Preface. All human
beings have to recognise what is over our heads. The infinite space over our
heads is Heaven / Troi. The Supreme Being who rules this infinite space is the
Creator, Ngoc Hoang Thuong De (The Celestial Emperor), the Supreme Head of all
the Universe and of the Cosmos.
Today, the
Creator has come under the name of CAO-DAI TIEN-ONG DAI-BO-TAT-MA-HA- TAT, to
found in Vietnam
The
Celestial Emperor, in his great love for human beings, comes at our salvation,
He calls himself MASTER, and calls us DISCIPLES.
Consequently,
we must respect and adore the Creator from the bottom of our heart; and must
bring all our faith to His miraculous Religion.
The
principle/aim of the Great Religion consists in synchronising the teachings of
the three main Religions - Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism - into One.
Therefore in following the Great Religion/Caodaism (Dai-Dao), we must observe
the basic principles of the three Religions to cultivate (to improve and
purify) ourselves by strictly following the three duties (tam cang) and the
five essential virtues (ngu thuong) of Confucianism, the three obligations (tam
qui) and five prohibitions (ngu gioi) of Buddhism, as well as the striving to
unify the three jewels (tam buu) and the five elements (ngu hanh) of Taoism.
Whoever is
able to fulfil the three teachings is ready to attain the level of the Than
(Genie-Spirit), Thanh (Saints), Tien (Immortals, Archangels), and Phat
(Buddhas).
Chapter I
HIERARCHY OF RELIGIOUS
DIGNITARIES
Article 1: -
The highest rank is the Giao-Tong/Pope, the eldest brother. He (Giao-Tong) has
the right to represent God (Thay) to guide all the believers in the Spiritual
Way Temporal
Way
The
Giao-Tong/Pope is allowed to communicate with the Thirty-Six Heavens, and
Seventy-Two Planets to beg for the sanctification of the souls of all
believers.
All the
believers must obey Him (Giao-Tong).
Article 2: -
Next, there are three Chuong Phap/Legislative Cardinals belonging to the three
branches: Nho/Confucianist, Thich/Buddhist, Dao/Taoist.
The three
Legislative Cardinals have the right to examine the religious laws before their
promulgation, whether they come from the Giao-Tong/Pope, or are proposed by the
Dau-Su/Cardinals. If the two groups are not in agreement, the Legislative
Cardinals must submit the law to the Ho-Phap who will take it to the Sanctuary
of the Divine Alliance (Hiep-Thien-Dai) where he will call on God for
modifications to be made.
The three
Legislative Cardinals have the right to check the prayer books and other works
before they are distributed and propagated. If they find works which are
harmful to good habits (traditional morals) they must forbid the publication.
Each
Chuong-Phap/Legislative Cardinal has his particular seal. The three seals must
appear together on each law to make each law applicable.
The
Chuong-Phap/Legislative Cardinals must dissuade Giao-Tong and correct His
mistakes. If they find his mistakes serious, they have the right to bring them
to the Holy See as a lawsuit.
Article 3: -
The three Dau-Su/Cardinals of the three branches have the right to direct the
believers, spiritually and temporally.
They have
the right to enact laws, but they must submit them for the approval of the
Giao-Tong/Pope. They must respectfully obey the Pope's orders and instructions.
If a law is contrary to the existing practices of the general group of
believers/humanity, they (the three Cardinals) can demand its repeal.
If a law set
down by the Giao-Tong/Pope is the subject of a unanimous rejection signed by
the three Cardinals, it must be returned to the Pope, who will hand it back to
the Chuong-Phap/Legislative Cardinals for reexamination.
The three
Dau-Su/Cardinals are endowed with the three seals, one for each; for the
validity and implementation of any document it must have the imprint of all
three seals.
Article 4: -
There are thirty-six Phoi-Su/Archbishops divided into three branches, twelve
for each. There are three Chanh-Phoi-Su/Principal Archbishop.
The three
Principal Archbishops can substitute the Dau-Su/ Cardinals, but cannot ask for
the repeal of the law.
Article 5: -
There are seventy-two Giao-Su/Bishops, twenty-four for each branch. The
Giao-Su/Bishops are responsible for the spiritual and temporal education of
believers.
The
Giao-Su/Bishops are to care for the believers the way Elder Brothers do for
Younger Ones.
