WHAT ARE THE
CAODAISTS ?
In Religio, la Ravista di
Studi Religiosi, Mr.G.Mingiano writes:
" The caodaists are
divided into two categories". The first one comprises all the Ecclesiastes, from
the "pontife maximum" to the last novice, all bound to a severe diet of
chastity, poverty and frugality.(they live exclusively on vegetables and
fruits) rigorously observed.The hierarchy is on an initiatic basis and
comprises seven grades of initiation: The highest,
that of "eldest brethren", has the
exclusive privilege to communicate with the "messengers of God", high spirits of
light from whom they receive energy, teaching and counsel.
“In the second category,
is all the mass of the faithful, which, besides Buddhist duties, must observe
humility, honesty, respect of authority, wherever found, and at last, obedience
to religious authorities.Worship consists only in common prayers to which the
faithful are convoked before an altar, on which is placed a great transparent
sphere containing the sacred fire.On the sphere , a triangle, symbol of
perfection and composition of divine energies in the triangle, the earnest eye
of the Eternal.
In this religion, two
aspects are, it seems to me, most original:
"The first is this:To
become a Caodaist, one needs make no profession of faith, he need not be bound
to any sacrament:freedom of conscience is sovereign.The institution lives and
prospers, not of the forced will of its adherents, but of their free consent,
their spontaneous and voluntary adhesion.As a result, no anathema greets or
follows him who decides to try another way.The prayer of all, on the contrary,
renders his new effort easier.And that, because the caodaists not only
recognize, but feel that the terrestrial life, the life in time and space, is a
trial, a test, an experiment, that each one must realize in order to make a
step forward on the way of Cao-Đài, the Most-High.And each one has the right to
choose his way.The search for riches, the conquest and extension of material
power, are condemned by the Caodaists, because for them too, the "kingdom
of God is not of this world".But it is at the same time a duty and a tight
to gain economic solidarity and to be able to give moral and material
assistance.This is the source of the second original aspect of Caodaism: From
the civil point of view or rather for its social action, Caodaism has special
institutions in crafts, teaching, agriculture, etc... to intensify its work of
social welfare, coordinated and efficacious."
The review Religio follows
this article of Mr. G. Mingiano with these lines:"Oriental wisdom, that
marvelously shields it".
"Pai-Te-Tien was a
Chinese poet.Being governor of a district, he paid a visit toa sage, a great
disciple of the ZEN sect, who had chosen his dwelling in the branches of the
tree.Pai seeing him, cried:"What a perilous dwelling is this tree!"To
which the sage replied:"Yours is much more perilous than mine".Then
follows this dialogue:
"I am governor of the
district.I don't see what risk I am running!"
"Then, you don't know
yourself! What peril greater than the passions that burn you and your troubled
spirit?"
What is the teaching of
Buddhism?"
"Don't do evil;
practise good!But that, a child of three years knows.Yes, a child of three
years knows it, but an old man of 80 years such asI succeeds with difficulty in
applying it."
"Han-Shan, a poet,
was a pure fool, who came to the monastery Kuoch'ing togather the left-overs of
meals and feed on them.The monks laughed at him as a poor, innocent and
harmless fool.One day, in his hermitage, Han Shan exclaimed:"I think at
all those past years during which I quietly came to Kuoch'ing where everybody
seeing me said:"Han-Shan is a fool." At present, I think: Am I
foolish? I don't succeed in solving the problem, not knowing myself.And then,
how can others understand me better than myself?"
"Be man not fond of
talk, in order to find God in the silence.Pray, the heart full of desire, but
without uttering a word.God shall provide thee with thy needs and hear thy
voice, and welcome thy offering.As well as in a desert the water ofwhich is so
sweet to him who burns with thirst, divinity is shut to him who speaks, open to
him who keeps silence."
MESSAGE OF WISDOM
You kill one another,
disputing the hills, the rivers, the lands, and the seas.You kill each other
for possession of that which was createdby the One in Three, the Three in One,
thought you are His children, and He is Creator of all.
Ambitious, selfish,
wicked, you close your purses, and in them shut up your hearts.How will you
love one another, for the love of the One in Three, the Three in One?
To preach peace, there
must be love for all men.
To practise concord,
pardon of all to all.
What is the highest
nobleness?
What is the highest
superiority?
What is the highest
origin?
All men are sons of God.So
God was called: the Son of Man.
You knock at the door of
wisdom.A voice demands:Who is there?
You answer:It is I.And the
door opens not.
