Upload
sharebookttmq
View
217
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 1/42
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 2/42
-D´ manh ´ lay .ai: Bui -D˘ Hac um
bınhTr` ay: H ˆ T&Lanong ˆ Han˛
ung
Xˆ chep˛ u: TypeSetterH&L
-D´ tong .ap: eBookerH&L
L` tam .ai: U.S.A.-Chicago
Copyright Beck Ngasha&(M.D.)BuiDacHum—2006
Me.areyouyou,amMaster,yourI,
1926-(God)DaiCaofromMessage
CaoDai.truetheisCaoDaibeingwithoutCaoDai
1974-spiritBach´sThaiLy
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 3/42
5BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO4
CONTENTSOFTABLE
Preface
Foreword
messagetheCaoDai,1:Chapter
CaoDai?isWhatCaoDai?of goaltheisWhatreligion?universalathereIs
whilereligion,universalone betherecanHow different?outwardlysoarereligionscurrentreallyreligionsdifferentarewayswhichIn
one?Do?PhoKyTamDaoDaiisWhat
spiritism?isWhatCaoDaiof principleThe
conceptsitsCaoDai,2:Chapter
CaoDaiof foundingtheforReasonsfounded?CaoDaiwasHow
UniversetheandManGod,of onenessTheCao-truetheisCaoDai beingwithoutCaoDai
Daimessages?spiritualemployCaoDaistsdoHow
(Exoterism)GiaoNgoaiCaoDai3:Chapter
EyeDivineThe
CaoDaist?theof goaltheisWhatCaoDai?practiceonedoesHow
Cao-aasoneself affirmformallyonedoesHowDaist?
sym-itsiswhatandarrangedaltartheisHow bology?
atperformedservicesworshipdailyareHowaltar?theConclusion
Glossary
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 4/42
7BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO6
PREFACE
hasracehumanthetimes,ancientSincetoschemeandmeansimaginableeveryemployedinanotheronedestroytoevenandfight,tocompete,
strug-theinlifeof necessities basictheattaintoorderhuman- broughthavetimesModernsurvival.forgle
life,materialaof luxurytheandconveniencetheity
of sophisticationandadvancementthewithalong mil-andmaterialisminprogressthisButwar.of toolsof maturationa byaccompanied beennothasitarismhisemploytohesitatednothasmanAndspirituality.ingreedinherenthissatisfytoweaponssophisticated
world,theoverAllpower.andwealthforquestthefighttheindestructionandkillingseetocontinueweandfleshandmoney,andlandfame,andpowerfor
theirthatrecognizetocomehasHumankindfood.exercisenotdotheyif inevitableisdestructionown
conscience.withaccordindeedsrectifytopowerthespirituality.in butnowherefound becanpowerThatreligiousvariousyears,thousandfourpasttheOverareasdifferentinfounded beenhaveestablishments
another,onelovetohumankindteachtoworldtheof B.C.,2,500aboutAtevil.avoidtoandright,doto
Mid-thein Judaismtaught JacobandIsaacAbraham,KingandIndia;infoundedwasHinduismEast;dle
Ching""IorKing""YiChinaindevelopedHyPhucconsti-whichtransformations),of philosophy(thetwoAboutConfucianism.of principlesthetuted
Buddha,GautamatheIndia,inlater,yearsthousandTseLaoChina,inBuddhism;foundedMuni,SakyaorinandConfucianism;ConfuciusandTaoismfounded
Chris-foundedChrist(Jesus)YeshuaEast,Middlethehowever,travel,of meansof lack of Becausetianity.
onlyreceivedinitiallywerereligionsrevelatorytheseregionally.
havewhich breakthroughsscientificDespitefromstrayedhumankindcloser,worldthe brought
becomehasandreligioninfoundpowerof sourcethe
andphilosophicOriginalmaterialism.inenmeshed gradu-werereligionsvariousof teachingsspiritualcon-anddesiresthetoadaptationinmodifiedallytruetheof searchinPeopledisciples.theof venienceasconfusedanddisconcertedtherefore becameway
reli-whichtoasandreligion,of essencerealthetothink-of mannerthatWithone."correct"theisgionday bydaylivingtothemselvesresolvemaytheying,
humankind,saveandcometoGodforwaitingwouldGodhowandwherewhen,knowingwithout
come.to blessedthemselvesconsiderauthorsThehasGodthatreligionuniqueaexperiencedhavenewThiscontact.spiritualdirectthroughfoundedmajortheof essencetheiswhichCaoDai,isreligion
Christianity,Confucianism,(includingreligions
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 5/42
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 6/42
11BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO10
God!differentareveremustthought,otherthetoanotheroneunderstandnotdidhumankindBecause
andafraidarewhochildrenasandfear,hadthey bul- becomewillparentaof guidancethefromawayfeartheirof because beingshumanthesesolies,andfrictioncreatedandarroganceungodlydisplayedof childrenasothereachrecognizenotdidTheywar.
furtherweretherethoughEvenCreator.samethehearstillcouldwhothosetoGodfromrevelations
neigh-thy"LoveIslam;-God" butGodnois("ThereembracingthanratherChristianity),-thyself"as bordifferencestheresisttopreferredstillpeoplediversity
withwarmaketocontinuedandthemselves betweenmoreandmore becameSeparationsanother.onetoallowedwasprinciplesingleaevenuntilminute,
sects.of mightiesttheseparate Millen-Secondtheof centurylasttheinThentheof victimsmillioneighttheof bodiestheasnium,
testimonialadecomposing,stillwereWarWorldfirstantospokeGodwar,of EvilGreatthetoatself-cultivationhispracticingesoteristunrenowned
as-yetaninalsoEarth,theof cornerfaratoday.Vietnamcallweplaceunrenowned
Quoc,Phuof islandtheonwasitPreciselyVanNgoThere,Cambodia.of mainlandtheof south
relatingGodfromdirectlymessagesreceivedChieuplacetakemustwhichReconciliationgreatatotovowedandworshippedNgoreligions.all between
(literally,DaiCaoasknewheWhomGod,obeypermis-havemightheif askedHeHigh).onAbodecouldherepresentationainGodworshiptosion
limitingtooisformhumanathatrepliedGodview.Godthatuniversalityof essencetherepresenttotheisitasapt,moreisEyethethatandembodies,
Consciousness.IndividualandUniversalforsymbol(DivineNhanThienorGod,of EyeAll-SeeingtheSo
theandGodforDai,Caoforsymbolthe becameEye)CaoDa-orCaoDaicallediswhichreligion,ensuing
said:Godism.hearttherepresentsEyeThe
beam.lights puretwinwhichFrom
One,areSpiritandLight
gleam.Spirit´stheisGod
ICall,OriginalthehearsstillwhooneAstext.thistoreaderthewelcome
Beck Ngasha versionEnglishforEditor
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 7/42
13BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO12
1CHAPTER
MESSAGETHECAODAI,
******CaoDai?isWhat
inoriginatingreligionuniqueaisCaoDaiof SourceasGodrecognizeswhichAsia,Southeast
Whoreligions,allof originsouls,allandUniversethe
isandepochsdifferentindifferentlymanifested reli-universalaisCaoDaiNames.myriad bycalledteachesItOne.religionsallconsiderswhichgion,samethefromsprunghaveallwho beings,humantopeace;and justicelove,harmony,inlivetoSource,toand brotherhood;andsisterhooduniversalenjoy
withreunited beandseek tothemselvescultivatehearts.theirinGod
andcomehasGodthatpropoundsCaoDaiKyTamDaoDaiWay,newainHimself expressedorWay),GreatTheOf RevelationThird(TheDoPho
"CaoDai"Vietnam.in1926inreligion,CaoDaitheorPalaceSupremeorpalacehighmeansliterallytheFiguratively,reigns).GodwhereHighonAbodesym-God´sasusediswords)(twoDaiCaophrase beingpaththeasword)(oneCaoDaiandname, bolic
onenesstheisCaoDaiof philosophyThetaught.includinguniverseandBeingSupremethe between
religions.andhumanity
******CaoDai?ofgoaltheisWhat
showtoisCaoDaiof goalimmediateThesameoneindeedhavereligionsallthat beingshuman jus-andloveiswhichprinciple,sameoneandorigin
discriminatingstopwould beingshumanIf tice.religionsindifferenceof becauseothereachagainst
(Do justiceandlovetruewithothereachtreatandyou),untodothemhavewouldyouasothersuntoreli-withreligionsallof unity besoonwouldthere
subsequentlyandtolerance,andunderstandinggious
Theearth.onpeaceandhumanity betweenharmony individualtheto bringtoisCaoDaiof goalultimatespiri-andphysical bothself-purificationof teachingsthewithmeditation byself-cultivationof andtual,
purif-Physicalwithin.peaceof attainmenttheof goalvegetarian(beingfoodssaneeatingof consistsicationpurification) bodilyof wayoneasconsideredis
alcohol,assuchsubstancesof influenceswithout
purifica-Spiritualcetera.etdrugs,opium,cigarettes,andlove,compassion,practicingof consiststionand jealousy,hatred,greed,eliminatinginaltruism,
purifiedprogressivelyOnceothers.towardangertocloser becomewillonespiritually,andphysically
abso-haveandBeing,Supremethewithunifiedandwithin.peacelute
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 8/42
15BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO14
******religion?universalathereIs
religion.universalaisCaoDaiis.thereYes,Supremethethatnameaiswords)(twoDaiCao
aisCaoDaimessages.divinethroughusedhasBeingreligionsallthatprinciplethewithreligionuniversalreligionsotherareThereorigin.oneof andoneare
andwellasprinciplefundamentalthistoadherethattheassuchalliance,easyfindsCaoDaiwhomwith
FoundationOomotoTheandTheosophy,theBaha´i,(Japan).
******religion,universalonebetherecanHow
different?outwardlysoarereligionscurrentwhile
dif-fromseen beingtruththesimplyisIt frommessagesHolyCaoDaiIndeed,angles.ferentstated:haveBeingSupremethe people"Formerly,
eachknownotdidthereforeandtransportationlacked
differentinandepochsdifferentat foundedthenI other.
