon. God ordered them to look for Mr. Ngô Văn Chiêu, and then together to start the CaoDai faith.

His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc

THE EYE OF GOD

God instructed them to use the “All Seeing Eye,” as a symbol of the new faith, because the “All Seeing Eye” represents God. Of course God does not have a human eye or a body that can be seen like a human’s, but humans do have something like an “All Seeing Eye” which can relate to God.

IV - CAO DAI AFFIRM THAT ALL RELIGIONS EMANATE FROM THE SAME SOURCE AND ALL HAVE COMMON TEACHINGS BASED ON LOVE. IN THIS SENSE, WHILE THE TRUTH IS BEING ONE, WHY DID RELIGIONS MANIFEST IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND EVEN SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER LEADING TO CONFLICT AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS.

According to the message of the Supreme Being regarding the reason of founding of CaoDai:

“Formerly, people lacked transportation and therefore did not know each other, I then founded at different epochs and in different areas, five branches of the Great Way: the way of humanity, the way of Angels, the way of Saints,

the way of Immortals, and the way of Buddhas, each based on the customs of the race. In present days, transportation has been improved, and people have come to know each other. But people do not always live in harmony because of the very multiplicity of those religions.

That is why I have decided to unite all those religions into one to bring them to the primordial unity. Moreover, the Holy Doctrine has been, through centuries, more and more denatured by the people responsible for spreading it. I am so broken-hearted to see that human beings, for the last ten thousand years, have committed crimes and subsequently suffered life after life in Hell.

I have now firmly resolved to come Myself to save you and not to leave anymore the Holy Doctrine in human hands.”

CaoDai teaches that all religions come from one same divine source.

The truth is always one and identical in all religions.

However, the applications differ according to the cultures and the ethnic personalities. With times, because of the advances of materialistic life and of human ambitions, the truth was progressively modified and becoming totally different and even conflicting with each other leading to widespread world conflicts.

God creates us all different with many faith practices.

This may be called “From One emanate many.”

We should think and discover, beyond these differences, our common sublime origin, which God has used to thread us together.

It’s our own responsibility to discover the common light granted to us, the universal truth that has been blurred by our physical and cultural differences.

That’s why CaoDai wants to bring them back to the original truth without anymore discrimination. Or “Many return to One.”

V – WHAT DOES CAODAI TEACH ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE LIFE OF HUMAN BEINGS AND THE LIFE IN GENERAL?

Life on this earth is a community where all beings from materials, plants, animals, humans should live together in harmony.

Humans through practicing love, justice, and service and meditation, will progress in our spiritual journey leading to the ultimate return to the unification with our sublime origin.

Life is a school where all souls have to learn, cultivate, and pass a test to fulfill this purpose. Our physical body is a carrier that our soul uses to have this life education.

In this school of life birth, aging, sickness, death, sufferings, … are the lessons that would help us progress on our journey to return home.

From the message of CaoDai the Supreme Being, all beings have a spark of God’ spirit inside, and we all are brothers and sisters of the same spiritual family.

The Supreme Being has provided us the principle to learn and to pass the test of life. That principle is Love and Justice

Love is the true love, sincere love without any personal interest.

Love is nothing other than God. Love is God.

We are all the body of love that carries God inside.

We have to love the person in front of us, our neighbors, our enemies, etc… because they all have God inside of them.

Loving and serving others is loving and serving God.

And “Love is the Key to Nirvana” that we all can use to return to the Kingdom of God.

Justice is Don’t do to other which you don’t want done to yourself. It’s the

Golden Rule, that all religions teach for us to observe.

VI – WHAT IS THE MAIN PROBLEM FACED BY HUMAN BEINGS BOTH COLLECTIVELY AND INDIVIDUALLY AND WHY? DO YOU HAVE A SOLUTION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF CAO DAI? (QUESTION ASKED TO ALL INTERVIEWS)

Man is conceived in CaoDai as having three parts, the body, the mind with ego and emotions, and the spirit.

We believe the main problem comes from our physical body’s needs and emotions, the ego.

Everyone has a soul called spirit, conscience, Buddha nature, the true self, Christ in self, Atman, Naf-e-manmainnah, Tiểu Linh Quang or Little Sacred Light in CaoDai, etc… which is always deep inside of us and guiding us to live a happy, beautiful, meaningful life with compassion.

However, everyone has also a physical body with six organs that need to be always satisfied.

Those organs have six senses, then six desires, that generate emotions, greed, anger, illusion, sufferings.

Those desires and emotions cover our soul, our conscience many times. They are controlled by the ego (phàm tâm) which will lead our life to incessant sufferings, turmoil, even crimes.

Ego needs to be controlled if we like to live a life that pleases our conscience. Our disciplined mind helps us to switch from egoistic desires to pure and loving conscience.

The solution is mentioned in the above question, which is

• Disciplined observance of Love and Justice: unconditional love and “don’t do to others what we don’t want others to do to us.”

• Disciplined practice of the Triple-Fold Path of self-cultivation, service and meditation.

• Discover our pure spirit also called soul by many people.

Therefore, for the solution to be effective, CaoDai would like to remind us all that we all carry a spark of the Divine Spirit in ourselves. Once we realize of our sublime nature, then that sublime light shines through our speech and actions which lead to harmony for all.

VII – WOULD YOU COMMENT ON THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF CAODAI CUSTOMS, RITUALS, CLOTHING, SANCTUARIES, ETC.

THE GOD ALTAR

I show you the schema of the altar:

The altar is arranged with:

The Divine Eye

Thái Cực lamp (Eternal light, the light of God)

Yin and Yang candles represent respectively Yin and Yang energies

Fruits and flowers represent TINH, physical energy or the physical body

Wine represents KHÍ (Chi), vital energy or mind with emotions and ego.

Water and tea represent THẦN, spiritual energy or the soul or conscience.

TINH, KHÍ, THẦN are the three treasures of humans and superior spirits. When Tinh Khí, and Thần become one, one would reach enlightenment.

There should be five incense sticks in the incense vase.

The three sticks (closer to the Divine Eye) represent the three essential ranks of the universe, God, Earth and Humans.

The five sticks together represent the five levels of cultivation: observances and purification, meditation, enlightenment, wisdom, and liberation or unification with God.

RITUALS

HOW TO PERFORM DAILY CEREMONY?

Followers perform the rituals in front of the altar.

After the greetings to the superior spirits, they start to chant the prayers in the following order:

1. Incense offering

2. Prelude

As the three great religions have also taught

Mainly to be benevolent of both character and deed.

From Confucius we’ve learned the middle way

From The Buddha we've learned compassion;

The Way of Immortals urges us toward spirituality.

From one root spring three counterpart stems.

3. Prayer dedicated to the Supreme Being

Glorious Supreme Being;

Creator of all beings;

Ruler of the Infinite;

Of Transcendent Golden Abode,

In the Magnificent White Pearl Palace;

At once manifest and unmanifest;

Giver of unspoken revelation;

Omniexistent;

Power of all Spirit;

4. Prayer dedicated to the way of Buddhas

5. Prayer dedicated to the way of Immortals

6. Prayer dedicated to the way of Saints

7. Holy flowers offering

8. Holy wine offering

9. Holy tea offering

10. The Five Vows

We pray that the wisdom of the great Tao

Be widely spread on earth.

Shining the way to all creatures of nature's birth.

May all humanity be redeemed,

And our whole world know peace.

And may the places we meet to worship You

Be granted safety's lease.

CLOTHING:

The “áo dài” is the national dress of Vietnam.

CaoDai uses the Vietnamese traditional costume as ceremonial dress.

The white color represents purity.

Dignitaries’ dresses:

Dignitaries dress in color for worshipping ceremony.

There is a hierarchy where the elders guide the juniors orderly.

There should be different dresses for identification.

Color yellow the way of Buddhas

Color blue the way of Immortals.

Color red represents the way of Saints.

In public activity, dignitaries wear white.

CaoDai disciples wear white representing purity.

By being pure, the disciple aspires to progress on the journey to return to their divine origin.

SECULAR PRAYERS

Major secular prayers include Before meeting, After meeting, Before class, Before meal, After meal, Prayers for the dead. They are all meaningful.

We choose to present toyou the prayer before and after meals which are simple but deeply meaningful:

Before meal prayer

Foremost to the multitude of living beings,

To eat is the most necessary of things.

Cereals, the Creator has brought to this need,

And give to His children upon which to feed.

Our deep thanks go to Sen Nong King

Who taught in the ways of plants' upbringing.

Gratefully I vow to borrow this body of man

In use for the quest of the Eternal land.

After meal:

I pray for good physical health

In order to help change the world

According to the divine law

And convey divine love to all beings.

In the prayer before meal, it is reminded to us that we eat to sustain our physical body – ie not for simple pleasure. And that vegetables and grains are provided to us. The deeper meaning comes also that the healthy physical body is to carry through our self-improvement to reach the eternal land.

In the prayer after meal, the appreciation is given to those who provide foods and with our healthy body, our vows are to serve humanity.

VIII - WHAT WORK THE CAO DAI COMMUNITY IS CURRENTLY DOING TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED. WHAT ROLE DOES CAO DAI EXPECT TO PLAY IN THE FUTURE CHALLENGES THAT HUMANITY WILL FACE?

To realize CaoDai objectives, CaoDai concentrates on the work for humans

1. Unification of the five ways of the Tao through interfaith activities

Journey To Bliss: CaoDai Center gathers diverse spiritual groups to learn and share with each other about the oneness that various faiths spring from. We then may walk together toward the peace of both inner and outer life. Our gatherings, involving interested individuals, are held on the first and third Sunday of each month from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. and consist of presentation, conversation, candle lighting, meditation, messages, dialogues around various themes.

2. Peace to humanity through Love and Service to the community

In practicing the Triple-Fold Path, CaoDai disciples cultivate self, serve humanity in many aspects from physical, emotional, to spiritual.

• Physical services through serving hot meals to the underserved

• Visiting rehabilitation and nursing homes,

• Creating Compassionate Cities with the co-operation with other religions: Pomona California was named by Pomona Mayor as Compassionate City in 2018. We are trying to bring peace education and moral teachings to the schools.

• As spiritual services, we present the universal spirit of CaoDai at universities, religious organizations encouraging humans to love and serve each other as brothers and sisters of the same spiritual family, in peace.

3. Union with God – Meditation sessions: Meditation integrates the spiritual energy to the physical realities around the person realizing the harmony between the inner and the outer worlds, bringing more peace and wisdom into daily life.

TO FACE FUTURE CHALLENGES

The greatest challenges is the conflict between humans because of the name of God.

CaoDai is trying to convey the message to all that we all are one, brothers and sisters of the same spiritual family. We all have the spirit of God inside ourselves, have the same destiny to be united with our divine principle.

Religions are not different, have the same divine origin, the same teaching based on the true love and justice and diverse beautiful manifestations of the same truth.

We should love and help each other on our journey to the oneness with the divine.

IX – WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LISTENING AT THIS MINUTE? (QUESTION ASKED TO ALL INTERVIEWS)

The goal of CaoDai is:

• Unification of religions in harmony

• Peace to humanity

• Union with the Divine

The message of CaoDai is condensed in the Three Pillars

1. Oneness of all in the universe and the Divine Principle

2. Practice of Love and Justice

3. Practice the Triple Fold-Path: Self-Cultivation, Service, Return to the Inner Self or meditation.

CaoDai invites all, faith and non-faith alike to attain peace and enlightenment.

We like to introduce to you our book “For The Rhythm of Our Journey, The Way of Life in CaoDai” available on Amazon.com and at Barnes and Nobles.

The book describes our spiritual journey and offers practical tools for all seekers, faith and non-faith alike to discover our common sublime nature for a fulfilled life.

CHAPTER 4 – BRIEF ESSENTIAL NOTIONS ON CAODAI

QUESTIONS FROM SS

BERLIN, GERMANY, 1/7/2020

Dear Madam,

Dear Sirs,

thank you all so much for your enthusiasm! Thank you for your quick replies! That is so kind, and we really appreciate it.

To us Western people, the most outstanding aspect of your religion is that it incorporates large beliefs into one. To me, this seems like a path to peace at a time when many conflicts on earth are based on - or at least tainted with - religious beliefs. And it is unfortunate, that in the west, only very few people are aware of CAO DAI. 

We are interested to learn much more (…and thank you very much for all the links and the materials! They will surely help to gain a deeper understanding) and we would be interested to make a documentary on Cao Dai.

I would like to ask my friends and co-workers Antje and Judith to get in contact with you, if that is all right with you?

Thank you again. I wish you all a peaceful and prosperous 2020!

all the best,

SS

Hong Bui <hongbui24568@gmail.com> kirjoitti 6.1.2020 kello 18.28:

Dear Ms SS,

Thank you for your interest in CaoDai.

Attached, please find a succinct account of CaoDai, a faith of Unity.

If you have any other specific questions, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Please visit website   caodai.org, check out

<BRIEF NOTIONS ON CAODAI.doc

SS

Blücherstr.53

10961 Berlin

(030) 693 31 08

(0172) 691 3108

CAODAI

BRIEF ESSENTIAL NOTIONS

Hong Dang Bui, M.D.

Hum Dac Bui, M.D.

2018

Thầy là các con, các con là Thầy

I am you, My children, and children, you are Me.

CAODAI – 1926

Cao Đài không phải là Cao Đài mới thật là Cao Đài

CaoDai without being CaoDai is the true CaoDai

Lý Thái Bạch’s spirit - 1974

TABLE OF CONTENT

FOREWORD……………………………………………… 6

INTRODUCTION………………………………………….7

CHAPTER ONE - BRIEF REVIEW OF HISTORY OF RELIGIONS……………………………………………….. 9

CHAPTER TWO – CAODAI, THE UNIFICATION OF

THE FIVE WAY OF THE DAO ........................................11

CHAPTER THREE – INCLUSION OF ALL IN THE UNIVERSE WITH THE COSMIC PRINCIPLE – COSMOLOGY …………………………………………. 13

CHAPTER FOUR – GOALS AND PRACTICE………… 16

CHAPTER FIVE – CAODAI STRUCTURE……………. 29

CHAPTER SIX – THE ROLE OF FEMININE IN CAODAI ..............................................................................................30

CHAPTER SEVEN – CAODAI HOLY SEE……………. 34

CHAPTER EIGHT – CAODAI ACTIVITIES……………35

SUMMARY …………………………………………… 36

OTHER READINGS…………………………………… 36

CONTACT INFORMATION …………………………… 37

Foreword

All religions have the same noble purpose of realization of a peaceful community where people love and help each other for a happy life. Thousands of denominations, religions are trying with difficulties and uncertainties to bring peace to the world, where humans mistrust each other because of the very multiplicity of faith traditions.

CaoDai teaches that all humans receive a spark of the spirit of God and are thus brothers and sisters from the same Father God. We all possess a common sublime origin to which we all can come back to realize lasting peace and happiness. This conception offers a way of life, which we believe has a great potential to bring religions together in harmony.

This booklet will give the reader succinct notions on that concept and its way of peaceful happy life for our human family in the midst of many diverse traditions.

Hum Dac Bui, MD

Hong Dang Bui, MD

Introduction and Outline

CaoDai is a faith of unity and inclusion, which originated in Vietnam in the 1920s, founded through spiritualism (way of communication between human and the higher spiritual realm). It has between 6 to 7 million followers, mostly in Vietnam, now spread all over the world, secondary to the exodus of 1975.

CaoDai is an encompassing faith, uniting humanity and religions through a common divine source, and recognizing the common teachings of all faiths for love, compassion, justice. It offers a way of practice easily reached by the faith or non-faith based person in attaining peace for the individual and for the collectiveness, as well as ultimate enlightenment.

This booklet “Essential Notions on CaoDai” wishes to bring you a brief useful account on this 20th century faith of unity and inclusion. The booklet follows this outline:

I- Brief review of history of religions - The place of CaoDai

II- CaoDai, the unification of the five ways of the Dao

III- Inclusion of all in the universe with the Cosmic Principle

IV- Goals and practice:

A- Goals:

1. Unification of Religions

2. The human Tao is peace, or peace in this life

3. The divine Tao is liberation or salvation thereafter

B- Practice:

1. Practice any one or combination of the five ways of the Dao

2. The Divine Eye

3. Love and justice

4. The Triple-fold path: service, self-cultivation and turning to inner-self.

5. Vegetarianism

V- CaoDai Organization

VI- The Feminine Role in CaoDai

VII- CaoDai Holy See

VIII- CaoDai Activities

Summary: The Three Pillars of CaoDai

Other Readings

Contact Information

Chapter One

BRIEF REVIEW OF HISTORY OF RELIGIONS- THE PLACE OF CAODAI

All Religions are beautiful diverse manifestations of one same Truth. Religions can be grouped in 5 ways manifested in 3 revelations.

The Three Revelations also known as axial ages include

- First Revelation: 5000 years ago

- Second Revelation: 2500 years ago

- Third Revelation: contemporary, unification of the five ways of the Dao

The Five Ways of the Dao as described in CaoDai scriptures consist of

6. The Way of Humanity, which teaches the fulfillment of the secular life with personal, family, community responsibility. This way helps the person to lead a harmonious life with himself, his family and the community.

