Cao Dai's play at religious harmony
(oxymoron alert)
Being on a tight schedule in Vietnam, I reluctantly signed up for a tour of the famous Cu Chi tunnels through my guesthouse. These tours are very appealing for a couple reasons: a) pickup and dropoff at your guesthouse b) lots of other eager tourists without fail, so you're sure to pickup a few new friends c) they are dirt cheap.
If you're short on time, tours will not only save you money, but time and the hassle of finding a fair deal. Since tours are a dime a dozen in backpacker areas, prices are at equilibrium level. Though there are things to beware of, if it's too cheap you'll probably get what you pay for and be packed like sardines in a small van with a somewhat shady tour guide (but aren't they all a little bit?)
With a stop at the Cao Dai temple, the tour started on a early bright Saigon day. The Cao Dai temple ended being a very very interesting place. I ask you, where else can you find a congregation that worships Buddha, Jesus, Confucius, and Muhammad AT THE SAME TIME. Saints also include Pericles, Julius Caesar, Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo.
Think I'm kidding? Check out this mural, they're all there.
In addition, Cao Dai also worships the all seeing eye. The temple wasn't short on colors at all, contrasting the pale palette of most western religions the temple was filled with wonderful pinks, yellows and blues. In a world where religious conflicts have caused much hatred, the harmonious synthesis of faith at the Cao Dai temple was truly a refreshing eye opener.
In fact, Cao Dai claims that "religions are not different and if we take enough time to study deep --deeply enough in each religion, we would see that they have one same principal, if not identical principal. That's the reason God has founded Cao Dai, in order to bring harmony to different religions."
Truth that this is a fairly simplistic, not to mention idealistic, view. But with the core belief that the purpose of life and existence is in fact peace, Cao Dai fusion strangely seems to make sense. But only for a moment when you're there.
(oxymoron alert)
Being on a tight schedule in Vietnam, I reluctantly signed up for a tour of the famous Cu Chi tunnels through my guesthouse. These tours are very appealing for a couple reasons: a) pickup and dropoff at your guesthouse b) lots of other eager tourists without fail, so you're sure to pickup a few new friends c) they are dirt cheap.
If you're short on time, tours will not only save you money, but time and the hassle of finding a fair deal. Since tours are a dime a dozen in backpacker areas, prices are at equilibrium level. Though there are things to beware of, if it's too cheap you'll probably get what you pay for and be packed like sardines in a small van with a somewhat shady tour guide (but aren't they all a little bit?)
With a stop at the Cao Dai temple, the tour started on a early bright Saigon day. The Cao Dai temple ended being a very very interesting place. I ask you, where else can you find a congregation that worships Buddha, Jesus, Confucius, and Muhammad AT THE SAME TIME. Saints also include Pericles, Julius Caesar, Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo.
Think I'm kidding? Check out this mural, they're all there.
In addition, Cao Dai also worships the all seeing eye. The temple wasn't short on colors at all, contrasting the pale palette of most western religions the temple was filled with wonderful pinks, yellows and blues. In a world where religious conflicts have caused much hatred, the harmonious synthesis of faith at the Cao Dai temple was truly a refreshing eye opener.
In fact, Cao Dai claims that "religions are not different and if we take enough time to study deep --deeply enough in each religion, we would see that they have one same principal, if not identical principal. That's the reason God has founded Cao Dai, in order to bring harmony to different religions."
Truth that this is a fairly simplistic, not to mention idealistic, view. But with the core belief that the purpose of life and existence is in fact peace, Cao Dai fusion strangely seems to make sense. But only for a moment when you're there.
This entry was posted by cheapculture, on
Tuesday, October 23, 2007.
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OH!! I'm so happy you went there, I once wrote a research paper on them and they are so wild!!! I just rediscivered your blog and I'm really excited. keep writing, hugs! Alta
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