Cao Daism in Vietnam
The Cao Dai religion is a unique faith that blends elements of monotheism and polytheism, originating in Vietnam in the early twentieth century. The term "Cao Dai" translates to "a high place," signifying the supreme realm where God is believed to reign. It is also a condensed name for God within the Cao Dai belief system, fully titled "Cao Dai Tien Ong Dai Bo Tat Ma Ha Tat," which means "Cao Dai [the] Ancient Sage [and] Great Bodhisattva Mahasattva."
According to the official website of the Cao Dai faith, “Cao Dai is a universal faith indicating that all religions share a common divine origin, whether referred to as God, Allah, the Tao, or the Nothingness. They are all based on a shared ethic rooted in LOVE and JUSTICE, representing varied expressions of one essential TRUTH.” Caodaiism holds that God is the founder not only of the religion but of the universe itself. All doctrines, organizational structures, and symbols are designated by “Cao Dai.”
Cao Dai Temple, Tay Ninh Province. Photo: @maciek.paszek_notowpolske
Cao Dai is considered a relatively new religion, synthesizing key aspects of major belief systems including Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Its followers actively engage in religious practices such as prayer, ancestor veneration, nonviolence, and vegetarianism, with the ultimate aim of liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Current estimates suggest the Cao Dai community in Vietnam comprises approximately two to three million adherents spread across 38 provinces, establishing it as one of the prominent religions in the country.
Inside Cao Dai Temple. Photo: @zaparatemdookolaswiata
The largest sect of Cao Dai is headquartered in Tay Ninh Province, the site where the religion was founded in 1926. This area is home to the Cao Dai Holy See, a complex of architectural features significant to the faith, situated in Long Thanh, Hoa Thanh District, approximately 4 kilometers southeast of Tay Ninh Town. Additionally, there are other Cao Dai Temples, including one located in Duong Dong.
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