7. The Way of Local Spirits, with the worshipping of wise spirits. It is believed that virtuous persons, after their death, would come in spirit to help the livings.

8. The Way of Saints (Abrahamic religions), in which service and sacrifice lead our life. Service, taught in all traditions is expressed at its highest in the way of Saints. Attested to that are the widespread mission works of Christianity in particular.

9. The Way of Immortals with respect of the natural order, meditation for purification. The person in this way looks into leading a life conforming with the natural enfoldment of events and with attention to cultivation of personal virtues.

10. The Way of Buddhas with eradication of human emotions, and meditation to discover our divine nature. The person strives to shed away the multitude of adverse emotions due to the ego and desires in the goal of attaining absolute calmness and enfolding the Buddha nature hidden behind the secular turmoil.

The first three ways deal mostly with our secular life. The fourth and fifth ways involve spiritual cultivation. Followed is a table summarizing the major figures of each of the ways in the revelations

The Five Ways of the Dao First Revelation (5000 years ago)

5. Way of Humanity King Fu-Hsi

6. Way of Local Spirits Way of folkloric worshipping

7. Way of Saints (Abrahamic religions) Moses (Judaism)

8. Way of Immortals Thái Thượng Đạo Quân

5. Way of Buddhas Hinduism; Dipankara Buddha

The Five Ways of the Dao Second Revelation (2500 years ago)

6. Way of Humanity Confucius (Confucianism)

7. Way of Local Spirits Jiang Taigong

8. Way of Saints (Abrahamic religion) Jesus Christ (Christianity) Mohammad (Islam)

9. Way of Immortals Lao Tse (Taoism)

10. Way of Buddhas Gautama Buddha (Buddhism)

Third Revelation: Contemporary with the Unification of Faith Traditions consists of:

* In the 19^th century the ecumenical movements: Theosophy, Unitarian Universalism, Unity Church, New Thought, Baha’i which taught the unity of religions.

* In the 20^th century: Burgeoning and blossoming of grass root interfaith movements.

And most recently, the Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ or The Third Universal Salvation of the Great Way, or CaoDai, which brings to its culmination the notion of religious inclusion with promise for spiritual joy and social harmony and peace.

The term CaoDai applies both to Đức Chí Tôn, the Supreme Being or Father God and to the faith. It literally means the High Tower. We recognize here the similarity with the term “Roofless Tower” in Christianity.

Chapter Two

CAODAI, THE UNIFICATION OF THE FIVE WAYS OF THE DAO

CaoDai was founded through spiritualism. In 1920, Mr. Ngô Văn Chiêu from Phú Quốc, Vietnam, received God's message that all religions and all human beings are one. There is no difference between people; all of them have religious beliefs that should be respected. God's words were also heard in Saigon by Mr. Cao Quỳnh Cư, Mr. Cao Hoài Sang and Mr. Phạm Công Tắc. The divine message is to let humanity know that religions come from one divine source and should come together in harmony and that human beings all receive a spark of the divine spirit and should come back to that sublime source. Thus the message was received by two different groups of people at two different locations.

Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ or The Third Universal Salvation of the Great Way is called as such since it comes after the other two previous revelations of the Way or Dao. Universal Salvation provides humanity with reachable ways of cultivation and enlightenment. CaoDai (1926) brings the unification of all faiths, conceives that all stem from one same divine source, with common teaching of love, compassion, service, justice and are just diverse beautiful manifestations of one same truth. CaoDai encourages to study all scriptures, respect all religious traditions, bridging all faiths. This convergence of faiths is especially visible at the esoteric level or the mystic level of experience of the divine.

Chapter Three

INCLUSION OF ALL IN THE UNIVERSE WITH THE COSMIC PRINCIPLE - COSMOLOGY

From the “Collection of Selected CaoDai Holy Messages” p. 234, translation by Bui & Bui, we read “when there was nothing in the universe, the cosmic ether gave birth only to Me, and my throne is the universal monad. I divided the monad into the dyad which is yin and yang, and then to the tetrad and the eight trigrams. The latter changes continuously to form the universe. I then divided My spirit to create ten thousand things from elements to living beings."

From the above passage, we learn that the Supreme Being divided Himself and granted a spark of His spirit to all in the universe. Thus we are part of the Divine. As we carry in us that spark of spirit - also called Christ in you, Buddha nature, Atman, Tiểu Linh Quang (from CaoDai meaning the Little Sacred Light) - we may discover it in us and work to be reunited with the Divine. That sublime origin promises to us a hopeful view of our ultimate destiny.

Followed are some other significant quotes on God and human nature

From Thánh Giáo Sưu Tập 1966-67, 36:

“Con là một chơn linh tại thế,

Cùng với Thầy đồng thể linh quang.

Khoá chìa con đã sẵn sàng,

Khi vào cõi tục khi sanh Thiên đình.”

“You are a spiritual being on earth;

Sharing with Me My spiritual light essence.

Thus you are given the key to the kingdom

So you can be in the mundane plane,

Or in the celestial kingdom at will!”

These verses affirm our spiritual potential and also our fragility as to reverse to our egoistic inferior self. In dealing with this duality of our nature, we need constantly to remind ourselves that it is all up to us to choose the way, the way that leads to peace or not.

From Đại Thừa Chơn Giáo (San Jose, Thiên Lý Bửu Tòa 1984, 65)

“Thật là diệu diệu huyền huyền,

Trời người có một chẳng riêng khác gì.

This is indeed beautifully mysterious,

God and man are one in essence,

There is no difference.”

Again, we are happily and mysteriously very close to the Divine.

“Thầy là các con, các con là Thầy”
I am you, My children, and children, you are Me.

I am you, My children: God grants us a spark of His spirit, makes us in His image.

Children, you are Me: We may cultivate ourselves and find God’s spirit in us and attain unification with the Divine, a blissful state that we all have the potential to discover.

This notion is universal to all, regardless of race and creed. Knowing this, we can transcend our outer differences and see each other as brothers and sisters of the same human family. We all possess a sublime origin and may return to our source.

This oneness extends to the physical plane.

We have the same internal organs - heart, lungs, intestines, liver - that look alike when the surgeon operates on us.

At the cellular level, that sameness and identity is even more striking in terms of chemical composition, reactions, enzymes, and hormones.

The basic functions are overwhelmingly the same.

At the proton and electron levels, the differences are indistinguishable.

We share this physical oneness with the animal kingdom somewhat at the organ level and increasingly at the smaller levels of cells and finally of atoms.

Moreover, science has demonstrated that we share our genes at

18 percent with plants,

26 percent with yeasts,

44 percent with the fruit fly,

92 percent with the mouse, and

98 percent with the chimpanzee!

More than 99 percent between humans.

CaoDai cosmology: According to the scriptures, at the beginning of all, there was a chaotic, nebulous, silent, mixed pure and impure atmosphere called Khí Hư Vô or the Nil, or the Cosmic Ether, corresponding to the Cosmic Soup described in science. From that Khí Hư Vô, a big explosion occurred and the Đại Linh Quang or Great Sacred Light appeared. It is with awe that we notice that the big explosion mentioned in the scripture antedates the Big Bang in science. The Đại Linh Quang is the unique Monad, Đức Chí Tôn or the Supreme Being. The Monad divides into the Dyad, with the Dương Quang Positive Light (Male) and the Âm Quang Negative Light (Female). While the Positive Light is governed by the Supreme Being, the Negative is trusted to the Mother Goddess. CaoDai thus worship both Father God and Mother Goddess. This feminine presence will be developed later in the booklet.

Chapter four

GOALS AND PRACTICE

A- GOALS

1. The Unification of Religions:

Right at the beginning, the Supreme Being clearly indicated the reason of the founding of CaoDai as in this following message: "Formerly, people lacked transportation and therefore did not know each other. I then founded at different epochs and in different areas, five branches of the Tao: the way of humanity, the way of local spirits, the way of Saints, the way of Immortals and the way of Buddhas, each based on the customs of the respective race. In present days, transportation has been improved, and people have come to know each other better, but do not live in harmony because of the very multiplicity of those religions. That's why I have deigned to unite all of those religions into one to bring them back to the primordial unity."

The conflicts between religions have led to many wars in the world just because of the name of God. Believing in the oneness of religions with similarity in their teachings, CaoDai aspires to bring religions together with mutual understanding, collaboration and harmony in the services of humanity realizing peace and harmony in the world.

2. Nhơn Đạo Thái Bình: The human Tao is peace

The human Tao or the way of secular life has for purpose in bringing peace, harmony, happiness to our daily encounter. This peace begins with ourselves, extends to our family, community.

The human Tao corresponds to the exoteric aspect of CaoDai and to the practice of the first three ways of the Dao mentioned in chapter one. How to attain this peace will be discussed in the practice part.

3. Thiên Đạo Giải Thoát: The divine Tao is liberation

The divine Tao is the road to recognizing our inner divine self, developing it, and attaining unification with the Divine. By embarking on that road, we become more and more spontaneously loving, compassionate, clearer, lighter, in harmony with all.

The divine Tao corresponds to the esoteric aspect of CaoDai.

This way of living, realizing both the human Tao and the divine Tao is also known as Phước Huệ Song Tu or concurrent cultivation through service and purification. Anyone of us whether faith or non-faith based can realize this way with the Triple - Fold Path described later in the booklet.

B- PRACTICE

This succinct rendering of the practical approach which culminates in the peace within and without can be realized by all regardless of their backgrounds.

1- Practice anyone or combination of the Five Ways

• Way of Humanity: Confucianism, fulfillment of the secular life in families and communities

• Way of Local Spirits: worshipping of wise spirits

• Way of Saints: Abrahamic religions, service and sacrifice

• Way of Immortals: respect of natural order, meditation

• Way of Buddhas: eradication of humane emotions - meditation

CaoDai encourages the disciples to study scriptures of all religions. And in doing so, they learn the commonalities among the scriptures, which spanned over the ages. These similarities denote that the teachings derive from the same source. Differences may however arise because of fragile human interpretations.

In the CaoDai cultivation, a person first fulfills the responsibilities of a human being, respecting his own self, then fulfills his/her duties as spouse, children, parents, citizens. As we perform these basic social duties, we may follow the worshipping of wise spirits, as well as the example of love, service and sacrifice of saints. At a deeper level of cultivation, we will strive in controlling our worldly desires, turn to the inner self to discover our sublime origin and be united with the cosmic principle.

2- The Divine Eye

The Supreme Being ordered Mr. Ngô Văn Chiêu, the first CaoDai disciple, to use the Divine Eye to represent God as well as CaoDai faith. The meaning of the symbol was explained in the following God's message:

"Nhãn thị chủ tâm,

Lưỡng quang chủ tể,

Quang thị thần,

Thần thị thiên.

Thiên giả ngã giả".

The eye representing the Supreme Being is the master of the heart;

From God, Yin and Yang lights create all;

Light is spirit;

Spirit is God.

The Supreme Being creates Yin and Yang energies corresponding to electrons and protons in sciences. They interact with each other to form heavens and universes.

3- Love and Justice

As is true in all religions, love and justice constitute a basic essential teaching in CaoDai.

Love is unconditional love, spontaneous love without searching for rewards.

And justice is “do not do to others what we don’t want others to do to us,” or “do to others what we want to be done to us.”

As we enter any CaoDai temple, we'll see at the center of the foremost wall the painting of the Three Saints, with the words in French and in Chinese of "Dieu et Humanité, Amour et Justice" or “God and Humanity, Love and Justice.”

This is the agreement of the three saints with God which originated from a teaching séance of the Giáo Tông (Spiritual Pope) Lý Thái Bạch. The three saints were Vietnamese Trạng Trình, a renown sage and poet from the 16th century, French novelist and socialist Victor Hugo from the 19th century and Chinese reformer Sun Yat Sen from the 20th century. Together, they showed forgiveness and reconciliation since Vietnamese had harsh feelings for Chinese and French from their colonization and dominance. The grouping also illustrates the collaboration between East and West. "God and Humanity, Love and Justice" calls for humanity to promise with God to abide with the practice of love, compassion, kindness and justice or the Golden Rule of "don't do to other what we don't want others to do to us," or “do to others what we like to be done to us.”

Love is unconditional, springing spontaneously from our heart toward our fellow humans, and extending to animals, plants and even inanimate objects. Love and justice enhance a pleasant interaction with others, create harmony and peace in families and communities.

Several passages in the CaoDai scriptures call for love and justice:

“You would not have further opportunity to serve humanity and thereby redeem yourselves...You are to love one another; your guidance to and sharing with each other are precious gifts which please Me greatly." (Collection of Selected CaoDai Holy Messages- Translation by Hum D. Bui, M.D. and Hong Dang Bui, M.D., CreateSpace 2015 p. 141).

"As I taught, just aspire to be able to love one another following my Holy example. Love is the key to the thirty six heavens, to Nirvana and the White Jade Palace. Whoever denies love would never be able to escape reincarnation. And moreover, I will take care of all your difficulties, while i just ask for your love of each other and for your effort in serving humanity for its liberation." (Collection of Selected CaoDai Holy Messages- Translation by Hum D. Bui, M.D. and Hong Dang Bui, M.D., Create Space, 2015 p. 209).

"Greetings to all younger brothers and sisters, do you know why we have to love all living beings? Because the Mercy Gather created all living in the universe, therefore they all have the same constituents. Therefore the love of the Great Mercy Father is unlimited. We are one of all species of the universe and are affected by the law of creation and nurture... Therefore opening the heart to love all living beings including petty species is a way to avoid Karma Law, because the Divine Law would never be partial to anyone..." (Collection of Selected CaoDai Holy Messages- Translation by Hum D. Bui, M.D. and Hong Dang Bui, M.D. Create Space, 2015 p. 269).

4- Tam Công or Triple - Fold Path

consisting of the concurrent practice of Công quả (Service), Công trình (Self-cultivation) and Công phu (Turning to Inner-self).

4.1: Công Quả - Service

Rendering help from spontaneous loving kindness, indiscriminately to anyone, anywhere, at anytime is the behavior of a person of faith. Service is an effective practical contribution to the well-being of all in the universe. As we have a physical body, emotions and a mind or spirit, service can be accomplished at three planes:

• Physical: Food, clothing, shelter; conservation of the environment.

• Emotional: Moral support, comforting gestures and words.

• Spiritual: Prayers – sharing spiritual teachings

These acts of service relieve distresses from suffering persons and enhance spiritual enfoldment of the recipient and the giver alike.

Followed are two passages on service, one from the Bible and one from CaoDai scripture:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Matthew 25:35

“You do not need to seek for great philosophy. Just look at the life of your human companions and try to serve and nurture it. If you serve humanity with all your heart, the gate of Heaven is already open to you.” CaoDai. (The Sermon of HH. Phạm Công Tắc, 1949).

4.2: Công Trình - Self-Cultivation

Self-cultivation is a self discipline in the improvement of our demeanor, behavior, attitude so as to bring forward love and harmony. Followed is a description of some essential aspects in self-cultivation:

• Taming of emotions: controlling our secular emotions of desire, jealousy, hatred, anger, fear, hunger for dominance by recognizing them as they arise, and dissipating them with the practice of love, compassion, inclusion, generosity. Each evening, reassess the day of activities and see what can be improved to bring happiness to others and to ourselves.

• Study of scriptures, religious and moral texts: These studies give examples on how we can develop our understanding for others, help us to see more of our defaults, discover our good potentials, encourage us in exercising our yearning toward our higher self.

• Enhancement of service to all: self-cultivation reminds us to keep bringing service to all, human and other living beings alike. It is in the selfless service that we find our sublime origin, our purpose in this earthly life.

• Application of Love and Justice: Part of self- cultivation is to consistently observe love and justice as described earlier. Grounding on love and justice helps us to evolve to peace and harmony by guiding us in our relations with others.

• Persistence in meditation: We need to have courage and strength to surmount difficulties as we search to uncover our sublime self in meditation, which will be addressed in this next section.

4.3: Công Phu - Turn to inner-self, meditation

Meditation is one of the three prongs of the Triple-fold path. It represents a necessary pillar in the rhythm of our spiritual journey. For the clarity of the text, we'll discuss the basic questions of what, why, who, when, where and how, and finally end with the description of the five steps of achievement in meditation. But we want to mention right away that research in neuroscience, psychology, neurobiology have recently found many beneficial effects of meditation which will be addressed thereafter.

4.3.1. What is meditation?

Meditation is a process that help to quiet down our mind, leading to clearer thinking, relaxation of both body and mind, inducing a sensation of peace. From the Latin meditatus, it is "to think or reflect upon; to revolve in one's mind," which implies a focusing of one's thought, a cessation of the continuously wandering of the mind (monkey mind). Công Phu, the word in CaoDai for meditation, brings us to a deeper dimension. It means to quiet down all emotions, secular activities, or attachments; it is to calm down the egoistic self, so as to bring forward the “True self,” genuinely good and pure. It leads to unification with the divine.

4.3.2. Why do we meditate?

Effects of meditation.

In daily general life, meditation brings about a rest from the incessant secular turmoil. It is a nourishment for our mind and spirit, as physically, we nourish our body with three daily meals.