You knock at the door of
wisdom, a voice demands:Who is there?
And you answer again:I.Do
not be astonished if the door does not open.
You knock at the door of
wisdom, a voice demands:Who is there?
You hesitate but
answer:Thou.At last, the door opens, and you enter into wisdom.
CAODAISMAT
THEINTERNATIONAL CONGRESSES
We were charged by the
Holy See of Tây-Ninh (South Vietnam) to represent Caodaism at various
International Congresses:
1 . International
Spiritualistic Congress of Barcelona (1934)
We read in the Revue
Spirite d' Octobre 1934 (p. 505), in the series of resolutions adopted
unanimously.
"Eighth Caodaist
Movement--On the motion of Mr. Gabriel Gobron, instructor in France ofCaodaism
(or Reformed Buddhism, or Vietnamese spiritism), the 5th International
Spiritualistic Congress held at Barcelona (1st to 10th of September, 1934) very
respectfully begs the French Government to be willing - remembering the solemn
promises made in March 1933 in the French
Parliament by President Sarraut, then Minister for the Colonies - to establish
on behalf of the Caodaists a statute as liberal as that enjoyed by the Vietnamese
converted to Christianity or those remaining faithful to other Buddhist sects
in the countries of the Indochina Union."
2 . World Congress of
Religions, London (1936).Le Cygne (September 20, 1936) published this echo:
"At the last
International Congress of Religions help in London, to which Mr. Gabriel
Gobron, Instructor of Caodaism in France, participated on invitation of the
Holy See of Tây-Ninh, Caodaism is recognized as the most tolerant religion in
the world.Before a large attendance composed of representatives of all the
Great World Religions and members of the International Press, the French
Caodaist delegate declared:"Caodaism is the very experience of the
reconciliation of races and peoples for which you are gathered in this
place.Caodaism or Reformed Buddhism is certainly a living experience of union
and religious unity.Wild applause greeted the peroration."
3 . International
Spiritualistic Congress of Glasgow (1937).L'Annam Nouveau (November 14, 1937)
published this echo:
"At the proposal of
Mr. Gabriel Gobron, Instructor in France of Caodaism or Vietnamese
Spiritualism, the 6th International Spiritualistic Congress meeting in Glasgow
(September 3, 1937), after the fifth Spiritualistic Congress of Barcelona,
hopes thatthe Vietnamese Spiritualists may enjoy in all the countries of the
Indochinese Union the same liberties of conscience and worship as Protestant
and Catholic Vietnamese, be they subjects, protégés, Eurasians or foreigners.
"The wish expressed
by the International Spiritualistic Congress of Barcelona has already
inaugurated a more liberal period for the Caodaists or Vietnamese
Spiritualists."
That wish presented and
discussed on the Philosophical Section of the Congress, was then adopted by
acclamation at the popular meeting held at Mc Lellan Galleries of the 9th of
September 1937.
4 . World Congress of Beliefs in Paris (1939).
Let us extract this
testimony from the Revue Spirite (Paris September, 8):"The "World
Congress of Faiths"which was formerly held in London, Oxford, Cambridge,
took place this year in Paris, our colleague Gabriel Gobron was delegated by
the Caodaists or Reformed Buddhists of Indochina to attend it.The rebukes he
invoked on the Congress of London may be related here and even enlarged: The
organizers, almost all English, address themselves to the historic Religions,
which by their long history proved their fecundity (the very words of Mr.
Lacombe,Sept. 10, 1939) and then exclude new religions, new doctrines, and
still more, syncretic religions such as Caodaism: a close fusion of Buddhist,
Christian, Taoist, Confucianist and Mohammedan beliefs, etc...It is useless to
say that spiritism, theosophy, anthroposophy, etc ...are banished from that
Congress which only seeks the collaboration of the respectable great religions,
and never their close fusion or their synthesis.No comparison of superiority of
religions was tolerated.The Catholic Church, though officially absent, was in
fact well represented (Professor Maritain, Mr. Lacombeetc ... )and it
constantly received homage.A hundred persons, many of them Anglo-saxons,
officers, administrators, professors, aristocrats, high-bourgeoisie, attended
the "days", Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, Protestant, Mohammedan,
Hindu, even interrupting the discussions sometimes outside of the
agenda:"How to make the fraternal spirit reign over the world through the
concourse of religions?"