Shintoism,Confucianism,Tao:theof branches fiveareas,
theonbasedeachBuddhism,andTaoism,Christianity,
transporta-days, presentInrace.respectivetheof customs
eachknowtocomehave peopleandimproved,beenhastionverytheof becauseharmonyinlivenotdobutbetter,other
todeignedhaveI whyThat´sreligions.thoseof multiplicity
tobackthembringtooneintoreligionsthoseof allunite
unity." primordialthe
******reallyreligionsdifferentarewayswhichIn
one?anyinprinciplesalwaysare JusticeandLovewhatothersto"Domeansessentially Justicereligion.whatotherstododon’tyou;todotootherswantyouof partasAlsoyou."todotootherswantdon’tyou
con-iseveryonereligions,allof understandingtheSupremetheof partiswhichspirit,ahavetosiderednamesvarious bycalledisspiritThisspirit.Being´s bymicrocosmcalledisItreligions.differentthe by
Buddha´sHinduism, byself trueZoroastrianism, bysoulTaoism, byheartGod´sBuddhism, byheart
Addition-Islam... byNaf-matmainnahChristianity,tohumansguidetoisreligioneveryof goaltheally,
stillnessthegoodness,theself,truethecultivate becomemayspirithumanthethatorderinwithin,
otherInspirit.Being´sSupremethewithuniteorone medi-of formsvarioustheinpracticeesotericwords,whichsupplicationandpurificationprayer,tation,
to beingshumanleadwouldGod,tocloseone bringandself-realizationiswhichgoalultimatesamethe
God.withreunification
******
Reve-ThirdTheDo,PhoKyTamDaoDaiWay.GreatTheTao,Theoflation
ThirdThemeansDoPhoKyTamDaoDaiotherwiseWay,GreattheTao,theof Revelation
CaoDai.asknowncommun-hasBeingSupremeTheorDaiCao
time,of beginningthesince beingshumanwithicated beentherebyhasBeingSupremeTheof willtheand
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 9/42
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 10/42
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 11/42
21BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO20
and body,physicaltheof that beyondsurvivalIs.ThatAllThetoreturnaandself-cultivationenjoins
unit- byview,of pointinitiates’theFrom-4Buddhism,andTaoism,Christianity,Humanism,ing
allencompasswhichteachingsprovidesCaoDaispiritualandemotional,physical,person´saof stagesprogres-athroughpersontheassistsItdevelopment.wherestageaAtevolution.spiritualof processsive
suchobligationssecularmanytoattachedstillisone broth-children,parents,wife,orhusbandtowardas
itswithCaoDaihumanity,andsisters,andersactivi-allthroughoneguidecanteachinghumanisticfindtowishesonewheneverLater,life.one´sof ties
Almightythewithunited betoandmindof peaceinguidanceprovidewillCaoDaiheart,one´sindeep
meditation.withself-cultivation
2CHAPTER
CONCEPTSITSCAODAI,
******CaoDai:offoundingtheforReason
whensuffered beingshumanthattimeEachForfounded.wasreligionachaotic, becamesocieties
having by blessed beenhave beingshumanmillenia,
Judaism,Hinduism,assuchreligionof formsmany Confucianism,Taoism,Buddhism,Zoroasterianism,observesalwaysOnecetera.etIslam,Christianity,
aretheywhenevenreligions,throughtruthsameonetimesdifferentatfoundedanddifferentphysicallyso
places.andallof Creatoraof existencetheistruthThetheof existencethe beings,livinganduniversethe
Reli-heart.everyone´sinreignswhoBeingSupremedifferent byBeingSupremethiscalledhavegions Juda- byYahwehHinduism, byMacrocosmnames: byTaoZoroasterianism, byMazdaAhuraism,orIslam, byAllahConfucianism, byMonadTaoism,
reli-English-speakingof myriada by"God"simplypersons.gious
andcorruptedgetstruththetime,withThen
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 12/42
23BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO22
towardtendencyahave beingsHumandiluted.othereachagainstdiscriminateTheymaterialism.
religions; betweendifferencesphysicalof becausereli-of formtheunderothereachkillandfight,theychil-andparents betweenrelationshipthewars;gious
friends,sisters,and brotherswife,andhusbanddren,money.anddesiresmaterial bycontrolled becomes
Theosophy,Baha´i,assuchphilosophiesUniversal
con-totryingcreated,wereFoundationOomotoandreligions.WesternandEasternthenect
CaoDaifoundedBeingSupremethe1926InarereligionsallthatpeopleshowtoVietnamin
Supremethe1926,Inorigin.sameoneof indeedmessage:followingthegaveBeing
Me,isBuddha)timeold(anPhatCoDangNhien
Me,is MuniSakya Me,isImmortal)timeold(anThiNguonThuongThai
Dai.CaoisWho
BeingSupremetheCaoDai,foundingInonehavereligionsallthatrealizetomanteacheseachagainstdiscriminatetonotandorigin,sametosister,and brotherasothereachloveto butother
heart.one´sinGodfindtoself cultivate
******founded?CaoDaiwasHow
Cao-theof codemoralandphilosophyThemosttheof unificationfromdevelopedDaists
Vietnam:indaytheof thoughtof schoolinfluentialItConfucianism.andChristianity,Taoism,Buddhism,of foundingofficialthe beforeyearssix1920,inwas
BeingSupremetheDaiCaothatreligionCaoDaithePhuof governorthentheChieu,VanNgotorevealedwasNgoSiam.of gulf theinisland beautifulaQuoc,assis-theWithwisdom.andseclusionof lifealeadingmain-heworship,of formmediumisticaof tance
apparitionAnrealm.spiritualthewithcontacttainedappeared.Dai""Caoof identityanrevealedwhich
whichDai,Caonamethe beginning,theFrom
wastower,rooflessorabode,highmeansliterallyTheBeing.Supremetheof namesymbolicaasgiven
world´stheallthatNgoinformedBeingSupremetheywhichfromOnethetoreturnshouldreligions
delivered betowasmessageThissprang.originallytopermissionforCaoDaiaskedNgoworld.thetoahadthenHeform.tangibleaunderHimworship
subsequentlywasandEyeAll-Seeingtheof vision NgoDai.Caoof symboltheasitusetoorderedininterestedthoseTo1924.inSaigontoreturned
esotericandphilosophythetaughtheself-cultivation,stayhisduringDaiCaofromlearnedhadhepractice
Quoc.PhuinVanNgofromseparatedtotally1925,midInCao-SaigoninofficialscivilminorthreeChieu,
-SangHoaiCaoandTac,CongPhamCu,Quynhcon-spiritOnespiritism.practicingtogetherwereandvirtueswonderfulHisforoutsingledwastactedasHimself introducedHeknowledge.outstanding
Viet-theof lettersthreefirsttheare(AAAAAA.undercontinued,sessiontheAsalphabet).namese
rudimentarytheirreplacedtheyadvice,AAA´swritingfortoolawithcommunicationof method
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 13/42
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 14/42
27BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO26
of multitudethe byspread betoCaoDaiof awarenesstumultu-thisduringAsiaSoutheastescapingpeople
period.ousnewadawns,millenniumtheasNowtogivenaremessagesCaoDaiandcreatedisimpetus
Unitedtheinassuchplaces,newinpeoplenewvaluethediscoverto beginningareAmericansStates.themuchInCaoDai.of formesotericoriginaltheof
toopened beenhasBuddhismTibetanaswaysamelit-disseminatingof processthe beginsCaoDaimany,
infor-esotericheldcloselyandvaluableitslittle bytletoitself opentotemplefirstTheWest.thetomation
underwayisWesternersof acceptanceandinfluxthetodesirethehaveleadersItsCalifornia.Riverside,intoEnglishintraditionsesoterictheirrelateto begin
messagemainandfirstthethatsoAmericans, OneareallwethatBeing,SupremethefromreceivedDivinity,NamelessOneTheunderreunitemustandpracticeesotericof pathathatanddelivered, becan
thewithself theof (reunificationendthattoward begin.mayBeing)Supreme
******
UniversetheandManGod,ofonenessTheoneteachings,manyamongtext,CaoDaiInThe"NhatDongVatVanDia"Thienout:stands
thousandtenandearth,thesky,"Themeans:which be?thiscanHowconstitution."sameoneof arethings
meaning?extendedtheisWhatimply?itdoesWhatunderstandtotrytosituationsfewaexamineLet´s
theinthingstheallandearththesky,thehow
nature.sameoneof becanuniversephysicaltheof consistingasmanseecanOneLet´spart.spiritualtheandpartemotionalthe body,
body:physicaltheexamineheat,theinwalkedwearilypedestrianAsomeshade,arespite,aforlookedHeover.allsweatfiercetheunderwiltedroadthe byplantAwater.theandplanttheforsaviorthe bewouldWatersun.
theif butuntouchedisstonethethatappearsItman.temperature,enoughhighwithovenaninisstone
fromeffectsametheThus,decomposes.alsostonethetheplant,theman,theforobservedisheatexcessivehavedon’ttheyIf stone.theeventuallyandanimaleffectcommonacanhowconstitution, basicsamethe
place?takes
needallpeopleandplantsanimals,Similarly, unnecessaryeliminatetoandnutrientsabsorbtothetolimitedisreceivetheyenergyThematerials.
nutrients.of supplyregularAreproduction.of aspecttheconsiderLet´s
plantmarigoldAreproduction.governslawcommoncondition,appropriateinplacedif whichseedsgivesconceivingafterdog,Aplants.marigoldproducewill
thetoapplieslawsimilarAdog.ato birthgivewillcontinuationspecificof rulesameThe being.human
oranimalorhuman,whetherapplies,linetheof governs.lawgeneticsameTheplant.
withoutstartsuniversethisinexistenceAllsametheconstitution, basicsameTheatom.the
Univer-Unitarianthe byexpressedarelawsnaturalthewithHumantheof Onenessof principlesalist
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 15/42
29BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO28
commonThisLaw.Naturalof reigntheandEternalsayingthisof reminiscentisexistencephysicalof law
China:ancientfromsinhdongvatmuoncungTa
haichangtinhsuvatmuonvaTa
...together;bornarethingsthousandtenand Myself
samethetogetherbearthingsthousandtenand Myself
condition.of partareweWell,universe?theaboutHowWesun.theonrelyWefunction.smoothitsof andit
evolvingearththeof punctualitytheonrelyalsoof rangenarrowthereceivewethatsosunthearoundlifeourand bodyOurneed.wetemperatureandlight
Afteruniverse.theof lifetheand bodytheof partare
partalsoiswhichdustintoturns bodyourdeath,our universe.theof part:emotionaltheexamineLet´s
oneday,afterdaylifefromlearningtheWithsamethefeelsandfellowone´swithidentifytostartstowereoneIf fellow.theforfeelsandfellowone´sas
personsallgeneral,insession,intheateraobserveinstant.sametheatcryorlaughplaythewatching
canweIf reactions.emotionalsametheshareWewilldifferencessimilarities,realthesewithidentify
grow.willloveandthemselveseffaceandusgrantedhasGodspiritual,thetoAsAndspirit.Hisof partacosmostheineverything
humanwhythat´ssharedisspiritthehuman,amongfromteachingswhyisThisprinciple.similarhave
religionsAllgoal.commonahavereligionsdifferent
sametheshareand(God)originsameonefromstemonfoundmottothe byillustratedisThisprinciples.ahaswhichUNUMPLURIBUSE bill:dollar""onethe
as:Vietnameseinknowncounterpartmany),emanateone,(fromThuVanTanBonNhut
one).emanatesmany,(fromBonNhutQuiThuVan
******
truetheisCaoDaibeingwithoutCaoDaiCaoDai.
message:followingthegaveDaiCao Me,isBuddha)timeold(anBuddhaDipankara
Me,is MuniSakya
previ-Immortal,timeold(anThiNguonThuongThai
Me,isTse)Laoof incarnationous
Dai.CaoisWho
primordialonecontainreligionsVariousisreligionCaoDaiIf CaoDai).callwe(whichtruthnotwoulditentity,definedseparateaCaoDai,onlynotisCaoDaiIf be.tomeantisitasCaoDai betruly
Taoism,orBuddhism,encompasses butCaoDai,onlytowardpathanyorChristianity,orConfucianism,orpro-notdoesCaoDaiCaoDai.trulythenisitGod,
butpath,anyof followerstheconverttopoundthatunderstandingtheinfaithsallunitetowishestoler-teachandprinciple,sameoneof areallfaithsanputwouldaloneThatreligions.the betweenance
majoritythetoleadswhichstrifereligiousthetoendworld.theinwarsof
******
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 16/42
31BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO30
mes-spiritualemployCaoDaistsdoHowsages?