Recent research from immunology, neuroscience, psychology, neurobiology points toward the following beneficial effects of meditation:

- Booster effects on the immune function.

- Meditation is linked to beneficial effects on longevity, stress control, sense of purpose in life and brain structure and function (studies of T.L. Jacobs et al, Linda E. Carlson et al, and of Sara Lazar, Madhav Goyal, Florian Kurth).

- As a devotional act, meditation uncovers our sublime self and help us to connect with the Divine. As CaoDai puts it: “Phàm tâm lặng lẽ, thánh tâm sanh” or “when the human mind quiets down, the saintly mind emerges.”

4.3.3. Who meditates?

Meditation can be practiced by anyone regardless of background. It has been introduced in schools such as in Bhutan and in some US schools.

4.3.4. When and where to meditate?

It is important to find a suitable time to enter into the quietness of meditation. For beginners, early in the morning before the day of activities starts, or late in the evening before sleep and after the day is completed, help to induce into the contemplation. Try to return at the same time and the same place every day, until you can enter into meditation anytime and anywhere.

4.3.5. How to meditate?

The principle of meditation is to empty the mind from its incessant wandering turmoil, so as to achieve a clearer, purer, more peaceful state, at which time the True Self may be unveiled, leading to joy and peace.

Many ways of practice are available. We suggest the triple approach of harmonizing the body, harmonizing the breath and harmonizing the mind.

In harmonizing the body, a lotus or semi-lotus position of the legs, with the spine erect, and all muscles relaxed is suggested.

Then imagine the Chi flow following the breathing in and out. Focusing on the breath is convenient because it can be done anytime and anywhere.

As the body is calm, the rhythmic regular breathing will induce the mind to come into quietness.

4.3.6. The five steps of evolvement with meditation:

The ultimate goal in meditation is the union with the divine. With regular meditation, five discernible steps of spiritual evolvement can be described:

Giới or literally restriction indicates that the person observes the precepts of do not kill, do not steal, do not get intoxicated, do not sin by sex, do not sin by words.

Định or concentration refers to concentrate the inner-self for purification, so as not to be disturbed by secular matters.

Huệ or clarity indicates that the mind become clear and bright.

Tri kiến or wisdom refers to a state of understanding the matters of the universe.

Giải thoát or liberation, the final step of enlightenment.

Practicing the three aspects of the Triple-fold Path constitutes the concurrent cultivation of exoterism (service to humanity) and esoterism (meditation) also called Phước Huệ Song Tu in CaoDai.

5- Vegetarianism

CaoDai promotes a vegetarian lifestyle, recommending to the new disciple to start out with at least 6 days a month of vegetarian diet, progressing to 10 days a month, then to fully vegetarian especially if embracing the esoteric path. Six days a month would involve the 1st, 8th, 14th, 15th, 23rd and the 30th of each lunar month. Ten days a month involve the 1st, 8th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, 28th, 29th, and 30th. In the months that have only 29 days (instead of 30th), the 27th day will be included to make up for the missing 30th.

Why do we practice vegetarianism?

Love to animals, conservation of environment, health benefits, and spiritual lift can be cited as the main reasons.

The very first reason is the avoidance of killing animals. Vegetarianism expresses compassion, mindfulness for animals, an attitude of inflicting no harm, subjecting no pain to other organisms.

The industry of animals farming wastes natural resources as it takes up land, water, crops for animals raising. Animal excreta add to the pollution. Instead of nourishing one meat eater, we can nourish fourteen persons following a vegan diet.

Vegetarian lifestyle is associated with the decrease in risks for diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia or high cholesterol and fats, and even a decrease in risk for cancer.

Observing a plant-based diet enhances our sense of well-being, our loving-kindness and helps avoid bad karma. It facilitates our efforts for meditation and assists our purification

.

Does the vegetarian get enough nutrients?

We will address the provision of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and minute elements.

Proteins are produced by the combination of base elements called amino-acids (AA). Twenty AA are available, with eleven that can be manufactured by our body, and nine that need to be supplied by the diet. These nine AA, called essential AA can be found in animal derived food (meat, dairy, eggs), which are termed as complete proteins. Vegetable derived proteins are incomplete protein, as individually, they do not offer all the nine essential AA. However if grains (rice, wheat, oats.. pastas..) are consumed together with beans and nuts (soy, white, red beans... cashew, almond, walnuts...), all the nine essential AA will be provided.

Carbohydrates, the main source of fuel for the body are all provided by vegetables in the form of diverse grains, rice, wheat, corn, oat...

Fats, required in the synthesis of certain hormones and in carrying certain vitamins come from animal fats and vegetable oils. Vegetable oils, especially olive oil are generally healthier than animal fats.

Moreover, plants and fruits offer sufficient amounts or more of calcium, potassium, iron, fiber...Vitamins are well supplied except vitamin B12 which is now supplemented in fortified cereals.

In brief, the vegetarian lifestyle offers abundant nutrients, supplies sufficient calories, while enhancing health, environment, emotional, spiritual benefits. We suggest to embrace as much as possible a plant-based diet.

Chapter Five

CAODAI ORGANIZATION

CaoDai is managed by two powers: 

A. The spiritual power: seated at the Bát Quái Đài (Octagonal Palace) headed by God who gives orders and messages to the earth via mediums.

B. The earthly power: consisting of the Cửu Trùng Đài (Nine Sphere Palace) or the executive body headed by the Giáo Tông (Pope) and the Hiệp Thiên Đài (Heavenly Union Palace) or the legislative body headed by the Hộ Pháp (Dharma Protector).

The three structures denote the three components of our constitution:

• physical with the Nine Sphere Palace,

• mind with the Heavenly Union Palace which bridges the physical and the spiritual realm.

• Spirit with the Octagonal Palace reigned by God.

This organization promotes democratic values as the branches offer mutual check and balance.

Chapter Six

THE ROLE OF FEMININE IN CAODAI

The Mother Goddess

After God created the Yang Positive (male) Light and the Yin Negative (female) Light. God governed the Yang and entrusted the Yin to the Mother Goddess.

Mother Goddess combines the Positive Light and the Negative Light to create the visible, physical and mind aspects of all in the universe. Father God grants the invisible pure spirit to all.

Mother Goddess nurtures, educates and brings the children back to their divine source. She is assisted by nine Muses. She is always present in the guidance of her children during their earthly cultivation to find and return to their sublime origin. She constantly reminds them to rein their secular wants and adverse emotions.

In the Mother Goddess temple, all children wear white and are equal to the Mother's eye.

Mother Goddess and her nine Muses are celebrated each lunar year on the 15th day of the 8th month at the Hội Yến Diêu Trì in Tayninh. At this celebration, all sisters tried their best to create superb flowers, fruits, vegetarian foods offerings.

Followed is a message from the Mother Goddess received in Cholon, VietNam on 5/2/1965: "Children, look around you... Alas, multitude of misery, multitude of people in solitude, suffering from the cold, the hunger, at this or that corner of town, with no home, lacking of clothing, lacking of care and comfort. They are waiting for your loving hands, your kind words. This task asks for a formidable amount of energy and resources. One of you cannot respond to this demand, it needs all of you to cooperate. This is why I come to you today to bring some warmth to you, who have been lost in the coldness of time, and to show you the way of service, that each one of you has a responsibility for. Many of you who are enlightened early in your life, realize where the truth is, where the error, where is love and righteousness, where is lure, where is the ephemeral glory and not the true happiness. Children, look at all what you are enjoying, where is happiness? Happiness does not come granted from Thầy Mẹ (God and Goddess), does not reside in magnificent houses. pillows of silver or bed of ivory, but is what you receive in your heart when you do service to others: joy, satisfaction, light feelings. Spend your time to provide to all people, to all communities emotional support, food, clothing, shelters, schools, hospitals... This constitutes happiness for them and for you, a happiness that cannot be robbed by robbers, cannot be destroyed by flames or flood. If you do not see the origin of this happiness, you will always live in the impermanency of this deceitful world and in the endless reincarnation..." (The Heart of the Gentle Loving Mother 1965-1969 from Cơ Quan Phổ Thông Giáo Lý p. 8-9, translated by Hong Dang Bui, MD.)

Besides practicing service to others, Mother Goddess recommended several tips for self-improvement:

• Try to control human emotions of desire, anger, jealousy, hatred, fear…

• Do small things to become great.

• Fight laziness

• Be aware that we tend to embellish our physical outer appearances and forget to improve our virtues which are the spiritual beauty inside ourselves.

• Be aware that human emotions bury our good nature.

• Turning to inside, shedding away the outer layer of impurity to discover the gem deep in ourselves.

The Female College in the Clergy

Right at the beginning of CaoDai, the Supreme Being gave this following message to female disciples:

"Lady Duong, I, your Master, assign you to establish the female College. Your gender alone does not condemn you to the kitchen. At this 3rd salvation, there will be much hard work for everyone. Male and female are of equal number. Not only males work to become Immortals and Buddhas. As I have said, at the Bạch Ngọc Kinh (White Jade Palace), there are both male and female, and frequently, females are predominant. So follow My order to establish the female college. Listen and obey! I will always be with you. Don't worry."

(Collection of Selected CaoDai Holy Messages, CreateSpace 2015, translated by Hum Dac Bui, MD and Hong Dang Bui, MD, p. 55)

At that time, women had very limited role in the community, had only responsibility in their own family, and most of the time had to follow all the orders of their husband. And yet the Divine ordered the establishment of the feminine college. About the power of the female college, the spiritual Giáo Tông said: “The dignitaries, male or female of the same level in the hierarchy hold the same power. The Giáo Hữu (priests) of the male college are placed under the order of the Giáo Sư (bishops) of the female college. The Giáo Sư of the male college must obey to the Phối Sư (archbishops) of the female college. Equality is for everyone, however, the powers differ according to the grades in the Sacerdotal Council.”

(The Religious Constitution of CaoDaism, translated by Hum Dac Bui, MD, 1992, p. 100).

So, in the female college, the hierarchy includes Giáo Hữu (priest), Giáo Sư (bishop), Phối Sư (archbishop), and Đầu Sư (cardinal). However, the female Đầu Sư is under the order of the Chưởng Pháp (legist-cardinal) and Giáo Tông (Pope), the two highest dignitaries exclusive for males. There is no female Chưởng Pháp and Giáo Tông.

The woman is well respected among CaoDai families. She holds the role in the stabilization of the family, participates in the education of the children in giving a role model as she is proud to perform her feminine duties.

The woman is also encouraged to participate in the clergy and to hold all the duties in local temple.

Chapter Seven

CAODAI HOLY SEE

CaoDai Holy See was constructed without any architectural engineering, by the hands of volunteers under the instruction of the spiritual Giáo Tông Lý Thái Bạch transmitted to the Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc. It includes architectural styles of many religions. The two front towers are of Christianity style, the dome shape on top of the main body has the Islamic style, and the octagonal structure has Buddhist style with the three ancient Hindu Buddhas on top.

The Holy See represents the three gems of the universe which are Heaven, Earth, and Human corresponding also to the three gems of humans: spirit, physical body and mind. The three gems reflecting the structure of CaoDai consist of the Bát Quái Đài (spiritual body), Cửu Trùng Đài (executive body) and Hiệp Thiên Đài (legislative body). They also represent the stages of CaoDai meditation, which allows transforming the physical Chi (physical energy) to vital Chi (emotion) and then to spiritual Chi that leads to enlightenment or unification with the divine.

CaoDai Holy See in Tayninh Vietnam

Chapter Eight

CAODAI ACTIVITIES

CaoDai practice consists of simultaneous exoteric and esoteric cultivations or Phước Huệ Song Tu. Exoteric practice is held on Sundays and on the 1^st and 15^th days of each lunar month in all temples outside of Vietnam. Exoteric and esoteric practices are offered at the CaoDai Center in Anaheim, California with regular worshipping in the temple and with the “Journey to Bliss” session in the meditation hall.

The “Journey to Bliss” gathers people regardless of denominations background to discuss and to share personal experiences on life issues. This is a way of self improvement with continuous effort in controlling our bad emotions (greed, anger, desire, jealousy, hatred) while cultivating the virtues of kindness, compassion, altruism, selflessness, generosity, perseverance, understanding, love, dealing with people by the Golden Rule.

The discussion is followed by meditation that brings us to another dimension. It is to return to the inner self after quieting down all emotions, all secular activities or attachments, calming down the egoistic self so as to bring forward the true self, genuinely good and pure. It is a devotional act to find the Divine Essence in ourselves.

CaoDaists co-operate with other faiths in various services to the communities.

SUMMARY

THE THREE PILLARS OF CAODAI

CaoDai principle and practice can be summarized in the following three pillars:

1- Oneness of all in the universe and the cosmic principle

2- Observation of love and justice

3- Practice the Triple-fold Path of service, self-cultivation and turning to the inner-self.

CaoDai invites all, faith and non-faith alike to attain peace and enlightenment.

OTHER READINGS

CaoDai, Faith of Unity, Hum Dac Bui, MD with Ngasha Beck, Emerald Wave 2000

CaoDai, Faith of Unity – Parent and Child Book. Hum Dac Bui, MD, Hong Dang Bui, MD, AuthorHouse, 2015

Collection of Selected CaoDai Holy Messages, Hum Dac Bui, MD, Hong Dang Bui, MD, Translation, CreateSpace, 2015

CaoDai Great Way, The Grand Cycle of Esoteric Teaching, Anh-Tuyet Tran, PhD, Translation, CreateSpace, 2015

CHAPTER 5 - HIGH SCHOOL CAODAI PROJECT

By P.A.

Answers from Hong dang bui, M.D.

12/9/20

1. Where, what is the name of the place they worship?

CaoDai’s Holy See is a marvelous architecture in TayNinh, Vietnam, constructed from 1936 to 1948. It was built by volunteers, under the guidance of Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc, who received spiritual instructions from the Spiritual Pope Lý Thái Bạch. So, there was no architectural engineering.

The Holy See displays architectural styles from many religions, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism. So, already in the 1930s, CaoDai honored pluralism.

Followers do their worshipping at their home altar, or at the local Thánh Thất (Holy House).

2. How long have they practiced that religion?

The first disciple, Mr Ngô Văn Chiêu, received messages from God CaoDai in 1921. CaoDai Faith was officially announced in 1926. Therefore, the religion has been practiced around 100 years.

3. What do they like the most about the religion?

The religion is inclusive, open to all, respects all religious traditions, which all spring from one same Divine source.

It offers an exoteric practice and an esoteric practice. With exoterism, the disciple goes to church services, chant prayers. With esoterism they meditate, either alone or in groups. IT is suggested to practice both exoterism and esoterism.

Both observe the five precepts: Do not kill, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not get drunk or high on drugs,

Do not sin by words. Disciples also observe the four great rules: Obedience, modesty, honesty, respect.

They are encouraged to be vegetarian, at least 6 then 10 days a month. Meditators in the esoteric branch are fully vegetarian.

They all do service to humanity.

The religion helps to attain Peace in the secular life, and ultimately Enlightenment.

4. Let them talk about why someone would want to convert to that religion.

Inclusivity and practicability are the hallmarks of CaoDai.

Inclusivity: Being CaoDai, you are in harmony with all religions, as all religions come from one same divine source and teach Love and Justice.

Practicability: CaoDai offers the Triple Fold Path, which can be embraced by all:

• Service to all in the Universe. Service is the key to happiness

- Self-Cultivation (self-improvement)

- Turn to Inner-Self (meditation)

The goals are: Peace in this life and Liberation in the after-life

5. - What is something they would want others to know about their religion?

As a practitioner of CaoDai, I personally feel very comfortable to worship God anywhere and anytime; I can do that either in a church, or a synagogue, or a mosque or a temple, or any natural places.

All messengers through times, Moses, King Phuc Hsi, Jesus, LaoTse, Confucius, Mohammed…

are messengers from a common Divine Source.

We are all sisters and brothers of the same spiritual family. Let us love each other and grow together in understanding and in our spiritual yearnings.

The encouragement toward vegetarianism represents one of the basic teachings, and we now know how vegetarianism is healthy for us and for the environment, besides extending our love to animals.

CHAPTER 6 -INTERVIEW FROM A.B.,

UNIVERSITY OF LAVERNE, CA, USA

1/11/2021

I - Please explain your religious beliefs in as much detail as you are comfortable with:

What are some challenges you have experienced in your lifetime within these religious beliefs? (Can be times when your faith has been challenged and how you have dealt with this within your community, or day to day challenges you associate with this belief system or community).

Thank you for the question.

Followed is an account of the CaoDai Faith.

CAODAI

A FAITH OF UNITY

1. What is CaoDai?

CaoDai is a monotheistic religion founded via spiritualism (a way of communication between humans and superior spirits) in Vietnam in 1926. The full name of the religion is Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ (The Third Universal Salvation of The Great Way).

• CaoDai is a faith of unity and inclusion.

• Principle: All religions sprout from one same Divine origin, have common teachings of love and justice and are just diverse beautiful manifestations of the same truth.

• CaoDai unites humanity as we are from the same divine source, reaching out to a common divine destiny.

• “Thầy là các con, các con là Thầy.” I am you, my children; and children, you are me. All in the universe are one with the Cosmic Principle.