The
Giao-Su/Bishops keep all records of the believers. They must be concerned about
the marriage and death of each believer.
In large
towns Giao-Su/Bishops have the right to preside over religious ceremonies the
way that Dau-Su/Cardinals and Phoi-Su/Archbishops do.
The
Giao-Su/Bishops have the right to present requests with the aim of suppressing
or modifying laws which are harmful to the believers/humanity.
The
Giao-Su/Bishops must be close and helpful to all believers as they are
brothers/sisters in the same family.
Article 6: -
The Giao-Huu/Priests have the mission of propagating the true God's
Way/Religion. They have the right to request modification of the religious
laws, and to preside over ritual ceremonies in the small province
Oratories/Temples/Thanh-That. There are three thousand Giao-Huu, a thousand for
each Branch. This number must be neither increased nor decreased.
Article 7: -
The Le-Sanh/Student Priests are chosen from among the well behaved
believers/sub-dignitaries to celebrate ceremonies. They have the right to
preside over the ceremonies for the installation of an Altar in the home of
every adept. To become dignitaries, it is necessary to occupy the rank of
Le-Sanh/Student Priest.
Article 8: -
The Dau-Su/Cardinals are promoted to the rank of Chuong-Phap/Legislative
Cardinals by a vote among three of them.
- The
Phoi-Su/Archbishops are promoted to the rank of Dau-Su/Cardinal by a vote among
thirty-six of them.
- The
Giao-Su/Bishops are promoted to the rank of Phoi-Su/Archbishops by a vote among
seventy-two of them.
- The
Giao-Huu/Priests are promoted to the rank of Giao-Su/Bishops by a vote among
three thousand of them.
- The
Le-Sanh/Student-Priests are promoted to the rank of Giao-Huu/Priests by a vote
of all Le-Sanh/Student-Priests.
-
Chuong-Phap/Legislative Cardinals and Dau-Su/Cardinals can be candidates for
the Papal Throne/Ngoi Giao-Tong. They must be elected through the universal
vote of the Adepts.
All the
dignitaries must submit to this law election except in the case where the
Supreme Being appears Himself through a spirit seance to choose His Elected
One.
The above
rules which are used to form the Hoi-Thanh/ Sacerdotal Council, are teachings
from Divine/God's messages.
Chapter II
ON BELIEVERS (THOSE OBSERVING THE WAY)
Article 9: -
Anyone who wishes to enter the Religion/Caodaism has to be introduced by two
followers of outstanding moral rectitude to the head of the parish. The two
respondents must take charge of the education of the new disciple and guide
him/her in the path of ethics and morality
Article 10:
- The local Temple (Holy House, Thanh-That) is then responsible for
administering the oath-taking ceremony for the new disciple, who must be
registered the same day and immediately swear an oath in front of the God's
Altar in a Thanh-That (local Temple, Holy House).
The new
believer must learn by heart the prayers and understand the religious laws
promulgated by The Great Way (Dai-Dao).
Article 11:
- The Head of the Parish or the representative dignitary must come and perform
the initiation ceremony to bless the new disciple's home and to install God's
Altar.
Article 12:
- Once baptized (nhap mon), the new adherent is called a believer (Tin Do). The
believers are classified into two categories:
1 - Those
who live with their families (non-married and married persons) and earn their
living as ordinary people. However they must observe a vegetarian diet for six
or ten days a month, must follow the Five Prohibitions/Ngu Gioi Cam, and obey
the Secular Laws/Rules of the Secular Life/The-Luat promulgated by the Great Way
2 - Those
who observe a full-time vegetarian regime, free themselves from killing and
follow the Four Commandments/Tu Dai Dieu Qui are classified in the higher
category/superior order/thuong thua.
Article 13:
- Among the lower category/ha thua, those who observe ten days or more of
vegetarian diet (per month) will obtain the Mystery of the
Deliverance/Absolution Ceremony/Buu-Phap (at the time of their death), and can
be admitted into a meditation house/tinh-that to receive and practise esoteric
training/mystic meditation.
Article 14:
- Dignitaries of the Religious Administration with the rank of Priest/Giao-Huu
and above must be selected only from among believers in the higher
category/thuong thua.
Article 15:
- Those who belong to the higher category/thuong thua must grow a beard and
long hair. They must wear simple dress of white cotton material only or the
colour assigned to their branch. They must be frugal and never indulge in
luxuries.