mes-spiritualpractice,spiritualCaoDaiInTheverses.of formtheinreceivedoftenaresagesTheverses.inalwaysalmostareprayersasusedonestheunderareinformationeducationalasusedones
exam-someareBelowprose.orverseeitherof formmany,areTherereceived.messageof typetheof ples
intotranslated beenyetnothavewhichmoremanyCao-regularly.received beingaremorestillEnglish;theol-expandingeverandgrowing,thriving,aisDai
wisdomcontinuingthewith blessedareweandogy,versesspiritualtheseof formtheinusto bestowed
prose.andOfferingIncensetheforPrayers
flame,intosmolderscinderscentedthe As
came.Taothewhich from faiththetooSo
sky,theintoascendswispwindingthe As
mind.mystirsheavenof scentwaftingthe
pray:respectfullyI Spirits,SuperiortheTo
staytoEminenceTheirsway gesturethis May
way.this passtodeigntheyshouldmoment,abutif
entreatI disciple,aastime,thisat And
feet.mybeneathEarthandaboveSkyTherecognizedbehopeinimmersedheartmy May
prized.highlyspiritof space purethatas
loveof showerausonrainblessings May
Above.Up fromdescentcalmtheirmaketheyas
SleepBeforePrayersday,bymeconsumedesiresmaterial All
astray.actionsmyandmindmyLeading
praytohere prostratingamI One, Holystaytomindmycausewilllovingness yourThat
Divinity,YouronclearandFocused
infidelity.towardactionsnoTaking
rest,atissoulmywhensleep,myDuring
best.iswhattome guide pleaseSpirits,Superior
yearnI NirvanaSacred yourinhomemyToward
learn.toneedI whichlessonthemeteachSo
EatingBeforePrayersbeings,livingof multitudethetoForemost
things.of necessarymosttheiseatTo
need,thistobroughthasCreatortheCereals,
feed.towhichuponchildren Histo give And
KingNongSento gothanksdeepOur
upbringing. plants’of waystheintaughtWho
manof bodythisborrowtovowI Gratefully
land.Eternaltheof questthe foruseIn
PrayerVoyager´sThelife;of roadthebutisthisFor
savedbewemaywayits Along
embraceweteachingsin faithBy
wave.theontossed foamasareweThough
shakenofttrustfulnessmy findI
tideearly fromretreatI So purificationishappenstancesuchBut
Dai.Caotoward journeysoul´sthealong
soulmyinrefugeof placethat fromrealizeI
others;tocausedhaveI harm forrepentand
faith goodmyof know Almightythe May
brothers.myservetodedicationmyand
brambles,andthornsthebraveI As
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 17/42
33BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO32
sane.returnandsafeoutsetI May passI as protectionme grant Almightythe May
same.theroadlife´sand path Heaven´salong
RealmsDivineEnteringTeachings:realms,DivineentertobemayitarduousThough
kin,human yoursurpasstonot Hesitate
positivetonegativeturntoheart peacefulaKeep
begin.to place yourasmindset plainakeepand
miracles, your practicingKeepday,bydayslowly,and
fray.the from youkeepwilldevotiontirelessYour
wickednesstheir flauntwickedThe
pure,remain purethebut
cultivationtriplePracticing
cure,spirit´stheirassureto
Divinethetorisetheyas And
station,loftytheirclaimto
Host Heavenlythebyrememberedarethey
nation. Heaven´storein givenand
Idisciples.Being´sSupremeTheof all blessInow.leavemytake
***HeartCultivatingTeachings:
outcometheseewill youthen Andtaken,have youactionstheOf
fraughtislife fornot,complainYet
forsaken.opportunityWith
...
heart, yourof cultivationtheIn
steadybladesharpwisdom´s Make
youkarmathethroughcuttingFor
ready. youmaketohoned Have...
seen fullyissufferingYour
compassion Myof EyetheIn
fleeandriseto yehastenNow
Heaven! MyinreunionToward
...
you,despisedhaswhoever And
devotee, female gentle Myseewillsoandmedisregarded Has
day.oneresultsdeeds’These
TacCongPhamPhapHoH.H. byGiven***
insincerityandPerseveranceTeachings:self-cultivation
you, grant Master, yourI,
Chi.thedisciples,sinceremostthe
self true your pure,beTo
energy.brightemanateshould
closelyheedothers,helpTo
examinationTao´sthe
will youasconfusion,no Have
illumination.complete find
...brightlyshinesmoonthe As
nightclearthein
child,self,cultivatingIn
aright.mindandheart yourkeep
with patientcompletelyBe
year,by yearhardships your
growth yourof blessingThe
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 18/42
35BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO34
fears. yourcleanwipeshall...
havetotaughtwere youChild,
compassion,
sincerity your forblessed And
cultivation,of
chakra)(CrownKhieu"Quan"HuyenThe
heart, yourof claritythroughopenwill
MywithrepletebeenhasWhichstart.the fromblessings
...
havingandvirtues yourTending
cultivation,towardmind
Superiorto praytoWilling
contemplation, yourinSpirits
vision you grantandblessThey
bright,emanationstheirto
sanctifiedbewillnameYour
birthright.being´s gentleaas
...
testtheof conscientiousBeing
Day,ConventionFlowertheof
discovertoelatedbeYou´ll
lain,has predestiny yourwheretheononly focusnow forBut
virtue,andmindof growth
Divinetheinhome yourThereby
you. forreservedwellbewillabode
monthfirsttheof day16ththeDai,Cao byGiven(1994)TuatGiapyeartheof
***
self-todisciplescallsMasterTheTeachings:cultivation
golden,soopportunityanisIt
prizedhighlysodestinyaNirvana
alldisciplesincarnates,Divine
Dai!CaowithencountertoRush
...
all youlove"I speaks: MasterOur
volunteering. forchildrenkind Myof honorthehave youworldthisOn
healing.spirits’andTao,theinitiating
...
missiontimelythishaveshould you"That
agoeonsmany plannedhaveWe
together.legionmy gathering yourof
forego.notmust youdutySuch
...
humanityliftandTaotheserve"To
hold,I HeightsLoftytheto
accepted,wasmissionthe As
foretold.wasmissionthe As
...
youaroundthose gather you"As
idealsamethedearholdwhokarmaclearbright,abuildshall you
revealed.isWayGreattheas
...
open,swingsGate Holythe"As
mention you giveshallwisethe
things,worldly forsakingwho,oneas
convention. Heaven´s forthbrings
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 19/42
37BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO36
...winshall yousacrifices yourby"And
Divinethein placea
ImmortalsandGeniesof hostwhose
thine.todaytheirwaymake
...
waytrueTao´sthereachwhothose"For
swayhold ´ Earthand Heavenoer
themblessemanationsDivineworth.trueTao´stherealizewho
...
deeds,andspeech yourincaretake"So
Host, Heavenlythebeartoworthy
unenlightened,thenotImitate
boast.to prone yetignorantso
...
sochild youngmythis, youtell"I
Master, yourrecallwill you
gainworldlyof all forsaking
faster.muchTaothereachto
...
mind, yourseduce pleasureworldlynot"Let
fallowempty, postDivine yourleaving
painFather, your Me,causesitForshallow.so grownchildren Hisseeto
...
now?’tilwordsmyhear yet you"Do
children?remember, youDo
verse,thisleaveI returnmyBefore
then:untilwordsmyheed you´llthat
...
openwidelywasonce pathTao´s"TheEarthunto Heaven from
Onenessof embraceYang´sandYinWhen
birth. you giveto fused first
...
waytheleadsnowstill pathTao´s"The
wheelKarmictheescapeto
soulown yoursalvagetoand
seal.Destruction´s fastmadeisbefore...
versedwelltooare"You
wait.notdosoman,of waysthein
you,near Master yourhavealwaysYou
hesitate.neverSo
...
presencebrethren´s yourarrangedhave"I
sides,allon youwithbeto
fulfillmust youtasktimeliesttheNow
mind.virtuousabuildtois
...
contemplate you,beseech"I
error.of lifetemporalthis
repugnancybitterness,itsNote
terror!totendencyitsmoreand...
lifethisof theatrethe"In
cruel,too pagescripteditswith
actorsof playdeceitfulnotsuffer
pure!soconsciousness youron
...
tire yetnot youdo"Why
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 20/42
39BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO38
illusion?of tormentstheof goodstoil-won yourstoretowhere And
conclusion?life´sthisupon
...
valuethen youwill"How
downfallenlifeof spoilsthe
shirkingof currencythewithbought
calling?heartfelt Master´sYour
...soundthe forgothavingonce"For
voice,beaconing Master´sYourof
recognizetohope youcanhow
choice?of realmhereafter´sthe
...
said,haveI thatalltothoughtdeep"Give
reply, your giveconscience yourLet
youtoout flowallblessings My Meanwhile
eye."own Myinheldare youas
3CHAPTER
(EXOTERISM)GIAO""NGOAICAODAI
******EyeDivineThe
beenhasWhoGod,oneonlyisTherediverseundertoprayedandveneratedworshipped,SupremeTheworld.theof partsdifferentinnames
bewouldshapehumanathatproclaimedhasBeinguniversalitytherepresenttospecificandphysicaltoo
theThereforeembodies.Godthatessencetheandaof representationtheusgivenhasBeingSupreme
andUniversalof imagetheiswhichEye,shiningConsciousness.Individual
******
CaoDaist?theof goaltheisWhat theconstituteallfor justiceandLovetoisgoalultimateTheCaoDai.of task immediate
withreunificationultimateachievehumankindhelpTruetheof cultivationthroughBeingSupremethe
Self.waystwooffersCaoDaifield,practicalaOnorwayoutertheself-cultivation:forpracticeof
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 21/42
41BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO40
esoterism.way,innertheandexoterism aleadtocontinueadeptstheexoterism,Inpracticethetothemselvesdevotingwhilelifefamily
towaystheof Oneevil.of avoidancetheandgoodof livingdestroyingfromabstaintoisthisaccomplish
awith beingslivinglovetowordsotherinor beings justiceobservetoandloveunconditionalanlove,true
dotootherswantdon’tyouwhatotherstodo(don’t
theservesCaoDaiexoterism,practicingInyou).toandsisterhoodinternationalof senseawithworld
Being´sSupremethewithaccordancein brotherhood,atperformmayadeptsthethis,Besidesteaching.theworshippingdayperceremonyoneleastlocalaatmonthatwiceandhome,atBeingSupremeexo-theto belongCaoDaistsmostgeneral,Intemple.
exoterictheof templeprincipalThepractice.tericTayinlocatedisandSee,Holythecalledisform
Vietnam.Ninh,more becomehowever,has,practiceEsotericwithunitetoaspiresesoteristThepopular.moreandself-onconcentrating byBeingSupremetheself-andmeditationof way bycultivationtotempleaentertonecessarynotisItpurification.
recog-esoteristtheforCaoDai,of formthispractice coming byButwithin.residestemplethethatnizestheirupfirmlearn,share,canesoteriststogether,per-theirfurthertotogetherpracticeandthinkingtheirsimplifytolearnTheyself-cultivation.sonalTheypersons.lovingkind,sincere, becometoneeds,tonature,andhumanitytolovetheirexpandtolearn
orderinemotionsadverseof free becomeandcontrol
becomeandUniversethewithoneat becometo Being.SupremethewithonenesstocloserandcloserNgo bypracticedoriginallywasEsoterismhim.arounddevelopedthatgrouptheandChieuVanTho,CanatlocatedisesoterismfortemplemainThe
Delta.MekongtheinVietnam
******
CaoDai?practiceonedoesHowsaid:hasmessagespiritualA
I life, forrespectof out Mercy,andLoveof Out
thesavetoRevelationThirdWay´sGreatthe foundedhave
peaceof worldaattainvirtuousthehelptohuman,earthly
suffering.of worldearthlythetoreincarnationavoidand
reuni- betoisCaoDaistsof goalultimateThehome.returntoIs,ThatAllThewithfied
humanof needsspiritualvaryingthefitTopractice:of waystwooffersCaoDai beings,
toaccordingcultivationorExoterism1.aconductingwhiledisciple,CaoDaiahumanism:
is:lifefamilynormalfamily,self,towarddutiescompletetoa.