2. The Divine Eye:

The Divine Eye represents the Supreme Being as well as the faith.

God's message: The eye, representing God, is the master of the heart; from God, Yin and Yang lights create all; light is spirit; spirit is God.

3. Cosmology

CaoDai the Supreme Being creates Yin and Yang energies and presides the Yang energy. The Diêu Trì Kim Mẫu or Đức Phật Mẫu, the Mother Goddess is the master of the Yin energy. While the Mother creates the visible part of humans from Yin and Yang energies, the Supreme Being grants us the invisible spirit.

IV- History of Religions and Place of CaoDai:

Religions can be grouped in five ways with three revelations:

First Revelation Second Rev.

5000 years ago 2500 years ago

1- Way of humanity King Fu Hsi Confucius

2- Way of local spirits Ancient tribes Jang Taigong

3- Way of Saints Moses (Judaism) Jesus, Mohammad

4- Way of Immortals Thái Thượng Đạo Quân Lao-Tzu (Taoism)

5- Way of Buddhas Hinduism, Dipankara Gautama Buddha

Third Revelation: contemporary, unification of all faiths

• 19^th century ecumenical movements: Theosophy, Unitarian Universalism, Unity Church, New Thought, Baha’i

• International interfaith movements

• 20^th century: Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ, the Third Universal Salvation of the Great Way - CaoDai

V - Goals and Practice

1. Goals:

1. Nhơn Đạo Thái Bình – The Human Tao is peace

2. Thiên Đạo Giải Thoát – The Divine Tao is liberation or enlightenment

CaoDai helps All, faith and non-faith based alike to attain peace and enlightenment with the following practice.

2. Practice:

1. Practice one or/and any of the five ways in the Tao.

CaoDai includes and unifies all five ways, although based on the Eastern faiths of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

2. Love and Justice:

Love is the key to Nirvana

Justice is “don’t do to others what we don’t want others to do to us” or “do to others what we want to be done to us.”

3. The Triple Fold Path – Tam Công

3.1- Công Quả: Service to humanity and to all in the universe

Service can be rendered at three levels: physical, emotional and spiritual.

3.2- Công Trình: Self-cultivation. Taming of emotions, study of scriptures and spiritual texts, enhancement of service to all, application of Love and Justice.

3.3- Công Phu: Turning to Inner Self – Meditation: Each person’s spirit is a spark of the Divine’s Spirit, however, because of our busy daily secular lives, many of us fail to pay attention to the development of our spiritual selves. A person, in concentrating at the third eye center, directs the Chi (energy) flow through the body, harmonizing physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual activities, leading to the status of absolute peace

4- Vegetarianism

CaoDai recommends vegetarian diet as much as possible.

Love and justice constitute an essential teaching in CaoDai.

At the entrance of a CaoDai temple there is a painting of the Three Saints with the words in French "Dieu et Humanité, Amour et Justice,” (God and Humanity, Love and Justice).

The collaboration of the Vietnamese Trạng Trình with French Victor Hugo and Chinese Sun Yat Sen is to show forgiveness and reconciliation. Humanity is to promise with God to abide in Love and Justice.

VI - Organization:

CaoDai is managed by two powers: 

A- The spiritual power: seated at the Bát Quái Đài (Octagonal Palace) headed by God who gives orders and messages to the earth via mediums.

B. The earthly power: consisting of the Cửu Trùng Đài (Nine Sphere Palace) or the executive body headed by the Giáo Tông (Pope) and the Hiệp Thiên Đài (Heavenly Union Palace) or the legislative body headed by the Hộ Pháp (Dharma Protector).

VII - The Feminine Role in CaoDai

A- The Mother Goddess

CaoDai worships both Father God and Mother Goddess. Mother Goddess is responsible for our visible physical part while Father God grants us the invisible spirit.

3. The Female College with female dignitaries in the clergy.

VIII - Summary: The Three Pillars of CaoDai

1. Oneness of all in the universe and the Cosmic Principle

2. - Practice of Love and Justice The mediums should be chosen for their advanced spirit so that the session will be

3. -Practice the Triple Fold Path: Service, Self-cultivation, Turn to Inner Self.

CaoDai invites all, faith and non-faith alike to attain peace and enlightenment.

CaoDai Holy See in Tayninh Vietnam

Some challenges:

1. New system of belief , less than 100 year old.

2. Our inclusiveness is sometimes viewed with skepticism or as a threat to others ( they think we want to dominate).

3. Lack of English writings on the faith. That’s why Hum Dac Bui, MD, and Hong Dang Bui, M.D. offer these English documents.

4 -Moving from VietNam, the diaspora does not have a structured hierarchy. Meanwhile, the faith in VietNam is controlled by the communist government.

5. -CaoDai has an enlightening esoteric approach which needs to be communicated with others, so they are not turned away by the cumbersome rituals of the exoteric practice.

II - Please explain your role within your religious community: 

What are some challenges you face within this role?
What are some of the things you enjoy most about your role

What, if anything, is something you would like to help others understand about your religion?

How, if at all, do you feel that your religious beliefs guide or impact your daily decisions and practices?

I perceive my role as:
- to inform that CaoDai teaches that we all receive a Spark of the Divine Spirit, that we all are spiritual beings, destined to rejoin our Divine Source through cultivation. We are all sisters and brothers of the same Spiritual Family. All religions spring from One same Divine Source.

• to inform of the practicability of practice, a practice that brings Peace in this life and eventual Enlightenment: The Triple Fold Path of

1- Service to humanity and all in the universe

2- Self-cultivation or purification- learning to tame our adverse emotions- cultivate Love and Compassion

3-Turn to Inner-Self with meditation

• to suggest to practice vegetarianism as much as posiible.

The main challenges is to convey a new faith and getting understood.

However, I enjoy being in the front line in giving informations about this inclusive and practical faith.

CaoDai has an exoteric and an esoteric practice: as stated above, the physical cumbersome exoteric practice may be difficult for non-vietnamese persons to embrace. But anyone can practice the Triple Fold Path which is the basis for our evolvement.

Yes, CaoDai helps me to see in all sisters and brothers the face of God- Christ, Buddha, Allah… as we all come from one same Divine Source. As a practitioner of CaoDai, I feel free to enter any church, temple, mosque, synagogue.. to worship God, who is everwhere and anywhere. Spontaneous love and acceptance of all are the highlights.

I invite all spiritual seekers to explore CaoDai.

CHAPTER 7 – QUESTIONS FROM MARIANO FIORENTINO

ARGENTINA, 5/23/2022

Hi Rose!

Good to hear you continue to spread and teach your CaoDai Faith; it is really a great way to understand the creation I think, from an "outside" view. I am Catholic by baptism but always open to learn about different faiths that believe in one unique and universal Creator, so that we all are brothers and sisters in God, no matter the culture/country, race or religion.

8/8 2021, I (Hong) sent to Mariano, and his response.

Course on CaoDai Epi 18-Ch V- On the Path to Light- Practice-Part 6-Purpose and End of Life . Can be accessed on www.caodai.org- Course on CaoDai or with the following link:

https://anchor.fm/caodai/episodes/On-the-Path-to-Light---Practice---Part-6-e13o705

Main link anchor.fm/caodai

Text on caodai.org

Hi Rose!

Really liked this episode and Jason praying!! (Jalen, not Jason).

CHAPTER 8- QUESTIONS FROM JORDAN BENNETT

FROM CULL HOLLOW

MAY 2022

Are there any English translations of Pham Cong Tac’s discourse and Christmas address of 1947 (the documents that directly mention Moses)? Also, how Caodaists view the Bible? Is it considered the authentic word of God, or does it have a different role in the faith? How do Caodaists generally see Moses? Is he considered a prophet, an incarnation, or perhaps a great teacher? 

Thanks again! 

On Wed, May 11, 2022 at 2:20 PM Hong Bui <hongbui24568@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Jordan,

Thank you for your reaching out!

- There is no direct mention about Moses in CaoDai, except in the Dharma Protector Pham Cong Tac’s discourse.

  Caodaists do read about Moses from different sources.

- There is direct alluding to Jesus in the message of Christmas 1925 ( Collection of Selected Holy Messages - translation by Hum Dac Bui, MD and Hong Dang Bui, MD- Create Space 2015; page 24:

“ CaoDai Tien Ong teaching the Great Way for the Southern Quarter.

I have reigned Supreme for millennia.

Those who improve themselves spiritually will receive blessings.

The miraculous Way has been taught and followed throughout the world for millennia .

Rejoice this day, the 24th of December, the anniversary of my arrival in Europe to teach the Way!

Your allegiance brings much joy to Me…”

- Connection to Moses is found in The Five Interdictions (Ngũ Giới Cấm) which correspond to 

the last Commandments: Do not Kill, Do not Steal, Do not commit adultery, Do not get drunk, Do not

sin by Words.

- God CaoDai is The One God for All. In a message of April 7, 1926:

“ Dipankara Buddha is Me,

  Sakya Muni is Me

  Thai Thuong Nguon Thi ( Previous life of Lao Tse) is Me

  Who is CaoDai”

- The Essential Teaching is that We all receive a Spark of the Divine Sacred Light or Spirit

and with cultivation, we’ll unify with God.

- The Teachings form The Dharma Protector Pham Cong Tac readily mentioned about Jesus Christ

and Moses especially in the Christmas address of 1947.

CHAPTER 9 – PROJECT ON SHRINE

K.B., 11/2/23

S.B., 11/13/23

O.W., 11/23/23

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

CAODAI INTERVIEW FOR COLLEGE PROJECT ON SHRINE

1. What is the primary goal for people who believe in CaoDai Faith?

Find peace in this life and liberation in the after- life.

Peace is within and without- Inner peace and peace with others.

Liberation of the Spirit ( commonly known as the Soul), from secular attachments.

2. How is this goal achieved?

This goal is achieved with the practicing of

Tam Cong or Triple fold path of service, self-cultivation and turn to inner self with meditation.

Service is selfless service to all in the Universe. In particular, for the human companion,

Service is rendered at the 3 levels physical, emotional and spiritual.

Physically with food, clothing, shelters.

Emotionally support the person in turmoil..,Offer encouragement, be present to listen to the person’s difficulties and sincerely assisting.

Spiritually sharing the teachings of the Dao or the Way, offer prayers.

(CaoDai Faith is also known as The Third Universal Salvation of the Great Dao).

Self-cultivation is the continuous improvement of our demeanor, emotions, education both in secular matters and spiritual scriptures. It is the perseverance in service and meditation.

Turn to Inner-Self with meditation. Meditation is the food for our mind and spirit.

It reflects on what we encounter in daily life, helps attain wisdom, composure..

3. If applicable, what are the space-like worship occurs?

God is everywhere, anywhere, omnipresent, omniscient.

A space that induces silence of the body and the mind.

Worshipping may occur at home or at a temple called Thanh That or the Holy House.

4. In your opinion how should this space make a believer feels?

Silence, simplicity, respectfulness, inducing the quietness of our emotions, turmoil, worries with its solemnity.

If one understands CaoDai, one should feel comfortable to enter any worship house, the church, the mosque, the synagogue, the temple, or just any space, in the nature for example.

The Divine Eye defines the altar of CaoDai.

A CaoDai worship place definitely needs to display The Divine Eye.

5. What suggestions would you have for the design of such a worship space?

The Holy See of CaoDai in Tay Ninh combines the Towers of Christianity, the Dome of Islam, the Octagonal structures of Buddhism.

One can use smaller scales of that architecture which exist in VietNam.

But the basics are a space that induces peace with The Divine Eye at the center.

Hong Dang Bui, MD (Wednesday, November 2,

CHAPTER 10 - A DISSERTATION ON THE PARALLELISM OF

CAODAI TEACHINGS AND SCIENCE

BY HONG DANG BUI, M.D., 5/24/2024

General knowledge tends to oppose religion and science. In this paper the author describes some major similarities between CaoDai scriptures and Science. These are:

• Parallelism in the Creation of the Universe- Big Bang theory

• Parallelism in Biology (Negative and Positive Elements

• Parallelism in Meditation

• Parallelism in Karma and the Law of Cause and Effect

I - THE ADVENT OF GOD AND CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE-

PARALLELiSM WITH BIG BANG THEORY

1-In Scriptures:

The following message on the coming of God Đức Chí Tôn( Đại Linh Quang or Great Sacred Light-) and the creation of the Universe was received on the 23^rd day of the 9^th month of Bính Tý year 1936 (DTCG , Pp 215-216, Thien Ly Buu Toa 2000)

Note that it mentioned about “an extraordinary detonation”, prior to the Big Bang which was generally known toward 1954.

“Poem

In this immense Universe,

There exist Invisible Worlds full of serene sojourns.

The Creator laid out miraculous laws,

To establish a world of Virtue and Wisdom.

Children! Why is it called VŨ-TRỤ (the Universe)? How do you perceive it?

The entire space forms VŨ (UNI). The extremity of this space is called TRỤ (VERSE). VŨ encompasses the four cardinal points, as well as the upward and downward directions. TRỤ also signifies the past and present. Thus, the term VŨ-TRỤ (UNIVERSE) encompasses both space and time.

Prior to the manifestation of the Supreme Being, that space was an amorphous and infinite nebula, because it was in the Primordial Chaos.

That space is the Non-Being or the Absolute Emptiness. In this Absolute Emptiness is the miraculous PRINCIPLE of the Natural Nature, along with its antagonist twin, the ENERGY of the Adapted (Naturalized) Nature.

Such PRINCIPLE and ENERGY are respectively the Yang and the Yin in the Primordial Chaos. They united and crystallized slowly in infinite time to form a splendid globe of light. At the determined time and date, this massive ball of light exploded with an extraordinary detonation that shook up the space. A Divine Light popped out from this explosion, unceasingly swirling and waltzing in space, projecting around it a dazzling halo whose rays continuingly illuminate the entire Cosmos. That Divine Light is the Supreme Being of the Universe, emerging from the Absolute Emptiness (the Non-Being)

Since then, the Universe has had the Supreme Being, perfectly good, omniscient, omnipotent, immutable, and capable of transforming in infinite forms. The Absolute Master of the Universe sovereigns and commands the Genesis, applying the Yin-Yang mechanism to separate the pure from the impure and condense the Energy of the Primordial Nebula (the Non-Being) to engender all creatures.

That Yin-Yang mechanism functions without respite, without interruption, to assure the life and perpetuity of all beings, and maintain Heaven-Earth.

Scattering in the immense Universe are innumerable spheres: pure and impure, superior and inferior, bright and obscure. Obeying the pre-established order and harmony of the Celestial Mechanism, alLthese spheres move around here and there, ascend and descend continuiously and perpetually.” (Đại Thừa Chơn Gíao, The Grand Cycle of Esoteric Teaching, p243, transl. by Ánh Tuyết Trần, PhD).

2 - In Science: The Big Bang theory.

Georges Lemaitre said in 1921, and again in1932 but received no attention:

The Universe was initially a single particle – the Primeval Atom- which disintegrated in an explosion, giving rise in space and time and the expansion of the Universe that continues to this day. That “Big Bang” theory gained acceptance in 1964, after the discovery of Cosmic Microwaves Background.

We therefore see a parallel with Science’s Big Bang theory, whereby a great detonation occurred with enormous heat, which cooled down, and creation of matter ensued, leading to the material visible world.

II - PARALLELISM WITH BIOLOGY: NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE ELEMENTS

IN THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE

1 -In Scriptures

Scriptures describe that God appeared following the great detonation, holding Negative Light and Positive light. The Negative Light is entrusted to The Divine Mother who combines Negative to Positive Lights or energies and creates Two, then Four, then Eight and all the visible Universe.

This is very similar to scientific biology knowledge whereby, a female gamete with union to a male gamete gives One cell which divides into 2, then 4, 8, and into myriads cells to form a human.

From “CaoDai, a Realizable Path to Light” by Hum Dac Bui, M.D. and Hong Dang Bui, M.D.; p277,

we read the following on the creation of humanity:

“First there existed The One, called "Thái Cực" (Monad), or the Supreme Being. The Monad then divided into Yin and Yang, the dyad of "Âm Quang" (Yin/Shakti/Creative Energy) and "Dương Quang" (Yang/Primordial Energy). The Yin carries adjectives such as heavy, dark, cold, dense, negative, inactive… while the Yang is said to be clear, bright, warm, pure, positive, active...

The Supreme Being is the master of Yang energy, which is the origin of the invisible spiritual element in everything, and the Mother Goddess is the master of Yin energy; Yin being the mother of all visible physical manifestations. The Mother Goddess utilizes Yin and Yang energies to create the heavens and universes.

The Supreme Being is the “Great Sacred Light” - or Energy - and a human being’s spirit is created with a spark of the Great Sacred Light called the “Little Sacred Light” or the soul (also referred to as ‘conscience’ in this book). The level of heaven achieved by a soul depends on the proportion of Yin and Yang forces (energy) in their constitution. Upon reaching a level with more Yang, one would be lighter, brighter, higher, and closer to Godhead/reunion with The Supreme Being. Each level would accommodate correspondingly lighter or denser souls, lighter souls reaching higher dimensions.