The official support given
to the Congress (Messrs.Champetier de Ribes and Georges Mandel), its reception
in the Sorbonne by the Rector Roussy, with participation of French colonials
(one General of the House of the Bey of Tunis, one Syrian
Administrator,etc...), of a somewhat gaudy "French Committee", added
to the prestige of those solemn sessions at the Richelieu amphitheatre on the 2nd
of July, 1939.
"The best of the
Congress - in spite of narrow limitations fixed by itself and legitimate
reserve - was its will to claim the rights of the individual, now so mocked in
all the totalitarian regimes.A resolution recalling the dictators to greater humanity
was moreover adopted at the end of the Congress, and the question of refugees
seems bound to be inscribed in the order of the day at the next Congress which
will be held in Holland.
"A call was issued to
all the official Churches.Visits to Versailles, the Paris museums, to
intellectual centres, and the mosque where the very Parisian personality,
Kadour Bern Ghabrit, courteously welcomed the delegates, etc ... followed the
daily sittings.They talked too much, certainly, but they also acted:such a congress
is an act, and bears a date.It should be proclaimed more important than the
League of Nations, after one of those teas that gathered the members on certain
days and revived the flame of the proselytes of the religious idea."
La Vérité, of Phnom-Penh,
seat of the Foreign Mission ofCaodaism, expresses it in almost the same
language (July 26, 1939):Caodaism at the Congress of Religions in Paris (pp. 1
and 5).
"Caodaism or Reformed
Buddhism was represented this year at the Congress of Religions in Paris (July
3-11) by Mr. Gabriel Gobron, Instructor in France of Caodaism, who again found
the leading personalities he had known in London in1936; Sir Francis
Younghusband, president, and Mr. Arthur Jackman, secretary.
"The French
Government had decided to give its support to the Congress of Religions, in the
person of Mr. Georges Mandel, Minister of Colonies, Mr. Champetier de Ribes,
Minister of Pensions, the Rector of the University of Paris, Dr. Roussy, who
offered the broad Richelieu amphitheatre, in Sorbonne, for the sessions of the
Congress.A French Committee, under the chairmanship of Professor Louis
Massignon, and composed of various personalities:Mme de Coral-Rémusat, Mr. Jean
Herbert, Mme de Margerie, the Princess A. Murat, R. de Traz, Mr. O. Lacombe,
Professor Daniel Rops, etc.. . led the debates, which dwelt on the fundamental
theme:How to develop the spirit of fraternal cooperation in the world by
religion?
"Round this problem
thus posed,we nevertheless notice Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Mohammedan,
Buddhism, Jewish "days", according to the body to which the main
speaker belonged.So, Tuesday, July 4thwas a "Catholic Day".The
Catholic Church officially abstained from participation in the work of the
Congress, but, actually, Professor Jacques Maritain, Mr. O. Lacombe, and
otherCatholics played a part of first importance in the Congress week.The
church was invisible, but present.
"True, the scope of
the Congress was not so great, so universal as one might wish.This was due to
certain limitations imposed upon the delegates.
a . No religion must make proselytes by showing its
superiority over other beliefs:
b . It was not to be a matter of union, a fusion of
religions, but only of collaboration with different religions while remaining
separate; a religion of union, of synthesis, such as Caodaism, is thus not at
ease in such a Congress.So, our Instructor in France could declare to Mr.
Oliver Lacombe, vice-president of the French Committee, that he was the only
"heretic" present;
c . Access to the Congress, theorically, was reserved
to the great historic Religions having proved their fecundity by their long
past" (speech of Mr. O. Lacombe, July 1st , 1939).
"Sir Francis
Younghusband decided, however, to welcome Mr. Gabriel Gobron, according him
full liberty of speech and discussion, after his presentation of official
papers from Caodaist authorities at the secretariat in the Sorbonne.
"Mr. Georges Mandel,
Minister for the Colonies, had assured the participation of elements of the
French Empire in the work and debates.It was thus that General Hasan Husny
Abdelwahab, of the House of the Bey of Tunis, an attaché of the High
Commissioner for Syria, for instance, represented Islam.On the contrary, our
instructor in France does not seem to have met representatives of the French
elements of Asia, Hinduism and Buddhism being represented only by English
elements:Bhik Khu Thittila (monastery of Rangoon), Professor Dasgupta
(Calcutta) etc...
"Each day, in Paris
as in London, in 1936, was composed of an exposé in the morning, then a
discussion in the afternoon, followed by visits to places of interest
(Versailles, Museums, etc...)and to the Intellectual circles of Paris (Institut
de Civilisation Indienne, Mosquée, Association France-Grande-Bretagne, etc ...