Chapter III
ESTABLISHMENT OF A PARISH
Article 16:
- Any local area having more than 500 believers is authorized to establish a
Parish/Ho Dao with a Thanh-That (Temple
Article 17:
- Parish/Parishes can be established only with the permission and authority of
the Giao-Tong/Pope.
Article 18:
- The parishioners must obey the order of the Dignitary, Head of the Parish,
and strictly follow his guidance/teachings without offence.
Article 19:
- Twice a month, the first and the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, the
believers must meet at the Thanh-That (Temple
Article 20:
- The Dignitary who is Protector/Keeper of the Thanh-That (Holy House, Temple 6 a .m.12 p.m. (Thoi Ngo), 6 p.m. (Thoi Dau), and 12 a .m.
The bell
must be rung before beginning the ceremony. The believers may (or may not) take
part in the ceremonies as they wish.
Chapter IV
THE FIVE PROHIBITIONS
Once
converts of the Religion (baptized), believers must cultivate themselves by
improving their behavior and observing five prohibitions:
1 - Do Not
Kill. It is forbidden to kill living beings.
2 - Do Not
Steal. It is forbidden to commit robbery, banditry, to pilfer, to take goods
without authorization, to cheat, to borrow without returning, or to store
stolen goods, to appropriate objects dropped in the street, to covet the goods
of others, to wish ill to others for one's own interest, or cheat in gambling.
3 - Do Not
Commit Lewd Acts. It is forbidden to commit adultery, to fall into debauchery,
to encourage others to act immorally, to entertain immoral or indecent thoughts
at the sight of beautiful persons, or to seduce by speech. (Relations between
spouse are not considered to be lewd acts).
4 - Do Not
Indulge in the Use of Alcohol or a luxurious life style. It is forbidden to
abuse the drinking of alcohol and the eating of meat; over eating and drinking
causes disorder of physical body and spirit and disturbing public tranquillity.
It is also forbidden to expect or covet unusual drinks and rich foods.
5 - Do Not
Lie. It is forbidden to use false words, to speak falsely, or to boast in order
to deceive others. It is forbidden to expose another person's faults, to turn
wrong into right and vice-versa; to malign, to defame, to talk ill about other
people, to incite people to anger or hatred, or to bring matters to public
trial; to swear or use vulgar language; to curse other people; to blaspheme
religion; to renege on a promise.
Chapter V
THE FOUR GREAT COMMANDMENTS
The
Caodaists must improve their behavior, and cultivate themselves by observing
the four great commandments:
1 - Obey the
teachings given by the superiors/higher ranks, listen openly to words and
advice given by an inferior. Caodaists should use civility as the basis for
dealing with others, recognising their own faults and repenting sincerely.
2 - Do not
flaunt your talents or qualities in pride and haughtiness; be humble and efface
yourself in the service of others. Caodaists should help and guide others into
the God-Path. They should not be revengeful, nor should they hinder virtuous
and wise persons.
3 - Be
accurate in money matters; receipts and expenses must be clear. Do not borrow
without paying back. Do not be impolite and discourteous to the higher
ranks/superiors. Higher ranks, in teaching the lower ranks/inferiors, must do
so with civility. Lower ranks, in advising or approaching the higher ranks,
must not be lacking in deference and respect.
4 - Be
sincere, consistent in both the presence and absence of others. Do not be
respectful in the presence of individuals and then insult, condemn, or offend
them in their absence. Do not remain aloof without trying to reconcile
co-believers who do not agree with one another or are in conflict. Do not
appropriate public materials for private use. Do not act out of personal
interest to the detriment of public interest. Obey the Laws and Rules. Do not
cling to your personal opinion and oppose the higher ranks/superiors, or be
uncivil to the lower ranks. Do not use authority to repress the talents or
abilities of others.
Chapter VI
ON EDUCATION
Article 23:
- Schools will be organized in the Religion to give religious instruction and
general education.
Article 24:
- The pedagogy and the management of the school will follow special
regulations.
Article 25:
- Only believers who have a graduation certificate from the school can later
qualify as candidates for the functions of dignitaries of the Religion.
Chapter VII
SANCTIONS
Article 26:
- Believers who have committed minor misdemeanours (mistakes) will be judged by
the Head of the Parish by way of counselling, warnings, and punishment by
having the believer to kneel in front of God's Altar and recite the prayer of
repentance.