Constitution of the human being:

The composition of humans has three parts:

• The visible physical body, created by the Mother Goddess from a combination of negative and positive elements (Yin and Yang energies).

• The mind and emotions, semi-visible, also from Mother Goddess using Yin and Yang elements.

• The spirit, conscience or soul, invisible, the Little Sacred Light emanated by Father God, the Monad, Brahman, the Great Sacred Light.”

2 -In Science:

This is very similar to scientific biology knowledge whereby, a female gamete with union to a male gamete gives One cell which divides into 2, then 4, 8, and into myriad cells to form a human.

III - PARALLELISM WITH MEDITATION

1 -In CaoDai scriptures :

Spiritual benefits and Secular comfort

In the New Religious Codes, one out of the three chapters is devoted to the Cell of Meditation and the conditions to enter to it.

Đại Thừa Chơn Giáo- The Grand Cycle of Esoteric Teaching is a whole fundamental book describing the Esoteric/Meditative Path of

CaoDai. This Path leads to spiritual self-perfection and deliverance.

2 -In Science:

Physical and emotional benefits of Meditation:

- Possible Enhancement of Immunity: reduction of CRP, increase in CD4 T cell count, increase in telomerase activity (Mindfulness Meditation and the Immune System: a Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials – David S. Black and George M. Slavich – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov accessed 11/23/2019)

- Maintenance of Telomeres’ length: The ends of chromosomes, called telomeres shorten at each cell division. When the telomeres disappear (after multiple cells division), cells cease to divide, a process of aging. Meditation, by maintaining the telomeres’ length would slow the aging process. (T.L.Jacobs- UC Davis, CA 2011. Linda E Carlson, PhD et al, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 2015).

- Effects on Functional MRI of the Brain: The brain centers for purpose in life, compassion, optimism, enthusiasm.. are enhanced, while the centers corresponding to worries, anxiety, fear, anger ..decrease. (Sara Lazar, Harvard 2011, Madhav Goyal, John Hopkins 2017, Florian Kurth, UCLA Brain Mapping Center 2011-2014).

- Effects on the Gray Matter and the White Matter of the Brain: slowing of the process of degeneration, decreasing in thickness of the gray matter and the white matter. This implies a longer lasting of cognitive function. (Florian Kurth- 2014).

Three types of Meditation in general: Mindfulness, Compassion and Emptiness Meditation. It has appeared that Emptiness Meditation is the most beneficial.

IV - PARALLELISM IN KARMA AND LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECT

1 -In Religion:
The law of Karma

The law of Karma in Buddhism and CaoDai is the exact equivalent of the law of cause and effect in science. In fact the dictionary defines Karma

“destiny or fate, following as effect from cause.

CaoDai believes in Karma and Reincarnation.

Karma is the law of Justice. We reap what we sow. If we plant good seeds in our garden, we’ll have a good harvest. Thus, kind, compassionate thoughts will enlighten our mind, heart, behavior and lead us to a joyful, happy relationship. Our spirit will be lifted.

As we shed our physical visible body, the lightness of our mind and emotions help our spirit to evolve to lighter dimensions. In this case, we either remain in the Spiritual Realm, or will reincarnate to a higher spiritual life, according to the level of our cultivation/purification.

Spirits that stay in the Spiritual Realm may continue to serve the physical world by sending positive energy to help people in their progress. Or they may choose to reincarnate in the world to serve as

what is called Boddhisatvas in Buddhism (Bồ Tát in Vietnamese), leading a life of sacrifice in the relief of sufferings of humans.

On the contrary, if we lead a wicked life, our next life will be that of misery, of sufferings, of darkness.

In the steps of involvement, the Little Sacred Light granted by God, grows in strength and purity from materials, to plants, to animals, to humans, local spirits, saints, immortals, buddhas. A regression to a hardship human life is the usual if we led a dark life. Regression to animals, plants is possible but unusual. Progression upward comes with sincere service, cultivation and meditation.

To specific questions from M.A.:

“ Forinstance, if I reach a High Light Realm during my life, what will happen in the next life? Do I have to start over to understand how to reach the Light? Or my Inner Spirit conserve a sort of “memory” of pasted lives?”

Answer: No, we don’t have to start all over. We’ll catch on very fast in the understanding of spiritual matters, and our love and compassion come naturally.

“Also, if a person reach the Hell during his lifetime, does he still have the possibility to “escape” from Hell during his next reincarnation?”

Answer: Yes, he can redeem even in his current lifetime or in the next life.

Awakened persons, Boddhisatvas are to help these persons.

Humanity is to all progress toward goodness, some persons faster than others. If we don’t learn well, we’ll learn at next life.

“Similarly, if a person reaches the Heaven (I imagine such a person will not reincarnate again), there could be the risk to lose their permanence in Heaven for some reasons?”

This question is answered in the text above.

Enlightened persons who enter Heaven may

• continue their purification

• send energy to lift life on earth

• choose to reincarnate as Boddhisatvas to actively relieve human sufferings.

• It is said that Gautama Buddha vows not to enter the Nothingness until humanity is saved.

(Hong Dang Bui, M.D.12/31/2020)

2 -In Science:

The Law of Cause and Effect:

Sir Isaac Newton said: “To every action, there is always opposed an equal reaction”. This universal law is apparent in any situation in life,

And backed up by science. If our hand applies a force against an object,

the pressure felt by our hand increases with the strength we applies,

and the effect on the object is similarly proportional to that strength.

There is a consequence for everything. You reap what you sow, whether positive or negative in nature.

There are three Newton laws concerning this cause and effect:

In the first law, an object will not change its motion unless a force acts on it. In the second law, the force on an object is equal to its mass times its acceleration. In the third law, when two objects interact, they apply forces to each other of equal magnitude and opposite direction.

(Newton Laws of Motion- Glen Research Center- NASA- accessed 5/9/24).

From the above, Karma and the Law of Cause and Effect are exactly equivalent, one over our lifetimes, past, present, future and one in our daily life.

V _ THE STUDY OF SCIENCE LEADS TO THE CONCEPT OF AND NEED FOR THE CREATOR/GOD- CONCLUSION.

My personal experience is that of becoming a faithful of spirituality as I studied biology and the conception of the embryo and its evolution to a human being.

Hum, my beloved husband, saw the mysterious intelligent order in the exact movements of the Universe, the orderly rhythm of the seasons, the low and high tides of the ocean without invading the land…

This miraculous development of life cannot happen without an orderly intelligent Supernatural Creator!

The famous scientist Albert Einstein became religious, and a vegetarian after

his scientific discoveries..

“Science without Religion is lame. Religion without Science is blind”- he said.

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science”.

Einstein believed in the interdependence of science and religion. He saw science as a means of uncover the laws of the Universe, as he viewed religion as a way to appreciate and respect those laws as maifestations of a higher order or intelligence.

For Einstein, both realms were necessary to fully grasp and appreciate the mysteries and wonders of existence.

The above paper is written at the inquiries of MA and Carlos Caban and many of our friends. Thank you!

Hong Dang Bui, MD. San Diego, CA, USA -5/24/2024

CHAPTER 11- QUESTIONS FROM D.C.

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS WORLDVIEWS

JUNE 2024

1. Were you born into or did you convert later on?

2. How would you characterize God?

3. Doesn’t the mix of religions cause contradictions between the beliefs of those religions?

4. What do you all believe happens when we die?

5. Do you all believe or recognize sin? 

6. How does one convert to Caodaism?

7. What is your personal favorite spiritual practice within Caodaism?

8. What are your personal goals in the religion?

9. What is a service at the temple like?

10. What challenges you the most about being in this religion?

11. What are the most polarizing topics amongst the religions?

12. How do you address skeptics of the religion? 

13. Have you doubted the reliability of this religion being true?

14. Did you ever look into converting to one of the individual religions that Caodaism makes up (christianity, islam, buddhism etc)

15. Is there anything about it you disagree with? Or use to disagree with?

16. Have you ever had a supernatural experience?

17. Does your religion allow room to believe in aliens or ghosts?

1-Were you born into or did you convert later on?

I was born Buddhist and happily embraced CaoDai as I married my husband, Hum Dac Bui, MD , a Caodaist by birth.

I learned about CaoDai and appreciate its breadth, inclusivity, harmonious,

healing, unifying, generous teachings, as well as its depth for the higher in spiritual searching.

As I learned the CaoDai prayers, I did not have to renounce the Buddhist prayers learned in young age. CaoDai is Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, islam, Taoism..

2-How would you characterize God?

God is One God for All.

In a message of April 7, 1926: “Dipankara Buddha is Me, Sakya Muni is Me. Thai Thuong nguon thi (previous life of Lao Tse ) is Me who is CaoDai

And in the message of Christmas 1925: “Rejoice this day, the 24^th of December, the anniversary of my arrival in Europe, to teach the Way…”

So, God is Buddha, God is Lao Tse, God is Jesus.

God is viewed as a benevolent, loving, supporting Father, but also firm and just.

God said: “I am you, My children; and children you are Me”( We are granted a spark of the Divine Sacred Spirit, and can cultivate ourselves to join God).

“ It is certainly mysterious and miraculous that God and Man are One”

But God also says: “ Child, if you don’t choose to walk, I will not carry you..”

So God is present for you, but there is also you, your will in your learning and improvement toward love and perfection to join the higher Spiritual realm.

3-Doesn’t the mix of religions cause contradictions between the beliefs of those religions?

No, If you understand that

• All religions come from One same Divine Source

• All religions teach Love and Justice.

Love is the spontaneous love for All.

Justice is not to do to others what you don’t want done to yourself.

• All receive a Spark of The Divine Spirit and destined to join the Divine with assiduous cultivation. We are spiritual sisters and brothers and that kinship extends to our secular life.

4-What do you all believe happens when we die?

CaoDai believes that we are a Tripartite body:
- With a visible, physical, anatomical body (the First body)

-The semi-visible mind and emotions also known as the Peri-Spirit (the Second body)

-The invisible Spirit, a spark of God’s Spirit (the Third body).

The physical body is a vessel which helps us to learn, improve, become purer, lighter.

It carries the Second and Third bodies as we progress through life.

It will decay when we die.

If we purify well during life, the mind and emotions of the Second body are light, loving,

will join and ascend with the Spirit (Third body) to higher realms. There, they will continue to evolve or they can choose to reincarnate to help the living beings.

If the purification is not sufficient, the Second body will reincarnate to continue to learn.

5-Do you all believe or recognize sin?

If “sin” means wrong-doing, wicked, cruel, destructive behavior, then yes.

6-How does one convert to Caodaism?

There is an “Initiation or Gateway Ceremony”, in which the believer is introduced by two Caodaist practitioners, prayers offered and the new adept pledges alliance.

A priest showers the disciple with holy water.

This is a desirable significant milestone in our life.

However Hum and I do not think the ceremony is absolutely mandatory, for you to pray to God. Imagine the soldier in a battlefield, scared for his life. He should just pray to

God, no ceremony could be offered to him in a battlefield.

If you understand CaoDai teachings and way of life, you may practice.

God is everywhere, anywhere, anytime for you.

7-What is your personal favorite spiritual practice within Caodaism?

CaoDai has 2 main practices:
- Exoteric practice, going to temple, perform prayers every week and especially on the 1^st and 15^th days of lunar month. Or perform prayers at home, traditionally 4 times a day, 6am, 12pm, 6pm, 12am.

-Esoteric practice with Meditation/ Turning to Inner-self. It is recommended to also meditate 4 times a day as above.

I personally do both exoteric and esoteric practices known as Phứơc Huệ Song Tu

(concurrent service and enlightenment). I pray the Secular Prayers and meditate both.

I appreciate the Plant-based diet.

I do not have to give up my background of Buddhism and I can learn freely about all religions.

8-What are your personal goals in the religion?

I would like to share:
- the Inclusivity, the breadth, the flexibility, the compatibility , the tolerance of CaoDai,

-the Truth that believes that there is One God Creator for All,

the teaching of Love and Justic

-the fact that you can communicate directly with God without an intermediary

-the practice of a plant-based diet.

9. -What is a service at the temple like?

We chant the prayers together for 30 min, on regular services and longer on the 1^st and 15^th days of the lunar month. Prayers are addressed to God, to Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, although Scriptures main teaching is to return to the original three religions ( meaning Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism ) and Unite all Five Ways

( Way of Humanity, Way of Local Spirits, Way of Saints with Abrahamic religions and Jesus, Way of Immortals, Way of Buddhas).

Follows is study from the scriptures.

Then we all have a Plant-based lunch together. Prayers are chanted before and after eating.

PRAYER BEFORE EATING

Foremost to the multitude of living beings,

To eat is the most necessary of things.

Cereals, the Creator has brought to this need,

And give to His children upon which to feed.

Our deep thanks go to Sen Nong King

Who taught in the ways of plants' upbringing.

Gratefully I vow to borrow this body of man

In use for the quest of the Eternal land.

PRAYER AFTER MEAL

Each time I partake of Your bounty,

I bear gratitude to those who toil

To bring rice to my table and bread to my lips.

By their leave do I take my own talents

Out into the world to share.

I pray for good physical health

In order to help change the world

According to the divine law

And convey divine love to all beings.

The Prayers Before and After Meals clearly convey these messages:

• Recommendation for a Plant-based diet

• We are to use our body of man to reach the Eternal land (spiritual).

• We are to serve Humanity and the Universe.

10-What challenges you the most about being in this religion?

When I first immigrated to the US, CaoDai is an unknown term.

But now, we are well accepted in Interfaith circles.

And Hum Dac Bui, MD my husband who has passed and myself have published many books on CaoDai.

We feel fortunate as a Caodaist, we can relate to all religions and God is everywhere,

and we can enter any house of worship, whether a church, a mosque, a synagogue..

The fact that CaoDai received Messages from Divinities by Spiritism constitutes a topic for discussion and belief. Sceptics question the validity of Spiritism. But strict rules in receiving and interpreting the Holy messages apply (please see Foreword).

11- -What are the most polarizing topics amongst the religions?

Believing that one’s religion is the only true one.

The solution would be an open mind, studying different teachings to realize the commonality.

12 - How do you address skeptics of the religion?

• Do not antagonize

• Use understanding, love, compassion, inclusivity.

• Use common teachings of religions, Love and Justice.

• Explain that WE All receive a Spark of the Divine Spirit and are destined to join the higher spiritual realm with our cultivation

13 Have you doubted the reliability of this religion being true?

No.

See answers for question 8 and 12.

14. - Did you ever look into converting to one of the individual religions that Caodaism makes up (christianity, islam, buddhism etc)

No.

CaoDai tolerates all and we are encouraged to study diverse scriptures.

14. Is there anything about it you disagree with? Or use to disagree with

The oath for conversion appeared harsh. But as Hum explained it, “ Having second thought just means Not following the Way of God”, which means following evil. As CaoDai explains that God is the Founder of All Religions, then the oath is acceptable. You may practice any or the combination of the Five Ways of the Dao which are:

1-The Way of Humanity represented by Confucianism : Fulfillment of secular life in family and community. Observe The Golden Rule.

2-The Way of Local Spirits, worshipping wise Spirits in the community

3-The Way of Saints represented by the Abrahamic religions teachingService and Sacrifice

4-The Way of Immortals with Taoism, respecting the Natural Order, using Meditation

5-The Way of Buddhas controlling, eradicating human emotions, detachment from earthly binds, using Meditation

14. - Have you ever had a supernatural experience?

Yes.

As we were driving on the freeway, as I looked to the passing trees and buildings, I felt they are alive, sending waves of energy to me, I felt being One with All surrounding me.

The experience repeated when I meditated with friends, seeing the prints on the cloth covering the table where we have the light as a focus, coming to life, dancing when I was deep in ectasy

14. - Does your religion allow room to believe in aliens or ghosts?

Yes.

As there are communications in Spiritism with higher Spirits, we believe that

there are lost, wandering spirits. Therefore, seances of spiritism are very seriously

conducted with persons who are vegetarians, devoted to the Dao, faithful.

Hum and I extend our invitation to all spirits who are wandering, to join us in cultivation

CHAPTER 12 – QUESTION FROM ANETA MANSANOVA

THE CZECH REPUBLIC

6/29/2024

Dear Cao Dai community,

I'm a university student who is currently working on a research paper about Caodaism. The research is mostly focused on geographical differences, but I'd love to learn more about Caodaism in general. Would it be possible to get in touch with someone who would be willing to talk about Cao Dai and share some info about it?

Thanks in advance for your response.

With kind regards,

Aneta Manasova

Thank you for your response, I really appreciate the opportunity.

I've already contacted Canh Tran, who also agreed to help me out, but I welcome a broader number of people to discuss with.

The goal of my research is to study the fundamentals of Caodaism and find out whether there are any differences depending on the area (differences in liturgy, etc.). Even if there are very few differences, if any at all, my work is supposed to include this aspect. I'm basically trying to find out more about a typical day of a Caodaist, what are the habits, what days of the year are important for you and why, your overall beliefs, your relationship with other religions, architecture and history of Caodaism. My research is divided into several parts, this being the first one, which is focused on geography, diaspora and missionary activity. I am open to explore other topics as well, as I find Caodaism very interesting and I would like to find out more for my own self-growth. I'm located in Czech Republic, central Europe and I am a student of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. If my research is succesful, I'd like to expand it in the future in collaboration with the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in Prague. I'll be happy for sources to study from, as well as direct answers to some of my questions.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Aneta Manasova

Response from Hong Dang Bui, M.D.

