The religion of Cao Dai was founded in Vietnam in the early 1920s by a low-level bureaucrat who claimed to have a vision from God to create a new religion that would bring the world’s religions together. Literally meaning “high place”, Cao Dai is a blend of elements from Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, and Animism. Buddha, Confucius, Victor Hugo, Joan of Arc, William Shakespeare, Victor Hugo, Louis Pasteur, and Jesus are considered saints; and God is symbolized by the Divine Eye. Like the Catholic Church, there is a hierarchy of popes, cardinals, bishops and priests. And to some extent (and usually in secret), Cao Dai adherents have ceremonies where spiritual mediums communicate with spirits and the deceased.

Despite political clashes with various Vietnamese governments since its inception, Cao Dai still thrives today. Numbers vary, but the religion has an estimated six to eight million followers worldwide. Nonetheless, the current government maintains a close watch on the religion, which at its founding, had a strong anti-Communist stance.

This slideshow examines different aspects of Cai Dai, as it is practiced in various temples throughout Southern Vietnam.

[2005, running time: 3:15]