).Our Instructor in France having criticized the organization, of the Congress
of London where isolated intellectuals, representing only themselves (and
sometimes their little vanities) he now held the floor for an hour or two,
insisting that preference be granted in Paris to representatives of the
communities, according to the very terms of the rules of the Congress at the
Sorbonne. So dilettanti and amateurs found themselves set aside to the
advantage of great names like Professor Jacqes Martiani (Catholic Institute of
Paris).Professor Dasgupta (Hinduism), Doctor Sié (University of Nankin),
General Hasan Husny Abdelwahab (House of the Bey), Viscount Samuel (ex High
Commissioner for Palestine), Bhik Khu Thittila (Monastery of Rangoon),
Professor Hauter (Protestant Faculty of Strasbourg), etc ...
"Tuesday the 11th
marked an end to the most fraternal and curteous of work and debates.The
delegates separated with pain, with a certain wrench after having passed
motions, resolutions, examined projects, improvements, fixed the place of the
next Congress in Holland, etc ...
"Let us note, among
numerous interesting things, a resolution asking dictators to rule their
peoples with greater humanity; congratulations to Chamberlain for his work of
peace; thanks to French Authorities whose friendliness to all religions needs
no further demonstration:the possibility was considered of Strasbourg,
Jerusalem, Geneva, etc ...welcoming the next congress; and invitation to all
churches to give the widest publicity to the work of the Congress, of which one
orator said that it might henceforth replace the League of Nations torpedoed by
politicians and their manipulators.The question of refugees was proposed for
the following year.
"The French Committee
decided to continue in Paris the work of rapprochement and mutual understanding
between the great beliefs... Several inter-religious associations were noted in
the capital and offered themselves to delegates desirous of attending their
meetings and joining their efforts.
We think that the time is
not far off when Caodaism will have to play an important role, by its living
example, in these world Congress of Religions".
As we have seen, Caodaism
is a religion, a body of doctrine, a living tradition, a philosophy, in a word,a
spirituality.
Bother Gago was a good
prophet, the International Congresses will answer the call of higher entities,
but not without difficulty.
Mr. Henry Regnault
presented the first edition of the present work to the delegates to the 3rd
Congress of the Worldwide Spiritual Counsel, gathered at Lausanne (Switzerland)
in August, 1948.
"None of the
delegates knew Caodaism.All were interested to learn that Caodaism has for its
ideal the uniting of all religions and bringing of peace here below, which we
also pursue."
Mr. Henry Regnault was
charged by the Congress to enter into relations with the Chiefs of Caodaism
asking them to join to the Worldwide Spiritual Counsel.
The answer was favorable
and no doubt in 1949, in Italy, Caodaism
will be represented to its credit.
The spiritual impulse of
His Holiness Phạm-Công-Tắc, Superior of Caodaism, is considerable and his
radiance oversteps the already broad frontiers of the Far-East to show itself
real and growing even in Europe and the two Americas.
POPES OF CAODAISM
Le Populaire (Saigon,
November 18th, 1935) published this news: At Tây-Ninh, Mr. Phạm-Công-Tắc
succeeds Mr. Lê-Văn-Trung as Caodaist Pope.
"On the occasion of
the anniversary of the death of Mr. Lê-Văn-Trung,Caodaist Pope, grandiose
ceremonies took place at the Tây-Ninh Temple, on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of last
November, in which more than five thousand faithful participated.
A Great Council composed
of Hội-Nhơn-Sanh (Popular Council) and Hội-Thánh (Sacerdotal Council) was held
on the 11th and 12th of November at the end of the festivals to resolve the
thorny question of the succession of Mr. Lê-Văn-Trung.
Unanimously, the
Hội-Nhơn-Sanh and the Hội-Thánh entrusted this difficult task to the Hộ-Pháp
Phạm-Công-Tắc.All motions of confidence also obtained a unanimous vote of the
Great Council.So was settled a question that has so many times attracted the
attention of public opinion.
Let us hope that under the
protection of the new chief, Caodaism may quietly go its way.
The newspaper noted the
ceremonies:"On the occasion of the anniversary of the death of Mr.
Lê-Văn-Trung, Caodaist Pope, important ceremonies will take place on the 8th,
9th, 10th and 11th of November at the Caodaist Temple at Tây-Ninh.
Here is the program of the
ceremonies:
November 8th - 2 p.m.Great
ceremonies marking the end of mourning at the Giáo-Tông-Đường.