Dear Anette,

1. There are 2 main practices:
   1-1 CaoDai Pho Do , the Exoteric practice with Rituals and Prayers.

Ideally performed 4 times a day 6am, 12pm, 6pm, 12am ,can be at home

2 major ceremonies on the 1^st and 15^th of all the lunar months

Here there may be minor differences between the congregations around Tay Ninh and the Center of VN.

1-2 CaoDai Chieu Minh, the Esoteric Practice, with Meditation

2. With the exodus of Vietnamese people following the Fall of VN to Communism, CD is spreaded all over the world. Each group tried to set up a worship place as their means allow.

3. I am attaching here a series of Questions and Answers from and to various seekers.

 

Best Wishes,

Rose Hong Dang Bui, MD

CHAPTER 13 - SPIRITISM

QUESTION FROM RICHARD C.

UNIVERSITY OF WALES

8/25/2024

Hello Dr Rose,

Thank you for writing. I hope you are well. You may be interested to know that I am flying to Saigon in December to look for work. I am very excited about it.

Thank you also for the interview that you talk about. Yes I’d love to see it.

I remember that you had been talking about writing a book based on the Q&As that you’ve done with other people. If you haven’t published yet, it might be interesting to include a part on the seance rituals that serve as the foundation of Cao Dai. Many religions strictly forbid such practices as they see it as a passageway for demons so it would be worth spending some time on discussing on how it became not only an acceptable part of Cao Dai, but also a cornerstone of the religion’s development. Does Cao Dai explain how its founders were aware that this was indeed God with whom they were communicating?

Hope to hear from you soon. Best Always,

Richard 

Our friend Richard Cezar is absolutely right in his request for an account.

of the seances rituals that serve as the foundation of CaoDai. Therefore,

I respectfully submit these informations on CaoDai Spiritism.

Three main sections of discussion will be presented:

• Spiritism and Spiritualism

• Spiritism in history, will be referred to “CaoDai, a Realizable Path to Light” by Bui and Bui – KDP, 2023, pp 177-184

• Spiritism in CaoDai

The first messages

The founding of the faith

History for the use of the Divine Eye

The instructions from the Divine regarding the use of Spiritism

The spread of the faith

I - Spiritism and Spiritualism

Spiritism and spiritualism are often used intercgangeably, but there are some differences:

Spiritist believe that spirits of the dead can communicate with the living, the ability to connect directly with God. They also believe in reincarnation

Spiritualism, besides believing in the communication of the spirits of the dead to the living, is a philosophical doctrine emphasizing that spirits/souls exist. In fact, for spiritualists, the ultimate reality is spirit or mind, spiritual concerns are more important than worldly affairs.

II - Spiritism in history:

Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Joan of Arc, Joseph Smith,

Alan Kardech, Victor Hugo, Nao Deguchi, Edgar Cayce… reported to have heard from the spirit realms. Please refer to “CaoDai, a Realizable Path to Light” by Bui and Bui -KDP, 2023, pp177-184.

III - Spiritism in CaoDai

Since antiquity, man felt and believed in the existence of soul/spirit.

In VietNam, children venerated deceased ancestors and wise spirits.

The invisible world has always fascinated us and from there gave incentives of communication with spirits. From there is born Spiritism

III-1-The Very First Attempts

• Friday 7/24/1925:

Cao Quynh Cu, Pham Cong Tac, Cao Hoai Sang, Cao Quynh Dieu

From Saigon, sat in front of a table with 3 legs, following Western spiritual session. They concentrated with their hands on the table.

Some time later, the table moved back and forth, but no communication could be noted. They decided to retire.

• Saturday 7/25/1925

The four friends repeated the session. Not too long after their concentration, the table started to move and gave tappings, from which 3 words can be recognized: CAO QUYNH LUONG.

This is the name of the deceased son of Cao Quynh Dieu. Mr Dieu asked Luong to invite grandfather. Sure enough, Mr CAO QUYNH TUAN came

after a while and gave a poem.

• 7/30/1925

The table moves graciously. A female spirit came gave the name of

Đoàn Nfọc Quế, with real name Vuong Thi Lễ. She later announces that she is The 7^th fairy of the 9 fairies assisting the Divine Mother

III – 2 - Appearance of Spirit AĂÂ, Hội Yến Diêu Trì

• 8/28/1925, 9/25/1925

A Spirit who announced Himself as AĂÂ appeared and advised the Trio

Cư, Tắc, Sang to prepare a banquet for the Divine Mother and her fairies

called Hội Yến Diêu Tri.

III – 3 - Appearance of God Đức Chí Tôn

• 12/12/1925 Divine Mother instruct to the Trio to “Vong Thien Cau Dao” orto pray for the advent of the Dao on the 1-11-At Suu (12/16/1925)

• 4/11 At Suu or 12/19/1925

Spirit AĂÂ announced in a poem of their “Encounter with CaoDai Faith”

• Christmas 1925 (12/24/1925

Spirit AĂÂ announced that He is God, “The Teacher and Father of All”

• Followed is a message from God instructing on how to receive His

Teachings with Spiritism and Automatic writing:

January 3 1926:

JADE EMPEROR, OR CAODAI TIEN ONG DAI BO TAT MA HA TAT, TEACHING THE GREAT WAY FOR THE SOUTHERN QUARTER:

SPIRITISM OR AUTOMATIC WRITING.

In spiritism, the medium must meditate deeply so that his spirit will then be able to come to Me, listen to My instructions, and have his body to write down the messages.

What is a spirit?

The spirit is your second body. It is very difficult for the spirit of a human being to transcend the physical body. The spirits of Saints, Immortals, and Buddhas are very marvelous and immortal. The spirit of an enlightened person may transcend the body and even travel the universe. Only the spirit may approach Me. When the basket with beak is used in spiritism, if the person is unconscious, the spirit may then leave the physical body, hear My instructions, and have the body transcribe the messages.

If the interpreter’s reading is incorrect, the medium's spirit will not agree with the interpretation. They will be obliged to write again. In the other form of spiritual contact known as automatic writing, or inspired writing, I will come to you and make your spirit unstable for a while. During that time, your spirit will be able to listen to Me. Your hand will obey and write. In this form of spiritual contact, I cooperate with

you so that you can reach Universal Truths.

Before the session, one must purify both mind and body-do not omit this purification

fruitful. They should practice vegetarianism,and train themselves toward being completely balanced (as good as Saints, Immortals, and Buddhas) to be able to properly achieve the purpose of the session and transmit the teachings.

They are considered My assistants in the propagation of the Way. Spiritual contact cannot be taken lightly. In the reception of vibrations from the spirit, each person has personal vibrations which may be influenced by their own emotions and personality and may interfere: subsequently these writings may not be correct. One should take caution or you risk failure. To practice well, one should keep one's mind pure, not in setting up sessions and in recognizing the authenticity of the writings.

So, after each spiritism session, you have to wait for My approval before any implementation.

III – 4 - Four main Scriptures Texts resulted from the Seances:

• Book of Celestial and Secular Prayers

• The Collection of Selected CaoDai Holy Messages

• The New Religious Codes

• CaoDai Great Way - The Grand Cycle of Esoteric Teaching.

Followed are excerpts from each of the above books to attest for the incomparable depth of the messages, the high literary style, the authenticity of transmission.

III-4- 1- From the Book of Celestial and Secular Prayers

(Translation from Kinh Thiên Đạo và Thế Đạo by Bui and Bui and Ngasha Beck Huy ).

INCENSE OFFERING (NIỆM HƯƠNG)

The basis of the Tao is SINCERITY and FAITH.

As the scented cinder smolders into flame,

And the winding wisp ascends into the sky

The wafting scent of heaven stirs my mind.

To the Superior Spirits, I respectfully pray:

May this gesture sway Their Eminence to stay

If but a moment, should they deign to pass this way.

And at present, as a disciple, I entreat

The Sky above and Earth beneath my feet.

May my heart immersed in hope be recognized

As that pure space of spirit highly prized.

May blessings rain on us a shower of love

As they make their calm descent from Up Above.

Prostration three times, nodding four times per each prostration, and praying “Nam Mô Cao Đài Tiên Ông Đại Bồ Tát Ma Ha Tát” with each nodding.

PRELUDE (OPENING PRAYER) (KHAI KINH)

An ocean of suffering floods the horizon

Whence beams yet the sun

But thankfully, Lao Tse guides us

in service to humanity,

As the three great religions have also taught

Mainly to be benevolent of both character and deed.

From Confucius we’ve learned the middle way

From The Buddha we've learned compassion;

The Way of Immortals urges us toward spirituality.

From one root spring three counterpart stems.

Once it is well-comprehended,

We shall purify self and pray:

THE FIVE VOWS

We pray that the wisdom of the great Tao

Be widely spread on earth.

Shining the way to all creatures of nature's birth.

May all humanity be redeemed,

And our whole world know peace.

And may the places we meet to worship You

Be granted safety's lease.

Prostration three times, nodding four times per each prostration, and praying “Nam Mô Cao Đài Tiên Ông Đại Bồ Tát Ma Ha Tát” with each nodding.

Followers then stand up, bow three times to the God altar, then turn around to the Hộ Pháp altar to bow one time, and finally step out to their side.

PRAYER BEFORE THE CLASS

Benevolent Father, please open the mind

Of the youngsters to help them to understand

And learn, to search for the good and avoid the bad

Following the sword of wisdom and

Eliminating the cruel karma.

Finding no difficulty in inquiring the saint (holy) way

Following the golden rules, from the young and ignorant to become the old and informed.

Required to love his classmate

Observing love and justice all their life.

Vow to honor the three relationships*,

And the five virtues**.

To keep the piety toward the ancestors,

To love the people while progressing in the way to honor.

Pray that the Superior Spirits to grant us

Enough intelligence to learn literature and courtesy

To reach the Long Vân Assembly (Dragon-Cloud Assembly: examination)

In hope that the wind of Cát Đằng would blow the boat rightly to the destination.

Nam Mô Cao Đài Tiên Ông Đại Bồ Tát Ma Tát.

* Three relationships: King (country) -subject, parent-child, husband-wife.

** Five virtues: benevolence, righteousness, civility, knowledge, loyalty.

III 4 – 2 - From Collection of Selected Holy Messages

( Translation from Thánh Ngôn Hiệp Tuyễn by Bui and Bui ).

• Explanation for The Divine Eye representing God and the CaoDai Faith

The heart manifests at the eye

Presiding everything are two sources of light (Yin and Yang)

Light is Spirit

Spirit is God

Followed is the

HISTORY OF THE FOUNDING OF CAODAI  And OF THE DIVINE EYE

(CaoDai, a Realizable Path to Light by Bui & Bui, pp 190-192)

CaoDai was founded by spiritualism by the Supreme Being with the goal to bring harmony between religions and peace in humanity within and without.

Communication between humans and the spiritual realm has existed since antiquity with subsequent establishment of Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc.

In 1920, Cao Dai, the Supreme Being, revealed Himself to Ngô Văn Chiêu, the then- governor of Phú Quốc, a beautiful island in the Gulf of Siam. Raised in a family with basic Confucian education, Ngô was leading a life of seclusion and wisdom, reciting every day the Minh Thánh Kinh (worshipping Quan Công, Chinese god of war), set of Taoist verses teaching morality. He studied at the French Lycée Chasseloup Laubat, graduated in 1899, and received a position as secretary at the Saigon Immigration Office. In 1909 he passed the civil service examinations and was appointed district chief. Ngô Văn Chiêu first attended séances in 1909 seeking medicine for his ailing mother at a Chinese temple in Thủ Dầu Một. Later, he visited Hiệp Minh Pagoda in Cần Thơ. He received three prescritions for his mother from an Immortal spirit. With the assistance of a spiritualist form of worship, he maintained contact with the spiritual realm. An apparition which identified itself as “Cao Dai” appeared. From the beginning, the name Cao Dai, which literally means high abode, or roofless tower, was given as a symbolic name of the Supreme Being. The Supreme Being informed Ngô that all the world’s religions should return to the One from which they originally sprang. This message was to be delivered to the world. In 1921, Ngô asked Cao Dai for permission to worship Him under a visible form. He then had a vision of the All-Seeing Eye surrounded with radiant beams of sunlight. The light was blinding so he covered his eyes with his hands. The eye remained before him blazing brightly, and terrified him. He prayed to the Immortal to make the eye disappear if the eye was to mean the symbol to be used for worship. It then gradually faded away, but reappeared a few days later with the same brightness. He prayed again and promised to use the Divine Eye as a symbol of God for worship. The eye disappeared again and he was subsequently ordered to use it as the symbol of Cao Dai. Ngô returned to Saigon in 1924. To those interested in spiritual self-cultivation, he taught the philosophy and esoteric practice he had learned from Cao Dai during his stay in Phú Quốc.

Fig.11 The Divine Eye

 In 1925, three Vietnamese workers of the French colonial government began to explore the table tipping which they had learned about in Western spiritual books. They were Cao Quỳnh Cư (1888 – 1929), his nephew Cao Hoài Sang who worked in the custom department, and Phạm Công Tắc (1893 – 1958) who was a clerk of the customs office. Mrs. Cao Quỳnh Cư also participated and had the role of secretary.

On 7 – 25 – 1925, they sat around a four-legged table, their hands resting on its surface, and prayed. When spirits came, the table shook and knocked on the floor. Each successive rap indicated a letter of the Vietnamese alphabet.

In 1926, the group received a spiritual message from CaoDai, the Supreme Being, and was ordered to get in touch with Mr. Ngô Văn Chiêu to found CaoDai faith with the goal to bring harmony to religions and subsequently peace to humanity.

The Supreme Being said: "Formerly, people lacked transportation and therefore did not know each other, I then founded at different epochs and in different areas, five branches of the Great Way: the way of Humanity, the way of Angels, the way of Saints, the way of Immortals, and the way of Buddhas, each based on the customs of the race. In present days, transportation has been improved, and people have come to know each other better. But people do not always live in harmony because of the very multiplicity of those religions. That is why I have decided to unite all those religions into one to return them to primordial unity." (Hum D. Bui, M.D.: CaoDai, Faith of Unity. Emerald Wave. 2000)

• Message from April, 24,1926 from God

JADE EMPEROR or CAO DAI TIEN ONG DAI BO TAT MA HA TAT, TEACHING THE WAY FOR THE SOUTHERN QUARTER.

Formerly, people lacked transportation and therefore did not know each other, I then founded at different epochs and in different areas, five branches of the Great Way: the way of humanity, the way of Angels, the way of Saints, the way of Immortals, and the way of Buddhas, each based on the customs of the race. In present days, transportation has been improved, and people have come to know each other. But people do not always live in harmony because of the very multiplicity of those religions.

That is why I have decided to unite all those religions into one to bring them to the primordial unity. Moreover, the Holy Doctrine has been, through centuries, more and more denatured by the people responsible for spreading it. I am so broken-hearted to see human beings, for the last ten thousand years, have sinned and subsequently suffered life after life in Hell.

I have now firmly resolved to come Myself to save you and not to leave anymore the Holy Doctrine in human hands. You must be well organized to guide and support each other on your way to Nirvana.

• God’s order to establish the Female College

Saturday, July 17, 1926
The 8th of the sixth month of the year of the Yang Fire Tiger

JADE EMPEROR, or CAO DAI TIEN ONG DAI BO TAT MA HA TAT, TEACHING THE GREAT WAY FOR THE SOUTHERN QUARTER.

“Lady Duong, I, your Master, assign you to establish the Female College. Your gender alone does not condemn you to the kitchen.

At this 3rd Universal Salvation, there will be much hard work for everyone. Male and female are of equal number. Not only males work to become Immortals and Buddhas. As I have said, at the Bach Ngoc Kinh (White Pearl Palace), there are both male and female, and frequently, females are predominant.

So, follow My order to establish the Female College. Listen and obey! I will always be with you. Don't worry.

H., I assign you to teach and guide all the females. I will share some responsibility with you. “

This message from God to organize the Female clergy is indeed very significant at that time when female rights have not developed yet. This respect for the feminine gender permeated in the families. When I joined my husband after marriage, in Tayninh, in late 1960’s, to live in his family which included his parents, I happily appreciate the consideration they had for my opinion, for my comfort, for my well-being. It was truly a joy to see how women and men can worship at the temple side by side.

III – 4 -3 – The New Religious codes (Tân Luật)

The New Religious codes spell out the details of the Hierarchy. One whole chapter is reserved to the Cell of Meditation which is reproduced here.

“The cell of Meditation” is a place where the followers are admitted to receive initiation into Esoteric cultivation. Anyone who wants to be admitted into the cell of meditation, must conform to the following rules:

• Article 1:

Has fulfilled the moral duties toward humanity and practiced vegetarian diet for at least 6 months.

• Article 2:

Need to be recommended by a more virtuous member and supported by another follower.

• Article 3:

All written communication with the outside shall be forbidden, except with family, and after screening by the head of the cell.