nature.and beings,livingcountry,society,
evil.avoidandgoodpracticeto b. plants,nature,tokindnessshowtoc.unnecessaryavoidtoand beings,humananimals,
alltheythatrecognizingcreature,anyof destructionof partareandspiritBeing´sSupremethehave
cycle.nature´sdokill,notdoPrecepts:fiveobservetod.
drunk,getnotdoadultery,commitnotdosteal,not
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 22/42
43BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO42
word. bysinnotdo tenleastatvegetarianismpracticetoe. bodyone´spurifytowayaisThismonth.perdaysliv-killingavoiding bylovepromotetoandspiritand
beings.ingdevotionof actsritualinparticipatetof.
fourareThereBeing.Supremethetoworshipandandp.m.,6:00noon,a.m.,6:00atceremonies,daily
ishomeatdayperceremonyoneleastAtmidnight.performed.
hisperformsdiscipleaWhileEsoterism:2.vegetarian-practicingisandhumanitytowardduties
guided bemayhemonth,perdaystenleastatforismaasmeditationwithesoterismof practicethein
eradicateprogressivelytoisgoalTheexercise.majorelementdivinethedevelopandself inferiorthe
thewithonenesstowardreachingself,thewithinBeing.Supreme
******Cao-aasmyselfaffirmformallyIdoHow
Daist?
isCeremony)(GatewayMon"Nhap"LeThe
person´saconfirmsthatoathsolemnaandrituala isandmatterseriousaisItCaoDai.inmembershipindis-consideredisit becauselightly,taken betonotparti-tomajorityof agetheof bemustOnesolvable. betrulycannotItceremony.formalizingthisincipate
becausehowever,process,"conversion"aastakencetera)etBuddhism,(Judaism,faithanyof CaoDaiststheirof identitytheretainstillanditinparttakemay
etCaoDaist,BuddhistCaoDaist, Jewisha(asreligion bap-aasof thought becanitwayssomeIncetera).aundergomayChristianiswhopersonaas justtism,
com-theirdeepenandformalize,affirm,to baptismfaith.theirtomitment
******itsiswhatandarrangedaltartheisHow
symbology?theof pointcentraltheatisEyeDivineThe
symboliz-center,theatplacedlightaisitBelowaltar.of OnenessUniversal(theMonadUniversaltheing
lit.continuallyleftisitGod;isWhoIs)ThatAllTheleftThealtar:theoncandlestwoareThere
princi-(activeYanglogospositivetherepresentsone beginningtheatfirstlitisItetc.)sunlight,male,ple,
therepresentingcandle,rightTheceremony.eachof moon-female,principle,(receptiveYinlogosnegativetwotherepresenttheyTogethernext.litisetc.)light,for-universe´stheininvolvedforcescomplementary
mation.thecandles,two betweenandmiddletheIn
levelsfivetherepresentvaseainincenseof sticksfive
development:spiritualof Purification,1.Meditation,2.Wisdom,3.
knowledge,Universal4.liberation;Karmic5.
therepresentalsoincenseof sticksfiveThewater,fire,Earth,Earth:of elementsprincipalfive
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 23/42
45BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO44
areelementstheseWesttheInplant.andmetal spirit.andair,water,fire,Earth,as:known(repro-"Tinh"representfruitsandFlowers
of formationtheforelements basicthecells),ductive beings.humanof mattervitalthe body,physicalthe
(the"Khi"representwineof glassesthreeTheof formtheundermanifestedenergy),vitaltheChi,
threetherepresentsthreeNumberemotions.human
Human.andEarth,Heaven,universe,theinlevels(the"Than"representwaterof cupstwoThetheoncupTheBeing).Supremethe bygivenspiritpurerepresentsandwater,purecontainssideYangYintheoncupThegood.genuinelyGod,fromspirit bycoveredspirittherepresentsandtea,containsside
pure).(notemotionsseculargemsthreetheare"Than"and"Khi","Tinh",self-of processtheininvolved beingshumanof
cultivation.astoreferredisaltartheof arrangementThe
self-theirin beingshumanguideswhichmap,arelationshipclosetheunderscoresThiscultivation.
the betweenorGiao","NoiandGiao""Ngoai betweenlife.purificationtheandlifesecular
******performedservicesworshipdailyareHow
altar?theat
handstwotheirputCaoDaistsTraditionally,principleactivetherepresentshandleftthetogether:
ringlefttheof basetheatpointingthumbitswiththearoundwrappingfingersothertheandfinger,
receptivetherepresentinghand,rightThethumb. hand,leftthearoundwrapsandsupportsprinciple,lefttheof basetheatpointingthumbrightthewith
joinedhandstwoThe).Fig.(Seefingerindexinteractionthesymbolizewaythisintogether
whichprinciplesreceptiveandactive between beings.itsallanduniversetheformedhavetogether
pat-thisfollowsservicetraditionalregularA
tern: byrespectmutualtheirshowFollowers1.
bow.onewithanotheronesalutingthree bowandaltarthefaceFollowers2.
movingaboveastogether joinedhandswithtimestoDai)Caotorespect(representingforeheadfromtheatrestingandGoddess)orEarthto(respectknees
bow.eachof endtheatHumanity)to(respectchest joinedtheir bringfollowerskneeling,Now3.temple,rightandtempleleftforehead,thetohands
MoNamPhat,MoNamrespectivelysayingwhilecom-theirshowsymbolicallytoTang,MoNamPhap,
Humanity.andTeachings,HolytheGod,tomitmentteachings.Buddhistoriginalof patternafollowsThisapproxi-toupforsungareprayersNext,4.
Supremethepraisingminutes,forty-fivemately Theworld.theof ReligionsGreatvariousandBeinghavethatversessophisticatedinwrittenareprayers
contact.spiritualof sessionsduringreceived been
******dif-ofesoterismtheindifferenceathereIs
religions?ferent
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 24/42
47BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO46
evendifferent bemaypracticeof wayThe same,theisprinciplethe butreligion,onewithinwithone becometospirithumanelevatetoiswhich
spirit.Being´sSupremetheaformingof consistspracticeesotericCaoDai
CaoDaimeditation. by bodyspiritualor bodysecondor"Tinh"theof controlgettingof consistsmeditationtheregulatingmatter),vitalis(which bodyphysical
"Than"thepurifyingandenergy)vitalis(which"Khi""Khi","Tinh",thatsoprinciple)spiritualis(which body.secondtheformingone, becomewill"Than"
of oneeachtoendowedspirittheis bodysecondThisthisdevelopsesoteristTheBeing.Supremethe byusthewithone becometoorderin bodyspiritual
spirit.Being´sSupreme
******meditate?CaoDaistsdoHow
dinh"."thiencalledismeditationCaoDaiandmindthedowncalmingquieting,means"Thien"
keepingconcentration,means"dinh"emotions;theVanNgoOriginally,around.wanderingnotmindtheviaDaiCaofromdirectlydinh""thienlearnedChieu
alsoTacCongPhamLater,messages.spiritual thefromdinh""thienaboutteachingsreceivedPhamandChieuVanNgoBothBeing.?SupremenotdidTacCongPhamenlightened.wereTacCongNinhTayatdisciplesof anytodinh""thienteachNgopractice.exotericfollowthemof most becauseandgroupownhiscreatedcontrary,inChieu,VanhasTheremouth.of word bydinh""thientaught
CaoDairegardingdocumentationwrittenno been a1964,Inpublished.publiclytechniquesmeditationmes-spiritualreceivedSaigonatCaoDaistsof group
organi-ancreatetoorderingBachThaiLyfromsages(Organi-Ly"GiaoThongPhoQuan"Cocalledzation
of purposeTheteachings).CaoDaispreadtozation bysectsCaoDaidifferentunifytoisorganizationthis
regard-CaoDaistswhichduringseminarsorganizing
bygrantedteachingcommonthelearnsectsof lessmeditationaorganization,thisThroughCaoDai.
(previ-ToLaoPhuongDong bytaughtwastechniqueprac-disciplesCaoDaiCurrently,Tse).Laoof lifeousNgofromonedinh","thienof techniquestwotice"tancalledareTheyTse.LaofromoneChieu,Van
besideswhich,technique)new(CaoDaiCaoDai"phapprinciplesamethehavedifferences,technicalminor
Than:"Khi,"Tinh,of cultivationtheiswhichKhi,hoaTinh"Luyen
Than,hoaKhiLuyen
Hu,huonThanLuyen
Vo."huon HuLuyen
inandman,inspermcalltousedis"Tinh"female,and(maleelementsreproductivesexes, both
formcombined,which,respectively)YinandYangor person.aof partvisiblethepart,physicalthewhichair,orgas,calltousedis"Khi"alsoItperson.aof partsemivisibletherepresentsof emotionsandenergyorforce,therepresents
posi-threearethereemotions,Among being.humanandhappiness,andlove, joy,arewhichemotionstive
sadness,hatred,anger,arewhichonesadversefour
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 25/42
49BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO48
greed.and per-aof partinvisiblethespirit,theis"Than"pureiswhichparttheconscience,asknownalsoson,
good.genuinelyandso"Tinh"cultivatetoisKhi"hoaTinh"Luyen
"Khi."intotransformed bewillitthatso"Khi"cultivatetoisThan"hoaKhi"Luyencul-To"Than".intotransformed bewill"Khi"that
dif-throughflow"Khi"thedirecttois"Khi"tivateemotions,the balanceto bodytheof centersferent becomewillemotionsone´sthatadverse,soandgood
the"Than,"withone becomeandpurerandpurercompleteourof partpuregenuinelytheorspirit,adversethesuppresstoeffortslife,dailyInmake-up.
In"Khi".theof cultivationthehelpwouldemotionswithone becomewill"Khi"and"Tinh"words,othersacredtheformsThan"Khi,"Tinh,trioThe"Than."
being.humanof bodysecondthecalledfetusHu."huonThan"Luyen
isrealThereal.theof contrarytheis"Hu"humanof partphysicaltheiswhichvisibleiswhat
thereforeandearthfromispartvisibleThis being. beinghumananimal,(plant,lastingnottemporary,
theis"Hu"elements).earthrebecomeanddiewill andeverlastinginvisible,isandreal,theof contrary becomewill bodysecondthestagethisAteternal.
"Hu."Vo."huonHu"Luyen
theof statusthenil,of statustheis"Vo"without birth,withoutiswhichBeing,Supremesound,withoutcolor,withoutform,withoutdeath,
orNirvana,or beatitude,callediswhichetc....Heaven.withone becometoisVo"huonHu"LuyenNir-orstatusnilthereachingBeing,Supremethe
Heaven.orvana,of formwhicheverpracticemayCaoDaists butindividual,thetoappropriateseemsmeditation
commonlyformthedescribesexercisefollowingthe
pro- beginningaisexerciseThisCaoDaists. byused"Khi",into(visible)mattervital"Tinh",transfertocessspiri-"Than",intothenand(semivisible)energyvitalfrompaththe beginsthusand(invisible);energytualaisspiritperson´sEachsublime.thetomundanethe
becauseHowever,spirit.Being´sSupremetheof partattentionpaytofailmostlives,seculardaily busyof
thatdeveloptowork orof,presencetherecognizeto,aphysical/sexual,aredrivesWhen body.spiritual
aredriveswhencreated;isfetus)(humanthai""phamholythai","thanhaspiritual,thetowardfocusedwillwhichformedeventuallyis"fetus"(spiritual)
enlightenedspirituallyorBuddhictheintogrowstate.
constantlywhichmindthequietsMeditation
allowingthusanother,tothoughtonefrommoves pro-the beginsThisself.innerthewithcontactfirstunifi-ultimateandthai""thanhthedevelopingof cess
Source.Creator/Originalthewithcationstepsof descriptionsimpleaisFollowingMedi-technique.meditationCaoDaithisininvolved
of averageanforwaythisin breaththeupontatedaily:initiallyhouranhalf tominutestwenty
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 26/42
51BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO50
half eyesstraight,headandspinewithSit1. andclosedmouthanything,onfocussednotopen,touchinglightlytonguetheof tipthewithrelaxed,
mouth.theof roof thethepast breaththedirectinggently,Inhale2.