Article 27:
- Serious errors or recurrent mistakes will be referred to a Discipline Council
(Hoi Cong Dong) for judging. The Discipline Council composed of a Cardinal
(Dau-Su) or an Archbishop (Phoi-Su) of the Religious Branch to which the
delinquent belongs, and two dignitaries of the two other Branches as assessors.
This Council has the right to excommunicate the delinquent believer.
Article 28: -
In the secular/temporal life, if there are disagreements and conflicts
between/among the parishioners, they must be referred to the Head of the Parish
for solution.
Article 29:
- Dignitaries who commit infractions of the Laws and Regulations of the Religion
must appear before the Toa Tam Giao (Court of the Three Religions) for
judgment.
Article 30:
- The Toa Tam Giao (Court of the Three Religions) comprises of the Giao- Tong
(Pope) as President, the three Chuong-Phap (Legislative Cardinals) as assessors.
The Dau-Su (Cardinal) of the Branch to which the delinquent belongs acts as
prosecutor. A dignitary of Hiep-Thien-Dai (Legislative Body) acts as a defense
lawyer.
Article 31:
- This Court has the power to sanction demotion in rank or excommunication.
Chapter VIII
ON THE PROMULGATION OF THE LAW AND REGULATIONS
Article 32:
- From the day of its promulgation, believers are given six months to conform
to the provisions of the Code.
Exceptions:
- 1) Those
who work at professions involving violation of the Code must change their
profession within a year's time.
- 2)
Dignitaries do not yet observe a full vegetarian diet have up to two years to
train themselves to it and to conform to the rule.
Beside the
codes which are already changed and improved by Divine Master/God and which
believers must follow, former codes (old ones) are still in effect.
Secular Rules
(Laws for
the Secular Life of the Faithful)
Those who
are admitted to the Religion must follow the following secular rules:
Article 1: -
Having studied the Religion / Way with the same Divine Master (God), the
believers must considered themselves as children of the same father. They must
love one another; maintain good relations among themselves, help each other,
treat each other honestly, mutually guide one another in both spiritual life
(Religion Path) and temporal life (secular Path).
Article 2: -
Once having entered to the Religion, one should forget previous hatreds.
Believers must avoid acts of jealousy, of competition, of conflict and actions
involving lawsuits. Mutual tolerance must be practiced in order to live in
harmony and peace. If there is discord, the believers involved have to be
open-minded and accept the reconciliation of the Head of the Parish.
Article 3: -
The three duties (tam cang) and the the five essential virtues (ngu thuong) of
Confucianism which are the fundamental rules of conduct for humankind must be
observed. Men / Males must show filial piety, loyalty, politeness and courtesy,
honesty and integrity. Women / Females must maintain their dependence on their
father, husband and children; and they should be hardworking, show care for
their appearance, speak well and have good manners.
Article 4: -
In relating to the public the believers should practice and maintain an
attitude of flexibility, honesty, respect, and modesty without condescension.
Article 5: -
Among co-religionists, good relations must be promoted to strengthen the bonds
of fraternity. Believers who belong to the secular order must remember funeral
and wedding occasions.
Article 6: -
Marriage is a very important act in life. One's spouse should be chosen from
among one's co-religionists, except in the case when the future spouse agrees
to convert.
Article 7: -
Eight days before the date of wedding ceremony, the head of the groom's family
must put a notice of the marriage at the Thanh-That (Holy House, Temple
Article 8: -
After the marriage ceremony (at home), the families of both groom and bride
have to go to the Thanh-That (local Temple
Article 9: -
After this Code is published, it will be forbidden for the faithful to take
concubine(s). In case of widowhood, remarriage is allowed. If the wife is
sterile and without a child, the Divine Master allows the husband to marry a
second wife. However it is only accepted when the first wife herself will be in
charge of the wedding.
Article 10:
- The couple is not allowed to get divorced, except in the case of adultery or
the lack of filial piety to parents.
Article 11:
- The newborn child should have a godmother and a godfather who will take care
of him/her in case he/she becomes an orphan.
Article 12:
- Preferably at the age of a month, or during the following months if
necessary, the child should be brought to Thanh-That (Temple
Article 13:
- Parents must send their children aged from six to twelve years old to school
for general and religious education.