• Article 4:

The cell should not be frequented by external people, including dignitaries and family.

• Article 5:

Conversation with people from outside is forbidden, except with parents or children with the authorization of the head of the cell.

• Article 6:

Must abstain from chewing betel, smoking tobacco and eating snacks besides meals served by the cell

• Article 7:

Must keep his spirit calm and free from worries. Have good relationship with the cell mates and avoid loud conversation. Help each other in the religious practice.

• Article 8:

Must obey the head of the cell and follow closely the schedule for cultivation.

III – 4 – 4 : from “CaoDai Great Way – The Grand Cycle of Esoteric Teaching

( Translation from Đại Thừa Chơn Gíao by Anh-Tuyet Tran, PhD).

God revealed Himself in the message of the 25^th day of the 9^th month of Binh Ty year (1936):

The 25^th day of the 9^th month of Bính Tý year (1936)

REVELATION OF GOD’S WILL

CAO-DAI FOUNDER

Poem:

The SUPREME DAO has rooted in your deep sincerity, It opens up the Nirvana to the pious, It teaches the Truth and transmits the esoteric method. Practice it with all your heart.

Your MASTER. I greet and exempt you from ceremonials.

Verse:

In the last term of the Universal Cycle, Buddha and Immortals manifest to impart DAO everywhere throughout the world. At the end of the Inferior Era when the Cosmic Revolution returns to its debut, annihilation and calamities are unavoidable. Such tribulation is predestined. Alas! This world is so ignorant! People are not awakened! Morals are corrupt, customs and traditions that constitute the saintly affections are neglected. Why do humans not make any effort in seeking the celestial mechanism through which they can return to the original nature? Why do they keep enduring the endless cycle of reincarnation? I am profoundly annoyed in perceiving such disaster. Thus, in front of the Tribunal of the Three Doctrines, I solemnly swore to impart the miraculous DAO to salvage entire mankind. Should you not self-correct, nor leave the dark paths and return to the radiant one, the DAO would fail and I swear not to get back to my Throne! I teach you till losing my voice, but you do not pay attention, nor open your mind to receive the advices from the MERCIFUL FATHER! I hold the eternal sovereignty to straighten all misshaped; yet, due to Love and Piety, I humble myself to save you. Children! You are like a brood of chicken anxiously chirping in the absence of mother hen, Innumerable horrors and catastrophes occur in this world, as expiation displays in variant forms. Vicissitudes expose under your eyes but you do not awake; the saintly doctrine is imparted but you receive it with indifference; indeed, your impiety deserves severe punishment! It is because I love you, I have to wipe my tears and swallow thousands of prickly disappointments; to initiate the universal salvation, I have to humble Myself and endure all atrocities of this world. As the Grand Amnesty forgives your anterior sins, you should thoroughly purify your soul and apply the saintly remedy to uproot the evils of your flesh and bones. Listen, children! Wake up and cultivate your mind! Practice the DAO to forge your souls, so that I can deliver you from this material world and bring you back to the Nirvana. Serenity in mind progresses the spirit; with such noble natures you can discover the Celestial Mechanism. ……… Those who repent should self-correct so as to hastily return to the divine origin and reunite with GOD, which are the main goal of the wise. In front of you is an inextricable lattice of paths. Select the right one that leads straight to your celestial home, so as not to be trapped in devilish religions. You are imprisoned in multiple compartments of prejudice. These innumerable veils of ignorance prevent you from penetrating the marvelous mechanism of Genesis. Your spirit, enslaved by the seven emotions and the six passions, loses its equilibrium and thus falls into the vicious cycle of reincarnation. Wake up, children! I call you with the most intense voice! I am the SUPREME GOD who abandons My Throne and descends to this world to save you. I do not mind the hard work and can swallow the humiliation, as long as you realize that this world is unreal, illusionary, and perishable; and as long as you diligently follow My instructions to self-cultivate until enlightenment, so as to penetrate the Nirvana. This inferior world is heavily corporal and perishable; it can disappear all at once, like a floating cloud in the sky. Your carnal body is a temporary envelope; it can also disappear like a gown that you take off. Children! Release your body as it causes myriad troubles. Poem: You have been erred in innumerable lives, I am deeply moved in witnessing such miseries; In front of Buddha and Immortals, I solemnly swore, If the DAO fails this time, I will be responsible for it.

The next message I would like to reproduce here shows God’s Love in teaching us how the Dao is in our conscience and encouraging us in Self-Cultivation and progress to perfection.

The 17^th day of the 8^th month of Bính Tý year (1936)

PRINCIPLE OF DAO – METHOD OF SELF-PERFECTION

CAO-DAI FOUNDER

Poem:

CAO-DAI FOUNDER bestows the true constitution, In the presence of the Celestial Congress of Divine Beings; HE elucidates the principle of DAO to revivify human conscience, And advises humans to strictly obey the virtues of Saints and Sages.

Your MASTER. I greet you all.

CAO-DAI FOUNDER

Poem:

CAO-DAI FOUNDER bestows the true constitution, In the presence of the Celestial Congress of Divine Beings; HE elucidates the principle of DAO to revivify human conscience, And advises humans to strictly obey the virtues of Saints and Sages.

Your MASTER. I greet you all.

I myself come to you, my children! To instruct you to live in accord with your divine nature. But you are still passionate in worldly pleasures, Ignoring my advices and accumulating mounts of sins. Long Poem: Listen! Young and old children incarnated in this world! Think over, repent and diligently self-correct; The sins you commit in a day viciously submerge you for months, Children! Extricate them, or you will be condemned! Obey the Celestial Law, you are saved, Violate it, you undoubtedly ruin your soul and body! Inscribe my advice in your heart, Repent and accomplish your spiritual and temporal duties. Even if you amass mounds of treasures, You squander them gradually in your idleness. Everyone has a Spark of Divine Light, It radiates brilliantly if you continuously shine it up. On the other hand, if you nonchalantly perform self-perfection, With your impure soul you hardly forge into Immortals or Buddha. Should you follow the examples of Sages and Saints, I will heart-to-heart transmit the divine mechanism to you. Strictly follow the schedule of your spiritual exercises, Self-perfect and attain Oneness that is the key to sanctify. Eliminate progressively all greed, Such as excessive food, luxurious outfits, or wrongdoings, Also extravagant colors, good-looking forms, attractive flavors, Immeasurable prosperity, and incomparable vanity. Wash off all these devilish surpluses, Put on modest clothes and live in simplicity. As ascetics, unleash yourself from this material world, Practice DAO of God and Buddha to free from ignorance. Recite your rosary of Buddha in serenity, Immerse your soul in Divine Light to wash off impurity. Your soul can be as light as foam or as heavy as lead, Pure and light sublime to Heaven, while impure and heavy sink in abysses. As ascetics, you should accept tribulations, And overcome them with your strong will and great courage. Even if innumerable evils and demons1 hinder your way, Move forward with a strong faith to shy them away. Secure yourself in every single step, Ascetically practice meditation for thirty-six hundred days; Constantly monitor your mind while walking, standing, sitting or resting, You will attain enlightenment by a self-operating divine mechanism. …. Practice and strain your mind to the “ABSOLUTE EMPTINESS”, Faithfully stick to a virtuous life and renounce worldly enjoyment. Once the nine energy centers2 are unblocked, You can force the Celestial Porch to regain the Divine Sojourn. It means you succeed in forging into Immortals or Buddha, And identify to the miraculous Spiritual Nature. Performing esoteric exercises is not easy! Straying from them, you practice your whole life without results. Accomplish your spiritual tasks day and night, Maintain peace and serenity in mind to self-identify to the Nature. Do not give up, despite all the hardships; After myriad reincarnations, it is time to return to the “Vi” arc.3 Be persistent with your self-perfection, The more temptations you resist, the faster you progress. With strong will you develop the DAO within, …. . As ascetics, honestly pay taxes and fulfill all duties, Do not cause distress to your parents. Be not scared of anything, Be a spiritually noble person by always maintaining fraternity. Do not hide yourself in wild mountains, As wrongly indicated in some ancient and contemporary doctrines. Where is DAO? DAO is in your Conscience. Thus, no need to look for it elsewhere. You have a home, but do not consider it yours, You are with your family, but do not tie up with such affections. Other things such as money and estates, …. Extravagant glory and wealth Together they make up excessive amount of properties. Innumerable relatives surround you, …. You should maintain a complete disinterest in them. Neither enslave yourself to sensual love, Nor attach to properties or cherish vain honors and wealth. Being in the mud, you should not be impregnated with its stink. Living in this world, you should not be infected with its perishable characters. …. Achieving such status is really superior To the state of leaving home and abandoning family. Assess simultaneously the Spiritual and Temporal aspects, Accomplish both with your perseverance and forbearance. Fulfill your secular duties, and accomplish your spiritual tasks. Achieving the Man Way, you also succeed in spiritual evolution. Accomplish your duties toward humanity, Serve continuously your society. Your karmic debts are endless, You cannot pay them off even after innumerable life-death cycles. Speaking of “IGNORANCE and AWAKENING”, Try to discern them clearly. The soul is a serene Spark of Light, It is the most miraculous and extremely precious creature. Awakening and Ignorance are opposite like right and left directions, Awakening Soul is pure and calm, benevolent and merciful; Ignoring soul wallows in all wrong aspects, It causes impiety and never denies any corruptions. It indulges in the orgies and debauchery, It is muzzled by glory and locked by profits. It leads humans into the wrong and dark paths, In which their wrongdoings ruin their souls and body. Any time people find something attractive, Their greed rises and their moral senses eclipse; The more their desires blow out, the more the ignoring soul predominates. …. Awakening Soul brings harmony and order, It lights up Wisdom and Virtues all over the world. It aspires toward the practice of Buddha, As well as the examples of Saints and Sages. Possessing the Secret of Immortals, Its benevolence is the ark of salvation. Its loyalty and heroism are incomparable, Its virtues such as compassion and piety are a plus. Never does it care about worldly honor and wealth, Nor does it like uproar, or induce trickery. It is unbiased, not close not far, It is disinterested in worldly honor and wealth. Without discrimination, it likes serving others; Egoism and partiality are nonsense to it. What a pure and radiant soul! It directs humans toward accomplishing their duties. AWAKENING and IGNORANCE coexist in the human soul, AWAKENING aspires toward the good, and IGNORANCE, the bad. The soul is intercalated between these two, Ignoring. the soul tempts it toward the karmic cycle; Awakening, the soul is too weak to resist the temptations, That is why humans have to endure endless reincarnation cycle. Only when the profane nature abdicates, the Divine Nature can emerge. …. Poem: Enjoy the everlasting peace in the Home of Buddha, Play chess of Saints and taste wine of Immortals, Occasionally wander around to view impressive spectacles, Day and night purify your souls so as not to become Mara.4 Mara or Buddha is created by humans for themselves, The pious become Buddha and the rebel, Mara. Stepping in God-Way, you aspire toward the Nirvana, Submitting to human desires, you are entangled in devilish traps.

CHAPTER 14 – ONENESS

CaoDai is a faith of Unity and the principle of Oneness permeates through all the scriptures. We shall address here the two major Oneness that shape our life in harmony and faith. Please refer also to : The Way of CaoDai – For the Rhythm of our Journey- pp35- 93 and CaoDai, a Realizable Path to Light pp 5-28.

1. God and Man are One

The Monistic Theory or Emanation Theory is inherent to CaoDai, which conceives that the world emanates from One Principle, One Essence called by different names: Wu Ji or Tai Ji (Vô Cực or Thái Cực in Vietnamese) in China I-Ching, the Tao in Taoism, Brahman in Hinduism, Sunyata or Taghata in Buddhism, the Ahura Mazda in Zoroastrianism, Jehovah in Judaism, Christ in Christianity, CaoDai in CaoDai Faith. Followed are passages on Oneness in CaoDai scriptures:

“ You are a Spiritual Being on earth,

Sharing with Me My Spiritual Light Essence.

Thua, you are given the key to the Kingdom

So you can be in the mundane place, or in the

Celestial Kingdom at will.” (TGST, 1966-1967, p36)

‘ Man and God are of the same essence; if we persevere in our endeavor,

We can realize our Oneness with God.”

…With only My Spirit, I have created Buddhas, Immortals, Saints, Local Spirits and all human beings in the Universe. Therefore, You are Me, I am you”( Collection of Selected CaoDai Holy Messages, p 58 ).

“This is indeed beautifully mysterious,

God and Man are One in Essence, there is no difference” (DTCG,1984,p65)

"

2. All religions come from One Divine Source

CaoDai is the latest of the three revelations of the Great Dao that have occurred during the course of history, all in the service of salvation.

During the first revelation, approximately five thousand years ago, King Fu-Hsi founded the way of humanity; Moses the Judaic way of saints; Thái Thượng Đạo Quân (an earlier incarnation of LaoTse) the way of immortals; and Nhiên Đăng Cổ Phật (Dipankara Buddha) the way of Buddhas.

During the second revelation, approximately two thousand and five hundred years ago, Confucius and Zoroaster professed the way of humanity with what is now referred to as Confucianism and Zoroastrianism; Khương Thái Công (Jiang Taigong) developed the way of local spirits, or Shintoism; Jesus Christ and Mohammad taught the way of saints in the form of Christianity and Islam, respectively; Lao Tse professed the way of immortals; and Sakya Muni (Gautama Buddha) the way of Buddhas.

In the third revelation, dating in the 1920s when CaoDai was formed, the importance of all five branches was reaffirmed. CaoDai united All Faiths as All originated from One same Divine Source. It promoted the acceptance of all faiths and the flexibility to practice any or all the five ways, recognizing the potential that each individual has for direct communication with God, since each of us has the Divine Essence within ourselves. God will come to each one of us directly to give us guidance as we come into that space of contemplation. Prior to the establishment of CaoDai, according to a divine message, “Local Spirits, Saints, Immortals, Buddhas had come to all countries to prepare the way.”

CHAPTER 15– DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM

We have seen how God ordered to establish the Female College, affirming the respect and consideration for the feminine gender in family and clergy.

No less important, God instructed for CaoDai faith to uphold democracy and freedom:

On the 15^th of the 10^th lunar month of Bính Dần, God granted this couplet;

“ Cao Thựơng Chí Tôn Đại Đạo Hòa Bình Dân Chũ Mục

Đài Tiền Sùng Bái Tam Kỳ Cộng Hữơng Tự Do Quyền”

“ Peace and Democracy from the Great Tao of the Supreme Being

People venerating the Third Salvation and enjoying Freedom”

This couplet is engraved vertically at the Main gate to the Holysee in Tayninh and constitutes awe, inspiration, respect, happiness for the disciples and visitors who read it.

CHAPTER 16– VEGETARIAN AND PLANT-BASED DIETS

INQUIRED BY MANY

Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for

survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.

—Albert Einstein

In the moment that I, Hong, felt connected to the universe, I began to vibrate vividly with the life of all plants—from the grass, to the little wildflowers, to the taller and taller trees. My husband, Hum, and I both sense the invisible energy in plants: how silently and continuously the roots absorb minerals, nitrogen, and water from the soil and pump nutrients up to feed all the leaves that can be dozens of feet higher. And despite natural disasters and the hand of humankind, plants regenerate and strive again. And we admire how tiny plants with tiny vibrant colors strive from a crack in the cement or by the walkway, although usually unnoticed by the passerby. We feel that they are immortal and that the Divine Principle truly exists in them as well as in other living beings. As British author and activist Russell Brand says, “It's difficult to believe in yourself because the idea of self is an artificial construction. You are, in fact, part of the glorious oneness of the universe. Everything beautiful in the world is within you.”

We shall address these aspects of a vegetarian or plant-based diet:

• I - Definitions

• II - Manifestation of Universal love: Views of Diverse Religions

Expression of the Global Ethic of the Parliament of World Religions

• III - Environmental Benefits

• IV -Nutritionally Healthy

I – Definitions

Ovo-Lacto-Vegetarian: This eating style is based on vegetables, grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts, with meat, poultry, fish, and seafood avoided. The culinary choices are enormous, since they include eggs (ovo) and the dairy products of milk and cheese (lacto). Most vegetarian Westerners choose this type of diet.

Lacto-Vegetarian: This diet skips the eggs included in the ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet. One might make this choice for health reasons (less cholesterol); for concern about the horrendous conditions endured by laying hens in factory farms; or for religious considerations, since an egg is a pote

Vegan: this term applies to people who choose to avoid all animal products, including dairy products as well as eggs. Occasionally, some vegans revert to consuming some dairy products to satisfy their need for a variety of taste. The main reason vegans avoid animal products is because they do not want to harm animals. Many vegans avoid using leather shoes, leather belts, leather purses, and coats made of fur and leather for the same reason.

Plant-Based Diet: People in this group eat mostly if not only foods derived from vegetables with minimal or no meat products

II – Manifestation of Universal Love; Expression of the Global Ethic of the Parliament of World Religions; Views of Diverse Religions

Plant-based diets extend Love and Compassion to animals, prevent causing pain and sufferings. Most plants are harvested at the end of their cycle of life. Fruits are harvested without killing the mother tree. Plants usually regenerate after being cut.

