Across the globe, there is no country without a religion, and every religion boasts a glorious history, filled with legends of mystical events and extraordinary practices. However, while some of these miraculous accounts may be true, many are embellished by those within the religion, primarily to elevate the status of their faith.
This discourse on the Three Religions, originating in China, is based on truth. However, profound and mystical aspects will be addressed separately.
China has three major religions: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, collectively known as the Three Religions (*1).
Taoism was founded by Lao Tzu, who was born during the Zhou Dynasty, around 604 years before the birth of Jesus Christ (*2).
Confucianism was established by Confucius, also born during the Zhou Dynasty, around 551 years before the birth of Jesus Christ (*3).
During the same Zhou Dynasty, Gautama Buddha was born in India around 560 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. He founded Buddhism. Buddhism gradually spread to China and flourished after Xuanzang journeyed to India to obtain the Tripitaka scriptures and brought them back to his homeland (629 years after the birth of Jesus Christ).
It is said that Confucius once visited Lao Tzu and upon returning, told his disciples: “Birds fly, fish swim, and animals run. We can shoot down birds, catch fish with a hook, and trap running animals with nets, but the dragon that soars through the clouds and rides the wind, I know not how to capture. Lao Tzu is like that dragon.”
This demonstrates that Lao Tzu and Confucius did not oppose each other; in fact, Confucius admired Lao Tzu. The later conflict between Confucianism and Taoism arose solely from their followers’ differing interpretations of the phrase “Each holds to their own Way” (*4).
Confucius taught the Way of Humanity, emphasizing human relations and social order. The core principle of Confucianism is to promote social harmony.
Lao Tzu taught the Way of Immortality, focusing on mystical practices to achieve spiritual tranquility and liberation. The core principle of Taoism is individual spiritual cultivation. Taoism, with its profound and esoteric nature, is difficult for many to grasp. Moreover, the Taoist scriptures, especially the Tao Te Ching, are filled with metaphors and veiled language, leading to misinterpretations and distortions, transforming a noble and profound teaching into superstition and even misguided practices.
However, by harmonizing Confucianism and Taoism, they can complement each other. We should cultivate both the Way of Humanity (Confucianism) and the Way of Immortality (Taoism) simultaneously. Confucianism emphasizes action, while Taoism emphasizes stillness. In life, action and stillness must balance each other; this is the law of rhythm. Just as we exert ourselves physically and mentally during the day, we need rest at night to restore our spirit and replenish our energy. When pursuing our livelihoods, we should adhere to moral principles and social ethics in our interactions with others, fulfilling our responsibilities as human beings. This is following the Way of Humanity.
Beyond work, in moments of leisure and tranquility, we should cultivate our spirit, allowing our minds to find peace and serenity, freeing ourselves from worldly concerns and preventing any disturbance to our inner peace. Thus, our spirit can attain tranquility and connect with the Primordial Qi, nourishing our soul and making it increasingly pure and light. We then use this refined state to harmonize with Heaven and Earth. This is following the Way of Immortality. Therefore, the Way of Humanity (Confucianism) and the Way of Immortality (Taoism) must be interconnected and complement each other to align with the natural law of balance.
Now let’s examine whether Taoism and Buddhism can be harmonized. When Buddhism first spread to China, it relied on Taoist concepts to propagate its tenets. Thanks to the many similarities in thought and philosophy between Buddhism and Taoism, Buddhist missionaries borrowed Taoist terminology to explain their new ideas. This facilitated the acceptance of Buddhism by the Chinese and smoothed its path to widespread adoption. Thus, Taoism and Buddhism have been harmonized since Buddhism’s initial introduction to China. Based on the arguments presented earlier, the unity of the Three Religions is indeed justified. This is one reason. There is also a second reason:
According to the cyclical nature of things, everything has a beginning, a middle, and an end. After reaching the end, it must return to the beginning; this is called “returning to the origin.” The emergence of the Great Way follows these cycles, and each cycle includes all Three Religions.
For instance, in the Upper Cycle, during the Rat era, there was the First Amnesty. Confucianism was developed by Pan Gu, Taoism was founded by Hongjun Laozu, and Buddhism was propagated by Dipankara.
In the Middle Cycle, during the Ox era, there was the Second Amnesty. Confucianism was established by Confucius, Taoism by Lao Tzu, and Buddhism by Gautama Buddha.
Now, in the Lower Cycle, during the Tiger era, the Supreme Being has chosen the year of the tiger (Bính Dần) (1926) and, through the miraculous mechanism of automatic writing, established the The Third Great Universal Religious Amnesty (Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ). As the Lower Cycle is the final cycle, the Great Way must return to the origin, following the cyclical law. This necessitates the unification of the Three Religions. Without this unification, how can there be a return to the origin? This is the second reason.
Moreover, Vietnam has been influenced by the Three Religions for centuries, but their original teachings have become distorted.
Therefore, the purpose of Caodaism is to unite and harmonize the Three Religions, rectifying their tenets to restore their clarity and righteousness, adapting them to the present age. It aims to sound the “Thunder Drum” and ring the “White Jade Bell,” awakening humanity from darkness and guiding them towards the path of virtue.
From now on, Vietnam will have an authentic and revered religion, established by ourselves under the guidance of the Supreme Being. This is a great blessing for the Vietnamese people and an unprecedented honor. Caodaism welcomes believers from all faiths, dismantling the notion of “Each holds to their own Way” and embracing a “Unified Faith” that binds us ever closer. Together, we shall worship the one true God.
Therefore, all those devoted to spiritual cultivation, let go of suspicion and jealousy. Let us unite our hearts and efforts, sharing the burden and spreading the Way of Heaven, casting a compassionate net to rescue countless souls adrift in the sea of suffering. This is the great mission of this Third Amnesty
(*1) This discussion on the Three Religions will focus solely on the Second Amnesty. The First Amnesty, being in the distant past, will not be discussed here.
(*2) & (*3) According to research by European scholars.
(*4) Each considers their own religion to be the true and righteous one.
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