(whereheart,theatcenterfiretheHoa",Cung"PhachHa"Phachthetoprinciple)firethewithimbuedisit
plexus).(sacralnaveltheatcenterlowertheDinh",
seconds,twofor breaththeholdingWhile3."Phachtheintoinhalationtheof energythetransfer
theof basetheatcenteryinextremelytheAm,"Cucspine.
breaththefromenergythedirectExhaling,4.theDuong,"Cuc"Phachtheintospinethethroughup
Alonghead.theof toptheatcenteryangextremelyprinci-waterthewithimbuedis breaththewaythethehelpsprinciple)firethe(from"steam"theandple,
open.to begintoeyethirdexpectationone´sthatispointimportantThe
issuccesstokeytheandfirstathumble beshouldgoaltheinsincere beshouldOnesincerity.absolute
understand-andcompassion,love,of developmentof one´sinSelf Truethetoleadnaturallywillwhiching
Being.Supremethewithunificationthetoandheart
******When?Esoterism?
attendantitswithworldflyingfasttoday´sInanisesoterismliving,amakingof worryandstressfeelnotdowhothoseforevenresourceinvaluableof courseregulartheWhentime.thehavethey
isit burdensome,tooseemsprayerandmeditation short(forMeditateforms.creativesomefortimefacingnotareyouwhen bedtime, before justperiods)peoplemanyAlso,duties.dailyof listlaundrylongawakeful butmeditation,eyes-openof think notdoactivityanyduringaccomplished becanmeditationlaun-foldinghammering,walking,sweeping,assuch
behindprincipleTheday.theduringcetera,etdry,
of contractionthefollowmindfullytoispracticethis bodytheandmindthethatsoinvolvedmusclesthecom-indeedisThisactivities.theseduringoneare
automati-arewhichactivitiesfromdifferentpletelyaround.wanderingismindthewhileperformedcallymindful-andkindnesslovingof attitudesameThemedita-anyinusesonethatworldthetowardness
types.wakefultheof elementanstillistion
driv-whileoncarriedchantinvigoratingAnlisten-merelythanspiritone´sraisetomoredoesing
radio.thetoingatten-more becanonewaysmanyareTheredaily busymanagingwhilespiritualityinnertotiveincreativityinneraccesstoisideatheschedules;isthatyouwithinlevelspiritualthereachtoorder
serviceof actsinstance,Forexpressed. betowaiting express-andsmall,seeminglyhoweverhumanity,topracticingin(asanimalsandnatureof loveone´sing
cul-towaysotherarevegetarianism),totalorpartialspiritually.purerandpurer becometoself tivate
busyfromawaytimenoorlittleverytakeTheseeachcreativity,andmindfulnessWithschedules.
more.manydiscovercanindividual
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 27/42
53BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO52
******CaoDaiandHugoVictor
LIFEINHUGOVICTORBesan-of citythein bornwasHugoVictorgeneralawasfatherHis1802.yeartheinFrance,con,
toroseHugoBonaparte.Napoleonof armytheincentury19thof poetprominentmostthe become
tofatherhisfollowedheyears,youngerhisInFrance.
Paris.insettleto back camethenItaly,thenSpain,onestudied"hethatsaidwasit bright,veryBeinggreatasrecognizedwaswork Histen."knewandhe15ageatpoetry,fortalenthisWithlife.hisinearlythefromawardanwonwhichpoemasubmitteda becamehimself Hugo1841,InFrance.deAcademie
Academie.theof memberparticipatedhe1848,of revolutiontheAfter
He Judiciary.andlegislaturetheof Assembliestheinpol-his butfreedom,of defensethefororatoranwas
oppo-inwerefreedomdefendedwhichinterestsiticaltofirsthimdrewandgovernmentthentheof sition
laterthenyears,19forFrancefromexileinawayliveFrenchallowingforBrusselsfromexpelled betowashelaterButhome.hisinsheltertaketorefugees
birth.hisof landthetoreturntoable century19ththeinlaterFranceBecauseandpoliticalthethroughspiritnationalitsdisplayed
throughmanifestedHugo,Victorof influenceculturalandqualityquantity,inwasitasabundantwork,histhe byoutcarriedwasfuneralnationalavariety,hisand1885indiedHugowhengovernmentFrench
Paris.inPantheontheininterredthereafterwas body
publishedHugolifetime,hisDuring poetry;aswellasnovelsandplaysworks:numerouspar-poignancy,sentiment,thoughts,deepinrichall
´roman-theto belongedHevalues.hiddenandablessentimentportrayedwhichliteratureof schooltic’
of Tworule.anytoconformtohavingwithoutfreely"Lesaretodaypopularstillworksrenownedmosthis
Paris."deDame"NotreandMiserables,"
abilitytheinHugoequaledhavewritersFewwordsindrawtoandconditionhumantheanalyzeto
characters.of varietyasuchaasguidesandonlivesspiritHugo´sVictor
Hugocommunity;CaoDaitheof activitiesthe beaconoverseastheof saintpatronthenamed beenhas
itsforimpetusthe beenhasandCaoDai,of spreadhecontactspiritualthethroughWesttheinexpansion
years.theoverCaoDaiof disciplesgrantedhasSPIRITINHUGOVICTOR
of bodylegislativetheof headthe1927,InviaDaiCao byorderedwasTac,CongPhamCaoDai,theestablishtospiritismthroughcontactspiritual
Cambodia.Penh,PhnominMissionForeignCaoDaiCaoMr.atstayedandPenhPhnomtowentPham
inCaoMr.of told beenhadPhamhome.Trong´sDuc himknownnothadandGod,frommessagesthesetheCaoMr.torelatedPham journey.histoprior
whichSaigoninreceivedMessagesHolytheof powersectnewly-formedtheguidetoteachingsgivenhadses-asuchupsettoPhamaskedCaoMr.CaoDai.of hisof cooperationtheenjoinedandspiritism,of sion
DangMr.andVinhQuangTranMr.neighbors,
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 28/42
55BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO54
miracu-producedsessionensuingTheChu.Trungresults.loussessionsthetocamepeoplemoreandMorelives.personaltheirforadviceask towantingalltheirwhenandpaperonquestionstheirputTheyinkneelandforwardstepwouldtheycame,turn
theirwhileprayedandtable,coNgoctheof frontEachhead.theiraboveheldwasquestionwritten
gavethatnametheirwithstartingpoemareceivedlevelhighThisquestions.theirtoanswersexactingtheintopeoplemanyattracttoservedinformation
faith.ses-theseattendedwhospiritstheAmongViet-theunderhimself presentedwhoonewassions
reveal-laterNhon,ChonTamNguyetnamenameseinHugoVictorthanothernone beenhadhethating
Hugo,Victorof spiritthehe,thatandlife,formerhistheestablishtoDaiCaofromorderanreceivedhad
CaoDaithethatwasitSoMission.ForeignCaoDaihead,titularitsasHugoVictorwithMission,Foreign
Cambo-Penh,Phnominthereandtheninitiatedwastoday,untoevenandperiod,ensuingtheOverdia.
discipleswithcommunicatetocontinuesHugoVictor
byheldsessionstheof daysearlytheInDai.Caoof TranthatrevealedalsoHugoTran,andCaoPham,Francoisson,ownhisof incarnatetheactuallywasfuture brightveryahavewouldTranthatandHugo,
incredulouswasTranInitiallyfortune.andfamewithsimpleawashetimethatatasprophecy,thisof proveditHowever,income.lowverywithsecretary
totraveledTranwhen1930in beginninglater,true
renowned becomingCaoDai,propagatetoFrance UnitedtheatandCongressFrenchtheat bothcometoopportunitythehadTran1942,InNations.
CaoDaiof leaderthe becameandVietnamto back indeedleadershipthisfromexperiencesTheArmy.
of ministerasservetochosenlater betohimhelped1948-1951.fromgovernmentBaoDaitheof defense
******Hugo:VictorfrommessagesspiritualThe
"patrontheremainsHugoVictorday,thisToViet-of outsideactivitiesDaiCaoof were,itassaint,"
considered.highlystillaremessagespastHisnam.Hothe betweenDialogue1930:20th,April
Hugo:VictorandPhapinformationreceivetolikewouldIPhap:Ho
powersHisandMasterouraboutHugo:Victor
(Verses)mysteryinsteepedquestionaaskYou
understoodcorrectlynever yetasked,Eternally
exist.universescountlessthatInfinitethein perceiveI
enormousaretheysize,whateverOf
ontakesworldsthoseonlifeBut own.ourto formsimilar
advancedmoreissystemsworldtheseof One
evolution;ethicalandspiritualof standpointtheFrom
nowisoursasstatesimilara fromadvancedhaveThey
forward.movetocontinue And
Beauty,continualreign firmamentstheseUpon
Divine, part, greaterthe forare, peopleTheir
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 29/42
57BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO56
world,theirinsupremereignharmonyandPeace war.wordthenotknowinhabitantsthe And
absolute;isallrelative,isnothingthem,To
virtue;emulatesoulsnobleTheir
production.onlytheirwisdomandScience
frailties,mortalsupersedesspirittheThere,
law.of needthewithout prosperworldstheir And
understanding;spiritualbyachievedisUnion
consciousness.highthroughovercomeisDeaththem.tosamethebutarelifeandDeath
universally;exaltedisLoveOverriding
sanctity.inmergebeingslivingandSouls
bountytheshareweexistenceof planecertainaOn
connection.harmonicthisof
appreciatetoablebewill youSomeday,
Earththewhenexistence,ansuchof valuethe
state.highsimilarlyato progressedhasthesehaveEarththewillWhenPhap:Ho
benefits?Hugo:Victor
(verses)comprehendmay youthatorderIn
evolution,spiritualof processthe
expressionspiritualausetohaveI understand.will you
purgatory,of stagesthroughadvancemustYou
waylongahaveblessedtheEven
enlightenment.reachto goto
naturethecomprehendtoorderIn
Spirit, Highesttheof
levelsamethattoevolvemustOne
understand. fullyto comprehend;tobeginevencanspiritlesserNo
makeonlycouldBuddhatheEven
matter.theonsuppositions
comprehendmust yousaydon’tI
you,tellingamI thatall
fromthoughtsreflectssayI What
point.vantagespirits’the
Holies,of Holythethatmomenta forSupposeuniverses.theseof oneinlifeahadonce Also
matter,of realmthethroughlengthatPassing
sage;amortal;became He
upwardadvancedtherefrom And
level,Divinetheunto
Creation.of mysterytheintolastatEntering
power,spiritualin gaininglives,successiveThrough
theintotransformingFinallyscience.andwisdomof Master
allegiance,of coreaintospiritsof bestthe Attracting
passed.theytogetherInfinityof bordertheacross And
ahasHeCreator)theto(ReferringPhap:Hoown?Hisof heavenHugo:Victor
(Verses) domainsoulownourwithinareusof eachasYes,
force.lifespiritualownourof productaisWhich
ownourtostateskarmiccomplementaryof Those
environs.our populateandus Accompany
trustworthy,necessarilynotareThese
fulfill,toagendasowntheir Having
shouldersownouruponisitThus
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 30/42
59BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO58
ourselves.redeemto lives.ourintoevilinvitesimpureourselvesLeaving
emerges,Satanof spectrethewhenceisThis
this,realizewe facts, faceweIf
plan.God´sin placeahasSatanFor
unpurifiedourelement,thatBy
strife,ourallcauseattributes
caprice. pureorenvy, jealousy,Through
...hand, yourincrampaPhap, Hohave,You
tomorrow...’tiltalkouroff putusLet
RepriseGenesis,theof discussionmycontinueI
seek. youinformationthe you givetoorderIn
...