November 9th - 7 p.m.Transfer of the Linh-Vị to the Temple; 8
p.m.Ceremonies at the Temple.
November 10th - 7 p.m.Transfer
of the Linh-Vị to the Place of Universal Brotherhood.
November 11th - 6 p.m.Ceremonies
before the Cửu-Trùng-Thiên.Funeral orations pronounced by High Dignitaries.
"On the occasion of
the 10th anniversary, La Presse Indochinoise (Sept. 3rd, 1936) reminded the
Indochinese public of what Caodaism or Reformed Buddhism is.
"The Caodaism, new
religion born in Indochina in 1926, lavished upon the first initiates, by the
voice of the Supreme Master, Cao-Đài, its teachings under the form of occult
messages that mediums have scrupulously selected totransmit to them for posterity.
"The interpreter of
spiritism enables numerous messages emanation from Great Sages of Antiquity, to
come regularly from the Beyond to the Holy See of Tây-Ninh (Cochinchina).
The adherents of Caodaism,
ever more and more numerous learn that the basis of dogmas is the Law of the
Three Saints: Buddha, Lao-Tze, Confucius.The general precepts of Buddhism are
not to kill, not to steal, not to desire a neighbor's wife, not to bear false
witness, not to be drunken.Buddhism goes far in the search for perfection when
it teaches love toward one's enemy, a precept that our Occident, which has
given the most afflicting spectacle of hatred cruelty, and revenge that history
records, looks upon with derision.
Taoism, of which the
doctrine entirely derives from the Revered Book of Supreme Reason and Virtue,
develops parallel to its philosophy eminently Christian thoughts though it be
nearly six hundred years anterior to Christianity.It prescribes the worship of
truth and discipline of character.This shows that we may meet in the nations
considered as barbarous by our ancient Europe, the practise ofmaxims of
gentleness and altruism tending to the maintenance of union and benevolence
among men.
Confucianism whose
precepts are in no way contrary to our modern scientific spirit, shows a
constant anxiety to lift humanity above bestiality by developping qualities,
creating a moral and intellectual elite to guide toward happiness the incapable
and ignorant who lack the primordial elements of Intelligence, Reason and Knowledge.
To the dogmas of the Three
Saints are added the religion of love and kindness of Christ, the respect of
the dead and the worship of the family.
In short, Caodaism gives
proof of a great tolerance toward all the existing religions for it includes
all, devotes itself to combat heresy; sows among the peoples a love of good and
of God's creatures, the practise of virtue; love of justice and resignation;
reveals to human beings the posthumous consequence of their acts, at the same
time cleansing their souls.
Numerous papers announced
the manifestations:"Great Caodaist Festival to the memory of Pope
Lê-Văn-Trung":
"The Caodaist Temple
of Tây-Ninh is very animated these days.Thousands of faithful feverishly work
to finish preparations destined worthily to celebrate the memory of the dead.
"The ceremonies that
begin on Thursday November 26, at 7 p.m., will last three days.It will
celebrate, on the same occasion, the freedom of worship which the liberality of
the French Government has granted it.All the Caodaists parishes of Indochina
are called upon to participate in the grand program which includes: torchlight
parade, and fireworks.
"A Great Festival in view".
We have been assured that
this will be the greatest festival since the foundation of Caodaism.
La Vérité (November 20,
1936) gave an account of the joyful events in these terms:"At the Caodaist
Holy See twenty thousand faithful celebrated the 10th anniversary of that
religion.Mourning for Pope Lê-Văn-Trung is ended”.
(From our special correspondent,
November 28th)
From all corners of
Cochinchina,Cambodia and even certain Moi tribes, thousands of faithful come to
the Caodaist Holy See at Tây-Ninh these days to celebrate the
"Đại-Tường", after which, mourning forPope Lê-Văn-Trung will be ended.
Exactly two years ago the
Caodaist Pope --to use an expression of honour here--passed away.The Caodaist
schism is going to be definitely consummated on the occasion of the nomination
of his successor.When in the Holy Land the leadership prudently called
Monseigneur Phạm-Công-Tắc to the functions of a temporary Chief without giving
him the official title of the Religion, at Mỹ-Tho, Mr. Nguyễn-Ngọc-Tương got
himself granted the title Giáo-Tông (Caodaist Pope) by a few hundred
followers.The new Pope so named, accompanied by a crowd of partisans, presented
himself at the Temple of Tây-Ninh to take up his duties and also assisted at
the funeral of the Great Departed.Entrance to the Holy See of the new Religion
was forbidden to the Chief of the Mỹtho sect, for it is only on "Holy
Land" that the true divine speech may come to superiors of the religion by
a medium interpreter.Cao-Đài has not named His Eminence Phạm-Công-Tắc to the
dignity of Supreme Chief of the Religion.
