CaoDai: Faith of Unity

By Hum Dac Bui and Ngasha Beck

2000: by H. D. Bui - 1st Edition - The author's vision is to unite all of humanity through a common vision of the Supreme Being. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0942531116
• ISBN13: 9780942531114
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Emerald Wave
• Length: 118 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.3" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating story of a new religion

"CaoDai: Faith of Unity," by Hum Dac Bui with Ngasha Beck, is a nonfiction study of the CaoDai religion, which was founded in Vietnam in the 1920s. A minibio at the end of the book notes that author Hum Dac Bui was born in Vietnam and came to the U.S. in 1975.I found this book absolutely fascinating. It discusses many aspects of the CaoDai faith: founding, ecclesiastic structure, cosmology, meditation practices, its suppression under the French colonial regime, the components of the altar, etc. Particularly interesting is the exploration of CaoDai's relationship to other faith traditions, like Christianity, Taoism, Unitarian Universalism, and more. Also intriguing is the discussion of French author Victor Hugo, who is considered a CaoDai saint.The book stresses that "CaoDai is a thriving, growing, ever expanding theology." The tone throughout is respectful of religious diversity and supportive of interfaith harmony. CaoDai is discussed within the context of a broader interfaith movement.The book also includes a useful glossary. Overall, a really intriguing look at a compelling modern religion.

A good resource....

One of the few works in English that explores this amazing spiritual tradition. Definately worth the price!

an apology for Cao Dai

This book is a nearly-proselytizing apology for the Cao Dai religion, popular in southern Vietnam. Cao Dai is a fascinating religion, and this is one evidence of it. It includes a conversation between the spirit of Victor Hugo and a Cao Dai leader in 1930, illustrations of symbolic hand gestures and other symbols, common prayers and vows, and Hum Dac Bui's presentation of Cao Dai philosophy. In short, it is an incredible primary source. But if you want an outside perspective, look elsewhere. I've heard that Victor Oliver's book "Caodai Spiritism" is good, but I haven't read it. Joyce Werner's "Peasant Politics and Religious Sectarianism" is a Yale doctoral thesis, an account of the spread and popularity of Cao Dai. Graham Greene considered converting to Cao Dai but became disillusioned; he gives his interesting, humorous perspective in "The Quiet American," which I recommend for literary reasons as well.