darknessandvoidabsoluteof placeainOnce,
stirred,hadevernothingwhichInstate, gaseous primalainBeing
lethargic.and germsomnolentSlept
moved,matternorlived yetcreaturenoWhere
state.dormantain frozenheldbeeneternally Having
"water"theof naturethethisIsPhap:Ho"Genesis"?Christiantheinof spoken
Hugo:Victor(Verses)hydrogen,astoreferredbecanitchemicallyYes,
whichthatof densitiesVarious
life.of coreinnerbasicthe forms
hoveredGodof forceanimatingThe
"water," primalthisover
thesewhichinsensetheisThis
understood.bemustwords...
power, AstralindescribableGod´s
Light,callshallwewhich
these.asmaterialsinertsuch fromlife forthBrought
produced,wasoxygenof layer A
reaction,explosivewithhydrogenthe Meeting
fusioncosmicaaboutbringingdetonationThis
bornwas fireDivinetheWherein formed.waterholyand
elements,twotheseof effecttheUnder
transformed.wasall
liquidsthenand gasof elements primordialtheFrom
vitalitya properly,moreoremerged,Life
death.andlifecallwewhatbothencompassing
apparent,alreadymarvelstheBy
discover!toleftiswhatImagineGod,of levelthe fromcomesWhatever
comprehension.humanbeyondnearlyIs
outward,vastlyexpanded firedivinely-fedtheBut
distant,infinitelynebulaeitsCasting
Universetheof reaches farthetomatterSending
detail.theirallin planetsandsuns formeditWhere
renewal.anddecompositionof cyclesenduresIt animatedisitexists,lifeeversowhere And
God.of MindandLighttheby
densities,of spectrumaontakessubstanceDivineThe
pure,lessor More
form,differentatakesdensityeach And
ether,orair flesh,orstoneitBe
purity.vibrationalitsto According
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 31/42
61BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO60
creatures.alltoapportionedisIntellect refined,lessormore portionastate,theirto According
body,the forasSoul;thewithtooisitThus
condition.itsdeterminesthatvitality’Tis
...
understood.have yourestThe
here.stopI
Mas-ourfromcomesallif Pardon,Phap:Ho
observewedothenWhyperfect. bemustallter,nature?inimperfection
imperfections?theseareWhatHugo:Victorexplanations?someyougiveIMay
of uselessnessandwickednessThePhap:HoTheirvegetables.andanimals,men,aswellas beings,
appreciated.reasonably becannot beingforcauseHugo:Victor
(Verses)nature.inuselessorwickedisNothing
nourishment.receivemustallalive,stayTo
Children, HislovesardentlyLordGoodThe
love, greatthisthrough And
means.thewith providedarethey
sufferings,them forcreates He progress,theirFor
defense.of means givenalsothey´reBut pious?trulymanaworldthisinseen you Have
them!tousefularetheyus,towickedbetheyThough
aretheyasbecomesages greatourdid How
history?humanof pagesthebyrevealed As
strong,theandweakthebetweenstruggle fierce A
victors.theoftenmoreare fortitude greatestof Those
polaritiestwothebetweenstruggleThe
marchupwardantoLeads realizations.wiseandideasOf
relative; purelyisworlddearOur
qualifications.onlyareuselessandWicked
place;ahasusof each globe,thisOn
classrooms,butarelivesallworlds, All
spirits,our forschoolathereforeisuniverseThe
study.erudite foritattendWho
courses,their failwhoThoseagain.lessonsthestudyandthem,repeat Must
booketernalthereadtohopespirits All
thatwisdomtheholdsThat
immortal.themmakeshould
usbeforetasktheaccomplishtois goalThe
parts.ouroneffortandtimetakesWhich
puritydivinetoworldmaterialtheFrom
Eternity.intoleadingroadaIsself,trueof realizationtheisresultThe
be.tohowknowtoconscience,through And
reason;itshascharacteristicsindifferenceThe
comparisons.makinginaidan’Tis
studies; yourintolerance great forroom Make
aptitude.theirtoaccordingspiritstheClassify
humanarewhothoseseparateSimply divine.littleaalreadythoseFrom
totheseof besttheRecruit
humanity.upliftingof taskthe
unenlightenedspirituallytheteachtomeansallUse
shortcomingsany fordistasteshowingWithout
them;in perceivemay you
souls!theirof advancementtheof onlyThink
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 32/42
63BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO62
humanity givetoorderinalwaysLove Eternity.andLoveverities:twoThese
dif-areMastertheandFatherThePhap:HoMas-of titlethealsotakeFatherourdoesWhyferent.
ter?Hugo:Victor
(Verses) Master,andFathertimesametheatis He
beings.allcome Him fromBecausethatwithbodyournourishes He
formsourtousefuliswhich
divine.iswhatof spiritourupmakes And
wisdom;andscienceisall HimIn
work,unceasing Hisissoulof Progress
eyes Hisin jewelslatentarematerialsVile
Saints.intoreconstructs Hespirits,Vile
power. His Justicerule, HisisLovevice.theof noneandvirtue,thebutknows He
vitality.children Histo gives HeFather:
divinity.own Histhemonbestows He Master:
******prophecies?ownitshaveCaoDaiDoes
andupheavalspoliticalthrough1975,Since betocamedisciplesCaoDaithearrangement,divinethereceivedtheywherebyworld,theoverallspreadalltofaithCaoDaiinvaluablethe bringtomission
humanity.socialisttheunderVietnam,inMeanwhile
theparalyzed:totally becameCaoDaigovernment,forbidden.spiritismdissolved;wasstructurefaith´s
takenotcouldTaotheof spreadingtheforActivities devotionandpeaceforloveferventaHavingplace.formtogatheredhavedisciplesCaoDaiTao,thetogoalthewithworldtheoverallorganizationsCaoDaithe bringingof andoverseasfaiththemaintainingof thefrommessageaasexactlyhumanity,alltoTao
1926:inforetoldBeingSupremeVerses:
people, Myon,nowFromdivided.thricebenotshall you
youunitewill MasterYour
tarry. you´llwherehavenonein
dispersed,beenhaveSouthandNorthWhen
coincided,have fates yourand
the forthbringshallYou
carry.to you givenhaveI Tao
mainthreethetorefersdivided""thriceThetheundernowunitedwerewhichVietnaminfaiths
CaoDai.of roof samemeanstarry"you´llwherehaven"oneThewaitingareallVietnamfromrefugeesformerthethatnexttheforcountryowntheiroutsidegroupaasfaith.theirandlivestheirof developmenttheinstage beenhaveSouthandNorth"Whenoverallfrompeoplethatfactthetorefersdispersed"
within bothspreadhavecountrysideVietnamesetherefuge.forcountriesothertoandcountryowntheir
torefers"coincided,"havingfatestheirByhavesocietyof stratasallfrompeoplethatfacttheandrefugees becomingassuchfatessamethemettheirof knowledgethespreadtotogetherworking
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 33/42
65BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO64
lands.farawayinfaith toyougivenhave"IWay)(GreatTaoThemessagetheasandCaoDai;courseof iscarry"
messengersasservingarepeopleDai´sCaoaffirms,Viet-ineventstheshouldthat,wayainpaththeirof hadhavenotwouldtheyhappened,havenotnamtoaffirmingisMastertheSodo.toopportunitythe
those behindpurposeistherethatdisciplesHis
iswhichhappens,thateverythingindeedandevents,understanding.andforesighthumanour beyond
Cao-amongpropheciessuchmanyareThereaswellasfulfilled beenalsohavewhichmessagesDai
fulfilled. betowaitwhichthose
****** Jesus?worshipCaoDaiDoes
Christtheof divinitytherecognizesCaoDaiprincipalandoriginaltheof oneisChristianityand JesusworshipCaoDaistsManyCaoDai.of elements
symbolstheof Oneform.humaninDivinetheastheof figurethehashomesprivateof altartheatused
Christ.
******Islam?torelateCaoDaidoesHow
basicthewithagreewholeheartedlyWeotherInGod." butGodnois"ThereIslam:of tenet
worship-simplyallareweandOne,isGodwords,Power.sametheof manifestationsdifferentping
******
inGoddessMothertheofroletheisWhatCaoDai?
TseLaoChing,TeTaotheof IChapterInstates:
Tao,UniversalthenotistoldbecanwhichTaoThe
notisnamedbecanwhichnameThe
Name,Eternalthe
universe;theof fountainheadtheisnamelessThe
beings.allof MothertheisnamedTheman-theasseenisGoddesstheCaoDai,In(yin)worldoutertheof embodimentandifestationwewords,otherInUniverse.entiretheincludingownourHerwithoutandform,HerwithinexistthenotthisIspossible. benotwouldmanifestationsandpropertiesHerMother?aof definitiontrueOurmanifest:andvisibleiswhichthatisdomain
itwhichvisibleeverythingandworldour bodies,HercontainscomplextempleCaoDaiEverycontains.Cao-Creatrix.ourasworshippedisSheandtemple,theoccasions;churchforwhitewearadherentsDaithesymbolizesclothingwhitesimpleof donningaswellasmother,aof eyestheinchildrenof equality
to.aspirewerealmesoterictheof puritythetheBeing,SupremeThefromisspiritOur
Almighty.SpiritualtheUnseen,theElement,Yangyetreach;tostrivewewhatisHomeSpiritualThatwewhichinpointthisatMotherourtoclosestareweustoeverythingprovidesShepresence.physicalhavewewhenilluminationspiritualof pointthatuntil
enlighten-reachandIsThatAllThewithone becomelivesphysicalourof elementmaintheisShement;
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 34/42
67BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO66
Being,SupremetheSource,ourtoreturnedweuntilSelf.Trueourof cultivation bycontinues:ChingTeTaoThe
Mystery;thecomprehendcanonedesire,no Having
manifestations.theseesinsteadonedesiring,Ever
fromspringrealitiestwoThese
name;indifferbutsourcesamethe
darknesswithinDarknessdarkness.asappearsThis
mystery!allto gateTheGoddessthepicturedhaveweworldtheIn
usetocontinuewillweCaoDaiinandforms,manyinthetoOneisGodasforworship;of symbolsthoseall
namesmyriadthewithAsGoddess.issoCaoDaist,them.withrepleteistooSheGod,of
One;asAllseeweCaoDai,of traditiontheInarewe butone,alsoareFatherandMother bothtruly
twoof nature,veryourindual beings,twin-elementmatteraasandgenders,twoand brainstwoandeyeswhichalldifferentiatetowayafindwillwecourseof Theus.createdwhichthatuntoevenus,surroundsthatof isIsThatAllThethatisrealityunadulterated
All-EncompassingOneof Element,Singleelusivegender.noandMind,Oneof Eye,
******Karma.andReincarnationdeath.andLife
beinghumaneachthatpropoundsCaoDailikeeverlastingiswhichonespiritualalives:twohasisspirit being´shumana becauseBeingSupremethelifephysicalaandspirit;Being´sSupremetheof part
spiritthe byusediswhichandtemporaryiswhich
Supremethewithunificationtowardevolutionitsforlifeof schoolaasconsideredisearthTheBeing. byprogresstolearnspirits beings’humanwhere
experiencesandknowledge,education,of means being body,physicalThe body.physicalthethroughsuffersandtemporaryonlyismatter,of comprisedthisleavetohasspiritThetime.withdeathandweartoanddeathphysicalviasometime bodyphysical
evolution.itscontinuetorebirthvia bodyanotheruselifethisof experiencesandknowledge,education,All
intel-person´stheuponinfluenceof factors bewouldlifenexttheinexperiencesandknowledge,ligence,
experiencesandknowledgeearlyexplainwouldandMozart,Beethoven,assuchindividualsingeniousof BinhNguyenandWest,theincetera,etEinstein,
StrikingVietnam.incetera,etDon,QuiLeKhiem,
andauthorsmany bydescribedvu""dejaof examplesLama,Dalaitheof livesthefromexperiencestheof
previousinusedtheyobjectsrecognizingassuchreincarnationthetoattributableisincarnations,
phenomenon.livetogatewaytheisdeathCaoDai,ToonDependingprogression.spiritualforlifeanothermayspirithumanaevolution,spiritualof levelone´spro-toormorelearntoearthonreincarnatetohave
dimensions.othertoongresslawthis justice,andloveislawdivinetheAstoorderinfollowtospirittheforrulegoldentheis
wouldyouasothersunto"Dois: Justiceprogress.otherstodonot"Door,you,"untodothemhaveruleThisyou."todotootherswantnotdoyouwhat
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 35/42
69BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO68
one´sof resultstheandKarma,calledalsois justiceof states:BibletheAsmeaning.KarmicontakeactionswhyexplainsKarmareap.?yeshallsosow,ye"Asaassufferingscertainsustaintohave beingshuman
unfavorableormisdeedscertaincommittingof resultOneearth.thisonsins)calledalsoare(whichactionstoissinandsufferingsfromdetached betoway
practicing byandothersto justiceandloveobserve
self-cultivation.