Article 14:
- When a fellow believer passes away, the faithful of the Parish should come to
help and comfort the family of the defunct.
Each parish
should have its own cemetery.
Article 15:
- The head of the parish, once he was requested by the mourning family, must
call a meeting with other co-believers in the parish to hold the ceremonies for
the Repose of the Soul of the defunct (cau sieu) in conformity with the
Tan-Luat (New Canonical Codes). He will accompany the burial to the tomb.
Article 16:
- Burials should not be expensive or lavish. Do not keep the body of the
defunct for many days. Do not use vivid colours. The colour white should be
used. Big banquets should not be given as it may diminish the austere, grave
and sad character of the occasion.
Article 17:
- For the offerings made to the defunct, do not use meat, one can bring more
merit to his/her soul by offering vegetarian food. The rites and music are not
forbidden, but the rites and music prescribed by the Tan Luat (New Canonical
Codes) must be used.
Article 18:
- The ceremonies for the Repose of the Soul of the defunct (prayers for the
ascension of the spirit, cau sieu cho vong linh) which are tuan cuu (nine
times, once every nine days), tieu tuong (281 days after the date of death,
short mourning period), and dai tuong (581 days after the date of death, long
mourning period) can be held at the local Temple. The believers, if invited,
should come in to say their prayers.
Article 19:
- If an unforseen accident befalls an adherent, the co-believers of the parish
must, according to their means, help and support him/her through the difficult
period.
Article 20:
- After the promulgation of this New Code, the believers should not engage in a
job which involves the killing of animals, or a job contrary to good morals.
They should not write or publish obscene novels, or sell any alcohol, spirits
and opium.
If anyone
has been doing those jobs, he/she should stop and find a different job.
Article 21:
- The believers should dress simply and economically according to their
situation. It is recommended to dress in cotton and avoid silk.
Article 22:
- If a believer violates one or more of these codes, the other believers who
know must try to advise the person and persuade him/her to repent. If he/she
does not listen to the counsel given, the matter must be brought to the
attention of the head of the parish who will find a solution.
Article 23:
- If someone repeatedly violates or does not give up incorrigible behaviour and
bad karmic deeds, the person concerned must be excommunicated. The other
faithful must no longer consider him/her as a co-religionist.
Article 24:
- Hoi Cong Dong (A Discipline Council) consists of a Dau-Su (Cardinal) as
president, and two dignitaries of the two other branches as assessor. Is
authorized to deliver the sentence of excommunication, if asked to do so by the
head of a Parish. This order will be posted at the local Temple
The House of Meditation
(Cloister,
Tinh-That)
The
Tinh-That (The House of Meditation, Cloister) is a House of Calm where the
believers can reside to receive esoteric training. Believers who would like to
enter a House of Meditation/Tinh That, have to conform the following
regulations:
- Article 1:
The believers who have completely fulfilled their social obligations (the moral
duties toward humanity), and have practised a full-time vegetarian diet for at
least six months can be admitted to a Tinh-That (House of Meditation, Calm) to
practise Meditation and Detachment.
- Article 2:
Anyone who would like to enter a Tinh-That (House of Meditation) must be
introduced by a more virtuous co-religionist and seconded by another
co-religionist.
- Article 3:
It is forbidden to have relations or written communication with people from the
outside. Parents (close relatives) are accepted, once expressed approval is
received from the Head of the Tinh-That (House of Meditation).
- Article 4:
It is forbidden for persons from the outside to enter a Tinh-That (House of
Meditation, Cloister), whether they be functionaries or Dignitaries of the
Religion, co- religionists, or relatives of the cloistered person.
- Article 5:
It is forbidden to talk with people from the outside, except with one's parents
and one's own children, after the permission of the Head of the House has been
granted.
- Article 6:
After being admitted to a Tinh-That (House of Meditation, Cloister), the
cloistered person has to abstain from chewing betel, and smoking, and can eat
nothing in addition to his given meals.
- Article 7:
In the House of Meditation (Tinh-That), one's spirit/soul must be maintained in
calm, and one's conscience must be serene. All must live in peace and harmony
with others and not speak loudly. One must be hard working and work well,
helping and guiding each other in the path of Virtue.
- Article 8:
Believers in a House of Meditation must obey the orders of the "Head of the
House", and strictly follow the schedule for the cultivation of esoteric
training.
End
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