It is understandable that
the Caodaist leaders are giving to the Festival of Đại-Tường an unaccustomed
splendor.Flowerdecked floats would have paraded in the town of Tây-Ninh except
for the refusal of the Chief of the province.We feel this refusal to be
unjustified since all was carried on calmly enough.Flowery floats, torchlight
procession, fireworks during three days of festival increased the popular
joy.Electric lights in plenty gave to the Holy Land the aspect of an agitated
little city.
We met the high Chieftains.The
real Chief of the Religion, whom we had met elsewhere, before his Caodaist
conversion, had worked in the customs; while our childhood friend, Lê-Thế-Vinh,
chief of protocol, has been militant in the "Young Vietnam" movement
for the betterment of the lot of the Vietnamese people.
This evening, mourning for
Pope Lê-Văn-Trung will be lifted, speeches read, which will inform us of the
movement, its tendencies, its possibilities, its future.We know that Caodaism
was born only in 1926, under the impulse of turning tables, imported from
France. But what the public does not know is that a half-castle Frenchman,
faithful reader of Léon Denis and Allan Kardec, has paid with his own money for
the propaganda of spiritualistic ideas in the colony, which has contributed
much to the extraordinary development of the new religion which puts on the
same rank: Confucius, Lao-Tze, Shakyamuni and Jesus Christ.That strange
syncretism furthermore explains the rapid success of the movement among
Vietnamese and even Cambodians.
The Government might fear
for a moment this tardy birth of religion in the very middle of the 20th
century; but since, our leaders have authorized its propaganda in Tonkin;
Caodaist Missions have spread even to France and China.
May not the present manifestation
at Tây-Ninh be used as a point of departure for the consolidation and extension
of the movement, which has slackened in recent years?
The Caodaist Chiefs are
ambitious to becomespiritual Chiefs of a part of the Far-East thanks to
Caodaist development.
The near future will
furnish us with the key of these enigmas.
Srok Sarou
*
* *
More and more, Caodaism
tends to unity.Unity between other religions and itself, internal unity,
magnificent harmony around His Holiness Phạm-Công-Tắc who is one of the first
followers chosen and named by the Divine Master Cao-Đài and one of the founders
of the religion.His Holiness Phạm-Công-Tắc is the Chief, appointed inspirer of
the Hiệp-Thiên-Đài, Superior Assembly of Mediums.This is a kind of Holy-Office for
the proclamation and conservation of the pure doctrine and also cares for the
legislative organization of the Religion.
His Holiness Phạm-Công-Tắc
was proclaimed Superior of Caodaism by the Popular Council and by the
Sacerdotal Council to replace the late temporary Pope, Mr. Lê-Văn-Trung
disincarnated in 1934.
His Holiness Phạm-Công-Tắc
is an inspired man, highly mystic, and as generally is true of mystics, a great
administrator and organizer.He is a remarkable builder, for it is he who drew
the plans of the Caodaist Temple of the Holy See of which the present work
gives several photographic reproductions.He drew up the plans and personally
saw to, point by point, all the details of the building and decoration, which
is magnificent.
*
* *
His Holiness
Phạm-Công-Tắc's right hand is His Excellency Trần-Quang-Vinh, Secretary of
State for National Defense in the provisional Central Government of Vietnam,
since the first of June 1948.
His Eminence
Trần-Quang-Vinh has been a Caodaist dignitary since 1927.He has ascended the
hierarchic echelons:Lễ-Sanh, Giáo-Hữu, Giáo-Sư, then Phối-Sư.He was Chief of
the ForeignMission of Caodaism.With that title, he resided in Cambodia from
1927 to 1941.From 1942 to 1948, he was a representative of the Superior of Caodaism,
residing in Saigon.
Founder, organizerand
Commander-in-Chief of the Caodaist Troops.
In 1931, he was sent to
France and it was at that time that he created a cell of French Dignitaries and
followers among which Gabriel Gobron, brother Gago and his wife, Mrs.
Marguerite G. Gobron who may be addressed for information regarding the
Caodaist religion in France.
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