******Forces?MilitaryhaveCaoDaiDoes
Mili-"CaoDaiasknownForcesMilitaryThereli-CaoDaiof organizationannotareForces"taryforcesmilitaryaof mentionnoistherefact,Ingion.anyMoreover,constitution.andpolicyCaoDaiin
poli-anyinparticipatetowantswhodiscipleCaoDaithatpositionthefromresigntohasorganizationtic
militaryTheSacerdoce.CaoDaiinholdshe/shenationalistsCaoDaiof groupa byformedwereforces
CaoDaiprotecttolaterandFrenchtheagainstfighttoMinh.Vietthefromdisciples
wasthatcountryainfoundedwasCaoDaiitsof Certaincolonialization.Frenchtheunder
nation-weretimethatatVietnameseotherasleaders,ininvolvedpersonallylessormorewereandalists
authoritiescolonialThemovements.anti-Frenchtheespe-distrustextremewithCaoDaiviewedtherefore
popularandexpansionrapiditsof becauseciallythearrestedFrenchthe1941,Inmasses.thetoappeal
leaders,CaoDaiotherandTacCongPhamPhapHo
CaoDaiallclosedandMadagascar,tothemexiledCaoDaiaVinh,QuangTranMr.1942,Intemples.
congregation,PenhPhnomtheof headand bishop JapanesethewithcooperatedVietnam,toreturned
toforcemilitaryaformedsecretlyandPolice,SecretFrench.thefight
the byarmedForces,MilitaryCaoDaioverturningd’etatcouptheinparticipated Japanese,
JapanesetheAfter1945.MarchinFrenchtheForcesMilitaryCaoDai1945,AugustinsurrenderendedwhichMinh,VietthewithalliancelooseahadthetosurrenderedForcesCaoDaiwhenlatershortlythewithnegotiatedthenVinhQuangTranFrench.TacCongPhamof releasetheforauthoritiesFrenchtheforconditionstheof oneasMadagascarfrom
French.thewithForcesCaoDaitheof cooperation
the byarmedwereForcesMilitaryCaoDaithen,Sincedisci-CaoDaiof protectionsolida becameandFrenchUnderMinh.Vietthe bymassacred beingfromplesMili-CaoDai1956,ingovernment,Diem´sDinhNgothewithassimilatedanddisbandedwereForcestary
Forces.VietnameseSouthMilitaryCaoDaitheof establishmentThe
bytaughtconceptlovetheagainsttotallyisForceshowever,army,thefoundedwhoThoseDai.Cao
tohelpmayarmyanof presencethethatreasonedmassacred. beingfromdisciplesCaoDaiprotect
returnuponTac,CongPhamPhapHoTheasForcesMilitaryCaoDaitoreferredhadexile,from
whichheartone´sinsidefire(theHoa"Muoi"TammovedthereforeHeoneself).destroyand burnmay
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 36/42
71BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO70
City.Holytheof outHeadquartersMilitaryCaoDaiCao-theof assimilationtheafterfact,of matteraAs
VietnameseSouththewithForcesMilitaryDaiformerthePhuong,ThanhNguyenGeneralForces,DinhNgounderForces,MilitaryCaoDaitheof leadertrytoSeeHolytheto back comehaddirection,Diem
CaoDaiDiem,DinhNgoToTac.CongPhamarrestandloveof principleitssincethreata becomehad
andmassesthetoappealpopularaconstitutedunitySouththeandNorththe bothcalledhadCaoDaisince beandtogethergettogovernmentsVietnameseincountryuniqueaformtoothereachwithunitedtohadsubsequentlyTacCongPhampeace.andlove
yearsseveralawaypassedhewhereCambodiatofleelater.
a justwereForcesMilitaryCaoDaitheThus,
French,theof becausecreatedphenomenontemporalFrenchtheof endthewithdissolvedfinallythenandnotdoesreligionCaoDaiVietnam.incolonialization
force.militaryaforprovide
CONCLUSION
anisCaoDaiorDoPhoKyTamDaoDaiItsVietnam.infoundedpathspiritualintegrative
principle,sameonehavereligions"Allis,principleallandUniverse"theandorigin,"sameoneand
diverseItsSpirit."God´swith bestowedarethingsspiritualallinpersonsallallowteachingsspiritual
truethataffirmsCaoDaiit.inrefugefindtostates
andearthonharmonytoleadwould justiceandloveliberation.spiritualindividualfor basisthealsoare
RELI-TOWAYPRACTICALACAODAI,EARTH.ONPEACETOANDUNITYGIONS’
theetodoneif whichotherstonotDo
Hinduism. pain.theecausewould
yourself youthatwayinothersnot Hurt
Buddhism.hurtful. findwould
isGodasanyonewithenmitycreateDon’t
Sikhism.everyone.within
notiswhichthatallothersuntodonotDo
Zoroasterianism.oneself. forwell
grief,and joyinsuffering,andhappinessIn
regardweascreaturesallregardshouldwe
Jainism.self.ownour
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 37/42
73BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO72
notwouldstthouwhatothersuntodonotDo
Judaism.thee.untodothey
doothershavewould youasothersuntoDo
Christianity. you.unto
notdo youif faiththehavetruly youof None
youwhichthatbrother your fordesire
Islam. yourself. fordesire
Wicca.will. youwhatdonone,harmsitIf
wantnotdo youwhatothersuntodonotDoConfucianism. you.untodotoothers
wishnotwould yewhichloadasoulanyonnotLay
theanyone fornotdesireand youuponlaidbeto
Baha´i. yourself. fordesirenotwould youthing
muchhowof presencetheinwonderitIsn’taswellasindividualanIf common?inhavereligionsonereligions,others’studytotimetakesreligiona
truthuniqueone butaretheythatrealizewouldways.differentunderexpressed beenhaswhich
situa-currentthisinmoment,currentthisAtto justisCaoDaiof existencetheworld,theof tion
RELI-ALLthatreligionsallandhumanityremindONEOFANDORIGIN,SAMEONEOFAREGIONS broth- justarehumanitythatandPRINCIPLESAMEpeopleIf creator.fathersameoneof sistersandersother´seachowntheironstudyandreadtoopenare
incommunitiesreligiousothercontacttoorreligions,perhapsandleadersreligiousthetotalk toareastheir
con-a buildsimplytowellasfaithfultheof sometothisthem, betweenunderstandingof dialoguetinuing
againstweaponpowerfulmostthelikely bewouldmanyhopefullyandintolerance,andhatred
churchvariousaddition,Inresult.willfriendshipsreli-differentwheremeetingsorganizecouldgroups
invited, becouldspeakersdiscussed, becouldgions becouldtraditionsdifferentof musicandvideos bewouldhumans betweenunderstandingshown,
communi-forprojectscharitycouldAlso,enhanced.everyoneof participationwithestablished beties
sooriginsethnictheirandreligions,theirregardless
needies,theforcompassionandlovethroughthateachtocloserandcloser becomewouldhumanssolidaasthem betweendevelopwouldloveother,found besubsequently bewouldpeaceand bond,
inprogressivelythenandfirst,atindividuals betweenearth.onfinallyandcommunitieslocal
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 38/42
75BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO74
GLOSSARY
AAA: alpha-Vietnameseof lettersthreefirstThetheinnameHisasBeingSupremethe byused bet,
disci-initialHisguidetoorderinsessionsspiritualpath.CaoDaithetoples
Mazda:Ahura SupremethefornameZoroastrianBeing.
Allah: Being.SupremethefornameIslamic
Baha´i: byinitiatedmovementreligiousABah´ isGodsincethatteachesIt1844.inau´llah
onlyknown becanHecomprehension,our beyonde.g.,manifestations,Histhrough
Mohammed. Jesus,Moses,
BaoDai: Vietnam.of emperorlastTheBuddhism: theGautama, bycreatedpaththe
orenlightenment,tohumanityguidesthatBuddha,(Nirvana),All/Nothingnesswithonenessthesuffering,of causestheof understandinganThrough
study).(karmicDharmaandmeditation,Tho:Can whereVietnamSouthinprovincea
esoterismCaoDaithedevelopedChieuVanNgoVi.VoMinhChieucalled
words):(twoDaiCao meansliterallyDai""Cao
HighonAbodeorPalaceSupremeorpalacehighDaiCaophrasetheFiguratively,reigns).God(whereandname,symbolicGod´sasusediswords)(two
taught. beingpaththeasword)(oneCaoDaiTrong:DucCao Caoof disciplesinitialtheof One
Dai.Sang:HoaiCao Caoof disciplesinitialtheof One
Dai.
Cu:QuynhCao Caoof disciplesinitialtheof OneDai.word):(oneCaoDai CaoDaism,asknownAlso
theDai,CaowithonenessthetoleadsthatpaththeBeing.Supreme
Giao:NgoaiCaoDai whichexoterismCaoDailoveinlifesecularpeacefulalivetohumanityguides
justice.and
Giao:NoiCaoDai whichesoterismCaoDaionenessreachtocultivateself tohumanityguides
Being.SupremethewithCaoDaism: CaoDaiSee
Khi:orChi ThanKhiTinhSeeenergy.VitalChristianity: Cao-Vietnamese bydefinedAs
Juda-of religionstheforusedterm blanketaDaists,Islam.andChristianityism,
Ly:GiaoThongPhoQuanCo organiza-CaoDaiteachings.CaoDaispreadingfortion
Confucianism: Confucius bytaughtpathTheof orderpeacefulacreatetopurposethewith
life.secularhumanity´sBCE):(551-479Confucius philosopherChinese
peacefulthetogreatlycontributedteachingwhose
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 39/42
77BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO76
standardataughtHelife.secularhumanity´sof orderotherstodonot"Do Jesus:of teachingsthetosimilarHisyourself."todone betowishnotdoyouwhataremainsconductsocietalandfamilialof standard
untoevenEast,theacrossinfluencewidespreadtoday.