As we fast from meat, our mind fasts from harmful thoughts; it becomes kind and compassionate.

Plant- based diets decrease bad Karma

It fulfills the Golden Rule, Peace and Justice of the Global Ethic

Let’s see where different religions stand.

Western Religions:

The Christian Bible: Genesis 1: 28-30 says

“Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it: you are masters of the fish, birds and all animals. And look, I have given you the seeds bearing plants throughout the earth and the fruit trees for your food”

And in Genesis 2: 18–20 we hear: “And the Lord God said, ‘It isn’t good for man to be alone; I will make a companion for him, a helper suited to his needs . . . so the Lord formed from the soil every kind of animal and bird, and brought them to the man.’”

These biblical messages signify that we are given the plants for our food and the animals for our companions.

In Islam

The prophet Mohammad forbade the people to treat animals without compassion or to let them hunger, thirst, or be overburdened. He called for compassion toward animals, but Muslims are not required to be meatless.

Animals killed for their flesh need to be killed quickly, so as not to inflict pain.

In Judaism

Genesis 1:29 in Torah advocates for vegetarianism. However, after the great flood, meat was allowed.

Amirim: is a totally vegetarian village in Israel.

Eastern Religions

Eastern religions include Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, CaoDai.

Plant-based diets are encouraged to:

Respect for all forms of life
Avoid animal suffering & pain
Purify the body, mind & spirit
Avoid bad karma

Jainism: Vegetarianism is mandatory

Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism: Avoid meat, may consume milk

CaoDai

Strongly promoted
Followers start with 6+ days a month, progress to 10 days & to full vegetarianism (mandatory for esoteri both sts)
Plant-based, milk allowed

Regarding eggs, some allow for them, saying that industrial eggs are not fertile and are not precursors of chicks. Vegans avoid both eggs and milk. This is observed by many Caodaists, those who follow the Esoteric path.

III – Environmental benefits

Vegetarianism avoids:

*The harmful demands of raising of animals for meat.

* Cultivating fields of corn and soy to feed animals

* Huge water requirements for them

* Methane effect of their excreta (greenhouse effect).

To provide 1lb of meat compared to 1lb of soy, we need

12 times more land

13 times more fuel

15 times more water

Imagine 65 billion animals needing space to live, food to eat, water to

Drink, and urinating, defecating every day.

Resources for nourishing 1 meat eater can nourish 14 vegans.

In addition, growth hormones, antibiotics used in the raising of animals for

meat carry harm such as creating antibiotics resistant germs.

IV – Health benefits and Nutritional aspects of Veggie Lifestyle

With veggie diet, there is decrease:

-in weight, cholesterolemia, dibetes, high blood pressure

metabolic syndrome

-in risk for certain cancers (colorectal, breast)

We’ll address these nutritional aspects:
-proteins, carbohydrates, fats

-Iron, fiber, vitamins

3. Do veggie diets provide enough proteins?

The answer is yes.

20. mino acids (AA) are needed to make proteins.

10 can be produced by our body

9 AA called Essential AA must be provided by food.

Proteins are called complete proteins if they contain all 9 essential AA.

These are animal derived proteins (meat, fish, eggs, cow’s milk.)

Incomplete proteins contain only a few of the 9 essential AA, but they can

complement each other. These are plants derived proteins That is why beans and legumes should be consumed with grains and nuts.

4. All Carbohydrates are plants derived: grains, pastas, corn, flours. They constitute the main sources of fuel, under the form of glucose, for brain and muscles’ function.

5. Fats have 3 main roles: - synthesis of certain hormones; - storage of energy; -vehicle for fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).

Vegetables oils include olive oil, palm oil, soy bean oil, canola oil, corn oil, peanut oil, coconut oil..

We’ll now address on Iron, Fiber, Vitamins:

6. Iron- Fe

Essential in making hemoglobin of red cells.

Found in beans, green leaves, fruits, cereals with added iron

7. Fiber

All fibers are derived from vegetables.

Helping in moving foods through the gastro-intestinal tract.

Soluble fiber in fruits, insoluble fiber in greens

8. Vitamins

Assist in many functions of our body

Helping vision in dim light: Vitamin A

Helping function of muscles, nerves: Vitamin B1, B6

Making blood: Vitamin B12

Natural defenses, wound healing: Vitamins C, E

Bone health: Vitamin D

Sources of Vitamins:
Vit A in carrots, yellow veggies

Vit B in cereals, meat, eggs, milk, cereals with added B12

Vit C in fruits, greens

Vit D in milk, eggs, meat

Vit E in nuts

In general, a varied foods intake provides necessary vitamins, and

Supplements rarely needed.

9. Caloric content

Calories in common foods

Serving Number of cal

3 oz beef 213 cal

4oz tofu 90 cal

1 hamburger 450-600 cal

1 veggie burger 200 cal

1 slice pepperoni pizza 450 cal

1-large boiled egg 80 cal

½ cup red beans 100 cal

IN SUMMARY

Plant-based diets

Manifest Love and Compassion

Provide physical, emotional, spiritual well-being

Are promoted by all religions

Compassion for animals

Conserve the environment

Are nutritionally healthy.

NOTES

1. http://www.chooseveg.com/environment

2. Simmons, The Happy Vegan

3. “Meat: Making Global Warming Worse” Time, 9/10/2008

4. Vegetarian Time Complete Cookbook-New York: MacMillan

5. “Lifestyle, Diet, Disease, Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, 2017

6. Physicians Committee for responsible Medicine

www.pcrm.org/health/cancer-resources/diet-cancer/facts/meat consumption-and cancer risk

CHAPTER 17 – REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERING ESOTERIC PATH

Vietnamese Writing from Brother TRẦN XUÂN HUY

ĐIỀU KIỆN ĐỂ TU TÂM PHÁP CHIẾU MINH VÔ VI TAM THANH:

Đạo Cao Đài, do chính Đức Ngọc Hoàng Thượng Đế giáng trần dìu dắt giáo hóa khai mở trong thời hạ nguồn nầy. Khoảng cuối năm 1920, Đức Thượng Đế giáng điển giáo hóa và thâu nhận môn đệ đầu tiên ở đảo Phú Quốc là Ngài quan Huyện Ngô văn Chiêu. Chính Đức Ngọc Hoàng Thượng Đế truyền TÂM PHÁP Tam Thanh Vô Vi cho ngài Ngô văn Chiêu, và dạy ngài ẩn tu. Đức Ngô Minh Chiêu tu hành nghiêm mật và đắc Đạo tại thế, có rất nhiều huyền diệu và biết trước ngày vãng sanh. Khi thoát xác triều Thiên, được Thượng Đế sắc phong là Ngôi Hai Giáo Chủ. Đức Ngô Minh Chiêu hiện tại là Ngôi Hai Giáo Chủ phần Vô Vi thời nay. Qua Đàn cơ ngày: 4/8/2018 có đoạn:

Chiếu Minh Thầy đã khai ngôn,

Minh Chiêu chưởng quản Càn Khôn buổi nầy.

Pháp tu Chiếu Minh Vô Vi Tam Thanh là pháp tu giải thoát, hoàn toàn thoát khỏi vòng luân hồi sanh tử ở thế gian, là Pháp đại thừa tuyển độ. Do đó điều kiện tu hành phải nghiêm mật, đòi hỏi hành giả phải có đầy đủ đức tin, buông bỏ danh lợi quyền của thế gian, phải kiên trì công phu hành Pháp lâu dài mới có được thành tựu viên mãn.

Điều kiện quan trọng cho hành giả muốn bước lên tu hành Tâm Pháp Chiếu Minh Vô Vi Tam Thanh trước tiên phải giữ được 2 đại giới đó là: Trường chay và Tiệt dục.

Tại sao 2 đại giới nầy quan trọng:

1-Trường chay: Ăn chay rất quan trọng cho người hành Pháp, vì Pháp Tam Thanh là Pháp lưu thanh khử trược, thanh lọc cơ thể cho trong sạch thanh nhẹ mới có thể câu thông được với khối đại Linh Quang, các Đấng Thiêng Liêng và Thượng Đế. Đức Ngôi Hai Giáo Chủ có dạy: Thanh phù dã vi Thiên, trược ngưng vi địa. Nghĩa là thanh nhẹ thì bay lên trời, trược, nặng nề ngưng tụ lại dưới đất. Ăn chay cũng nói lên tình thương đối với thú cầm, là nguyện thứ nhất trong Ngũ Nguyện, Nhứt bất sát sanh. Trong quyển Tây Du Chơn Giải, bài thứ 16. Đức Chưởng Giáo Bùi Hà Thanh có dạy môn đồ đệ tử như sau: Người ăn mặn luyện đạo cũng tạo được Thánh Thai, nhưng vẫn còn thú tánh. Các con hiểu rằng; Thú mà đắc kim thân thì cũng vẫn là thú, dù tiến hóa thế nào nhưng nguyên cốt cũng vẫn là thú. Dầu được trường sanh bất tử nhưng cũng vẫn là thú, cái kim thân chẳng hề thay đổi đặng.

2-Tiệt dục: Pháp tu Chiếu Minh Tam Thanh Vô Vi là pháp môn bảo Tinh, dưỡng Khí, tồn Thần. Luyện Tinh hóa Khí, luyện Khí hóa Thần, luyện Thần hườn Hư, luyện Hư hườn Vô. Do đó Tinh tối ưu quan trọng trong việc công phu tu luyện Tâm Pháp.

Ngoài ra còn có những điều lệ khác như xin keo, lập sớ trình lên Thầy trong vòng một tháng, nếu hành giả không đủ duyên thì sẽ không đến nhận Pháp v.v…

Tóm lại, hành giả bước lên tu Vô Vi Tâm Pháp là những bậc nguyên căn, tuyển độ, đầy đủ túc duyên, hiểu được trần gian là cõi tạm, là trường học, là nơi tiến hoá lên đến chánh đẳng chánh giác, chỉ có tu hành mới đắc Đạo thành Tiên thành Phật, thoát khỏi vòng luân hồi sanh tử ở thế gian trở về ngôi xưa vị cũ nơi cõi Niết Bàn, Bạch Ngọc Kinh. Hành giả mới có đủ dũng khí, nghị lực bước đi trên con đường độc hành vắng lặng thanh tịnh chơn không.

Giải thích 6 chữ: CHIẾU MINH TAM THANH VÔ VI,

CHIẾU MINH:

Chữ NHỰT+ Chữ NGUYỆT = Chữ MINH. (NHỰT chiếu vào NGUYỆT là MINH)

Chữ NHỰT + Chữ NGUYỆT trên có chữ KHÔNG ( hư không )

Thành chữ CHIẾU

TAM THANH: Thời thượng tổ đã có Tam Thanh,

1. Ngọc Thanh, có Nguyên Thủy Thiên Tôn

2. Thượng Thanh, có Linh Bảo Thiên Tôn

3. Thái Thanh, có Đạo Đức Thiên Tôn, hay Thái Tượng Lão Quân.

Từ Tam Thanh mới có Tam Giáo.

VÔ VI: Vô Vi thuộc phần vô hình, mắt phàm nhìn không thấy, sờ không đụng nhưng có ví dụ như gió, như điện, như sóng âm v.v…

Người phàm tin tưởng có các Đấng vô hình như Thần, Thánh, Tiên, Phật, Thượng Đế, luôn hằng hữu bên ta, thương yêu giúp đỡ giáo hoá cho ta tinh tấn trên con đường đạo đức hướng ta đến hoàn thiện hoàn mỹ để dược trở về ngôi xưa vị cũ.

CHIẾU khắp trần gian mối đạo vàng.

MINH Tâm, Kiến Tánh hiệp Khôn Càn.
TAM Kỳ Thựơng Đế ban siêu Pháp,

THANH lọc thuần dương trở Niết Bàn

English translation by HONG DANG BUI, M.D.

CaoDai faith is granted by God, The Supreme Being for the guidance and education of the devotee in his/her cultivation at this era of decadence.

Around the end of 1920, in the island of Phu Quoc, God manifested, educated and accepted Mr Ngo Van Chieu as the first disciple. God Himself taught the Tâm Pháp Tam Thanh Vô Vi to Chieu and adviced him to cultivate in a secluded manner.

Mr Ngo Minh Chieu set to cultivate seriously, became enlightened, mystic and knew when he would pass.

At the liberation from his earthly body, he ascended to the Divine realm and received te title of Ngôi Hai Giáo Chủ ( The Second Patriarch ).

At present, Mr Ngo Minh Chieu is the Patriarch number 2 for the Esoteric Path. A spiritual séance on 4/8/2018 said:

Your Teacher (God) has established Chiếu Minh,

Minh chiêu is to administer the Univrese

The Dharma of Chiếu Minh Vô Vi Tam Thanh is a liberating Dharma

Leading to cessation of reincarnation. It is a Dharma of Ultimate Liberation. Therefore the requirements in its practice consist of serious commitments, pure faith, total detachment from earthly wealth and honor and perseverance in meditation for successful outcome.

The two major commitments required from the disciple who wishes to embrace the Dharma of Chiếu Minh Vô Vi Tam Thanh are:

-Full vegetarianism

-Abstention from sensual life

Why are these two commitments important?

10. Full Vegetarianism

is essential for the disciple practicing the Dharma because he needs to purify his body, make it light and pure to join the Great Sacred Light.

Of God and the Deities.

The Patriarch Number 2 (Đức Ngôi Hai) said:

Pure will return to Celestial Realms

Impure stays on Earth

which means pure and light will ascend to the sky and impure and

heavy remains on earth.

In addition, vegetarianism expresses love to animals, fulfilling

“Do not kill”, one of the five interdictions.

In the book “Tây Du Chơn Giải” (Journey to the West explained),

Patriarch Bùi Hà Thanh taught that “the meat eater could also create t

the sacred fetus, albeit it retains its animal essence. Animals can attain

the golden body with cultivation, however it remains animal.”

11. Abstention from Sensual Life

The Dharma Chiếu Minh Tam Thanh Vô Vi is a Dharma which

conserves the “Tinh”, support the” Khí”, eternize the “Thần”.

(Tinh Khí Thần correspond to Physical body, Mind, Spirit).

The Tinh is cultivated into the Khí

The Khí into the Thần

The Thần into the Nil

The Nil into the Emptiness

Therefore the Tinh (Physical Body) plays a crucial role in cultivation.

In addition, there are other requirements such as

asking the invisible realm for approval (xin keo)

reporting to the “Teacher” (Thầy or God) in one month.

If the student fails to meet the requirements, then there will be a delay in

his joining the Esoteric Path.

In summary, the disciple who joins the Vô vi Tâm Pháp is a special person selected for his/her purity and faith, who understand that secular life is

temporary and constitutes a school where one can cultivate and progress

to become Immortals and Buddhas, escaping reincarnation on earth, and

returning to his/her original place in Nirvana.

The disciple needs to demonstrate courage, determination, energy to

Journey in the path of silence and emptiness.

Explanation for the 6 words: CHIẾU MINH TAM THANH VÔ VI

CHIẾU MINH: The combination of the words “Nhựt” (Sun) and

“ Nguyệt” (Moon) means “Minh” ( brigthness or intelligence).

Nhựt and Nguyệt with “Không”or Emtiness on top, give Chiếu or Shine.

TAM THANH: Three colors: red, blue, yellow

Ngọc thanh governed by Nguyên Thủy Thiên Tôn

Thựơng thanh with Linh Bảo Thiên Tôn

Thái thanh wit Đạo Đức Thiên Tôn or Thái Thựơng Lão Quân

(previous incarnation of Lao Tse)

Correspond to the Three basic religions in CaoDai ( Confucianism,

Taoism, Buddhism)

VÔ VI: it is believed that there exists an invisible realm where Deities,

Saints, Immortals, Buddhas, God reign. They are always present, love and

ducate us in our spiritual path toward purity and perfection to come back

to our sublime origin.

Chiếu Minh Tam Thanh Vô Vi is “The emptiness Dharma of Three

Illuminating Paths”.

Note: Poem not translated.

EPILOGUE

It is the sincere wish of the author to offer to all inquirers on the Spiritual Path this condensed yet comprehensive account of the fascinating faith of CaoDai. This will bring to the seeker a panoramic view without having to do extensive reading. Yet, the special way by which the Faith took shape, ie by Spiritism is rendered vividly. The place of this novel faith among the religions through times and places is affirmed.The basic teachings of Love and Justice and the practice of its Triple Fold Path of service, self-Cultivation, meditation are offered.The interested person can search for more profound information in the numerous works mentioned in the book, from the authors and from others.

CaoDai links us all as Spiritual Beings endowed with a spark of the Divine Spirit. This is the fundamental Oneness between God and Human and All in the Universe as we all receive a spark of the Divine Spirit. It gives possibilities and hope for our journey back to our sublime origin. It reconciles and unites all religions founded through ages and spaces, as all share the same divine source.

The book is made up with the collection of genuine questions from international searchers, which allow for authenticity in the experience of learning the message imparted by the faith. Excerpts of deep spiritism seances received from the Divine are reproduced to bring the reader into the vibrations of the moment.

The author has the genuine pleasure if this work “CaoDai: Practical Answers for the Seekers “fulfill the mission of its title.