World religions · Vietnamese tradition

Caodaism brings many paths into one vision.

An introductory guide to Caodaism, a Vietnamese-centered religion shaped by ideas drawn from several major religious and philosophical traditions.

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Vietnamese origins.
Universal aspiration.

At a glance

A religion of synthesis

Caodaism presents itself as a modern revelation that recognizes wisdom in earlier traditions while emphasizing moral responsibility and spiritual development.

Founded in 1926Caodaism was formally organized in southern Vietnam during the early twentieth century.

Vietnamese centerTây Ninh is associated with the religion's principal institutional and ceremonial center.

Many influencesIts teachings draw on Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity and other traditions.

Origins and development

History in context

The name Cao Đài is commonly explained through Vietnamese terms associated with a high or supreme place. In Caodaist teaching, it also functions as a symbolic name for God and the heavenly realm.

Caodaism emerged in Cochinchina in the 1920s. Its early history is connected with Ngô Văn Chiêu and other religious figures who described receiving spiritual communications and developing a new religious movement. The faith was formally established in 1926 by a group of disciples.

Caodaist accounts describe religious history as a series of revelations. Earlier traditions are understood as carrying genuine spiritual insight, while differences and cultural adaptation are seen as reasons for a further universal revelation.

After the political changes of 1975, religious institutions operated under new restrictions. Later developments brought official recognition and a more regulated public religious life. Historical descriptions should be read with attention to the period and source in which they were written.

Spirit communication

Early Caodaism used forms of séance and automatic writing to record messages believed to come from spiritual beings. These practices are best presented as matters of religious belief and history, not as claims established by scientific testing.

Beliefs

How Caodaism describes reality

Caodaist teaching describes God as the original, formless source of the universe. The world and its living beings are understood as connected with the divine, while human beings possess both a physical aspect and an invisible spiritual dimension.

Spiritual unity: the world's religions are treated as related expressions of a broader divine purpose.
Reincarnation: souls may pass through successive lives as part of a longer process of moral and spiritual growth.
Karma: actions shape future consequences and influence the direction of spiritual development.
Release: disciplined self-cultivation is associated with moving beyond attachment and the cycle of rebirth.

Caodaism honors figures associated with Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity, alongside Vietnamese and other historical cultural figures. The Divine Eye is a prominent symbol of the supreme deity.

Practice and community

Ethics in daily life

Caodaist practice links spiritual progress with conduct toward family, society, other living beings and the natural world. Worship may include prayer, ancestor veneration, meditation, vegetarian observance and participation in communal ceremonies.

Practitioners are encouraged to act kindly and avoid harm.
Honesty, restraint and responsibility are treated as important virtues.
Some members follow vegetarian periods during the month.
Exoteric practice emphasizes family and social duties; esoteric paths place greater emphasis on meditation and inner transformation.

Religious organization has traditionally included ranked offices and distinct roles for clergy and lay followers. The details of administration and practice may vary among communities.

Reader guide

Questions people often ask

Is Caodaism a form of Buddhism?

No. Caodaism incorporates Buddhist ideas but is a distinct Vietnamese religion with its own scriptures, institutions, symbols and practices.

Does Caodaism combine several religions?

Yes. Caodaist teaching recognizes insight in a number of traditions, including Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity and other religious or philosophical currents.

What does the Divine Eye represent?

The Divine Eye is a central symbol associated with God, spiritual awareness and the unity of creation.

What role do reincarnation and karma play?

They describe a moral process in which actions have consequences across successive lives and spiritual development continues over time.

Where did Caodaism begin?

It began in southern Vietnam in the 1920s and developed a major institutional center in Tây Ninh.

How can I compare Caodaism with other traditions?

Begin with the comparison guide, then use the glossary for unfamiliar terms.