Do:PhoKyTamDaoDai PhoKyTamDaoDaiGreattheTao,theof RevelationThirdThemeansDo
CaoDai.asknownotherwiseWay, Chu:TrungDang of disciplesinitialtheof OneDai.Cao
Hau:Duc,Dieu, Dai.Caoof disciplesinitialDinh: consist-meditationof stepstheamongoneconcentration.of ing
Eye:Divine therepresentingsymboltheCaoDai,of symboltheasusedandBeing,Supreme
path.theTo:LaoPhuongDong (incarna-lifepreviousa
Tse.Laoof tion)(eso:Esoterism self-cultivationof wayAinner):
humanityhelpswhichself,innerthetoreturning byBeing.Supremethewithonenessreach
(exo:Exoterism guideswhichwayAouter):loveinothereachwithharmonyinlivetohumanity
justice.andDay:ConventionFlower Judg-thetoEquivalent
Christianity.of DaymentGautama: whichBuddha,TheasknownAlso
mid-thefromlivedwhoone"enlightened"anmeansini-whoandBCE,centurymid-sixththetoseventh
Buddhism.of beginningthetiated
Tong:Giao Exe-theDai,TrungCuutheof headexoterism.CaoDaiof Branchcutive
Tuat:Giap dog.theof yearHinduism: philo-andreligionof bodydiverseA
Supremeain belief awithIndiainoriginatingsophyholdswhichandnaturesandformsmanyof Beingoneof aspectsaretheologiesopposingthatviewthefromliberationfordesireahavingandtrutheternal
beliefsTheserealization.spiritualintoevilsearthly GautamaThe byBuddhismintorefinedfurtherwerehigh-rankingato bornwaswhoSiddhartha,Buddha,
family.HinduPhap:Ho Leg-TheDai,ThienHieptheof head
inTranslatedexoterism.CaoDaiof BranchislativeCaoDaism.of "Pope"theastextsCaoDaisome
Hu: tocontraryand beyondreality,ultimateThe
actuallyis(which"reality"asconsiderwewhatinvisi-isHureal.theof contraryTheillusory/Maya).
eternal.andeverlasting ble,Humanism: Confucianism, bycreatedpathThe
secularpeacefulahavetohumanityguidetoSocrateslife.
Immortal: whosomeonetoTaoist bygivenTitleself-cultivation. byimmortalityreaches
Islam: Mohammed byfoundedreligionTheone-theandsovereigntytheemphasizing(570-632)
Being.SupremetheAllah,of ness Judaism: Abra-torootsitstracingreligionThe
of BeingSupremesingleain believeswhichham,unspeak-isNameHisthatgloryandgreatnesssuchprinciplesethicalandspiritualitshavingandable,
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 40/42
79BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO78
AsTalmud.theandBibletheinchieflyembodiedintoHinduismrefinedfurtherwhoBuddha,Thewith
Judaic-borntheBuddhism,asknownnowiswhatfurtherChrist)The becometolater(Joshua,Yeshuaknownnowiswhatinto Judaismof beliefstherefined
Christianity.aslaw:Karmic theof complementspiritualThe
andequalanhasactioneverythatprinciplescientific
righte-and balanceof principlethereaction;opposite statefutureperson´sathatholdswhichousnessthetocomparedislawThisdeed.presentondependssosow,ye"AsBible,Christiantheinfoundconcept
reap."yeshallKhi: the?threeof oneenergy,vitaltheChi,The
ThanKhiTinhalsoSee being.humantheof gems?Cong:ThaiKhuong Shintoism.of Representative
BCE):century(sixthTseLao of ContemporaryandChingTeTaotheof authortheandConfucius,
Taoism.of foundertheMon:NhapLe Ceremony.GatewayThe
(1726-1784):DonQuiLe scholarVietnameseAgenius.asconsiderediswho
(1875-1934):TrungVanLe disci-initialtheof OneActingthewasHeDai.Caoof ples
Exe-theDai,TrungCuutheofheadTong,Giao
to1926fromexoterismCaoDaiofBranchcutive
1934.
(701-760):BachThaiLy theof scholarChineseaCaoDai.of TongGiaotheisspiritHisdynasty.T’ang
Quai:ThietLy China.ancientof ImmortalAnMacrocosm: byconsideredBeing,SupremeThe
light.DivinetheasZoroasterianismtheMaster: Himself consideredBeingSupremeThe
being.humanof MastertheasMeditate: whichself-cultivationof techniquea
Being.Supremethewithonenessthetoleadmay(571-632):Mohammed Islam.of founderThe
Moses: Judaism.of founderTheGoddess:Mother theof counterpartThe
crea-theforresponsibleas believedBeing,Supreme world.visibletheof tionNaf-matmainnah: human´sfornameMuslimThe
spirit.Phap:MoNam teach-HolythetoCommitment
ings.Phat:MoNam theBuddha,toCommitment
Being.Supreme
Tang:MoNam humanity.toCommitment(1901-1963):DiemDinhNgo presidentfirstThe
1954-1963.fromVietnamof (1978-1932):ChieuVanNgo of disciplefirstThe
Dai.Caoco:Ngoc communicationinuseddeviceA
Spirits.Superiorand beingshuman between(1492-1587):KhiemBinhNguyen Vietnamese
ashimself revealingprophet,famousandLaureateStanza)Cloud(WhiteDongVanBachof MastertheVictoristhemamongdisciples,asSaintsmanywith
Hugo.Phuong:ThanhNguyen Mili-CaoDaiof leaderA
Forces.taryNhon:ChonTamNguyet (1802-HugoVictoror
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 41/42
81BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO80
throughhimself revealingpoet,famedFrench1885),Nhon,ChonTamNguyetof nametheunderspiritism
Mission.ForeignCaoDaitheof chief spiritualthePhat:CoDangNhien oldanBuddha,Dipankara
Buddha.timeOneness: with.one becomingof StatusOomoto: infoundedorganization JapaneseA
religionsallthatprinciplethewithspiritism by1892
origin.sameonehavePerispirit: humanof gemsthreetheof One"Khi."asknownalso beings,
am:cucPhach theof roottheatcenterRegulatingspine.
duong:cucPhach of toptheatcenterRegulatinghead.the
hoa:cungPhach hearttheatcenterRegulating
center).fire(thedinh:haPhach umbil-theatcenterRegulating
icus.(1890-1959):TacCongPham initialtheof One
Thien"Hieptheof chief theandDai,Caoof discipleexoterism.CaoDaiof branchlegislativetheDai,"
thai:Pham fetus.humanQuoc:Phu Siam.of gulf theinislandanHy:Phuc China,ancientof kingaShi,Fuor
andprincipleYangandYindiscoverhaveto believedI-Ching.theof authorthe beto
Muni:Sakya Gautama.See-realization:Self wis-of statusaEnlightenment,
self.understandingdom,Nong:Sen Vietnam.ancientof kinga
Shintoism: thatpathaGeniism,asknowalsoser-andnaturetorespectprogress,individualguides
humanity.toviceSpiritism: betweencommunicationof meansA
Spirits.Superiortheand beingshumanmessages:Spiritual Spir-SuperiorfromMessages
its.andONEtheGod,(AlmightyBeingSupreme
Dai"):Cao"DucasCaoDaiinknownGod;ONLY anduniversetheof Creatorthe beto believedBeinglife.allof
Hoa:MuoiTam beinghumanof insidefromFireferocity.hostility,temper,hotanger,forresponsible
CaoDai:phapTan CaoDaiof techniquenewThemeditation.forTao: Way.The
Ching:TeTao theandWaytheabout book TheTaoistof popularandknownwidelymostthevirtue,
texts.Taoism: guidingTseLao bycreatedWayThe
nature,toaccordingliveto beinghumanforquesttheandalchemywithYangandYin
immortality.
Quan:DaoThuongThai Laoof lifepreviousTheTse.
Than: Than.KhiTinhSeeSpirit.thai:Thanh fetus.spiritualorHoly
Theosophy: Theosophicaltheof teachingsthetheof nucleusaformingof goalthewithSociety
distinc-withoutHumanityof BrotherhoodUniversalcolor.orcaste,sex,creed,race,of tion
8/14/2019 A Religion of Unity
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-religion-of-unity 42/42
83BECKNGASHA&(M.D.)BUIDACHUMUNITYOFRELIGIONADAI,CAO82
Thien: medita-of steptheof onedown,Quietingtion.
The:NhatDongVatVanDiaThien Heaven,Thesameoneof arethingsthousandtenandEarth,the
constitution.dinh:Thien Meditation.Nhan:Thien Eye.Divine
Tinh: humanof bodyphysicalthematter,Vital
Than.KhiTinhSee being. Than:Khi,Tinh, humanof mattervitaltheTinh,spirit,theThan,andenergy,vitaltheKhi, being,CaoDai being.humanof gemsthreetherepresent
KhiTinh,of onenessthetoleadwouldmeditationspiritthespirit,holyaof formationtheThan,
Being.Supremethewithonenessthe beto believedVinh:QuangTran thedignitaries,CaoDaiof One
Force.MilitaryCaoDaitheof founderVegetarianism: meat.eatingwithoutNutrition
Hugo:Victor poet,famedFrench(1802-1885),nametheunderspiritismthroughhimself revealingtheof chief spiritualtheNhon,ChonTamNguyetof
Mission.ForeignCaoDaiMinh:Viet freedomNationalistVietnamese
thefromVietnamforindependencewonwhofightersDienof battletheatColonialismFrenchoppressive
machina-politicalthroughLater,1954.inPhuBienAmericanstoknowniswhatintoevolvedtheytions
Communist).(VietnameseCongViettheasVo: nil.of StatusYahweh: name Judaic Jews) by(unspeakableTheGod.for
Yang: Chineseinprincipleactivemasculine,Thephilosophy.
Yeshua: Jesus.of nameoriginalTheKing:Yi famousthetransformation,of book The
iseverythingthat believingthoughtsChineseof book principles.YangandYintheof producta
Yin: Chineseinprinciplepassivefeminine,Thephilosophy.
Zoroastrianism: atIranof religionancientThe BeingSupremetheworshippingBCE600about(light).flameHolyof formtheunder
is powertrueonlythethatdictatewouldWisdom
employedhasmankindhistorically yet power;spiritual
againstreligion,includingexploitation,of meansevery
new1920,inBut power.temporal forquestainothereach
aof formtheinworldtheuponbestowedquietlywashopeThisGod. frommystic,secludedatodeliveredmessage,
Ulti-theof RevelationThirdthecalledthereaftermessage,
purposeof unitytheteachesCaoDai,or(Tao),Waymate
ainseedtook peaceof flowerthisThatreligion.allbehind
oncebutcontradiction,aseemmaywar fordestinedland
con-alltranscendssimply pathCaoDaitheunderstood,
theseWithintranquillity.toworldtheleadsandtradiction
all- yetuniqueaof revelationthe foundis pages
God.to pathencompassing