Initiation and Its Meaning

According to the Tan-Luat (the New Religious Code), anyone who wishes to follow the Religion (CaoDaism) has to be introduced by two followers of outstanding moral rectitude to the head of the parish/head of the Local Congregation. These two sponsors must initiate and guide the new disciple into the path of ethics and morality. Thus the new follower should learn the prayers by heart, understand the Religious Codes promoted by the Great Faith and must practice the Way.

In order to become a CaoDai Disciple, an ordinary person must have a visible ceremony of initiation. The disciple must kneel before God's Altar and take the following solemn oath "I ..........vow that from now on I will know only one Cao-Dai Religion (God- Way Religion), I will never change my mind, I will live in harmony and be a close member of the believer's community, I will observe Cao-Dai Laws and Regulations. Should I change my mind, I shall be exterminated by Heaven and Earth". This ceremony has a spiritual value to the Religion and particularly to the disciples themselves. The ceremony of initiation is presided over and witnessed by a dignitary or sub-dignitary. After the ceremony of initiation the new follower receives a temporary certificate (So Cau Dao tam). The new disciples then are considered in the probation period of 6 months for practising the Way. They learn by heart the prayers in verse, get acquainted with rituals in daily services and major ceremonies, maintain the vegetarian diet at the minimum level of 6 days per month, study God's teachings, and observe the Cao-Dai Laws and Regulations. At the end of the probation period if followers show that they are able to fulfill the required duties for Cao-Dai disciples, they then receive a permanent certificate (So Cau Dao thiet tho).

According to the Secular Rules/Laws on the Secular Life of the Faithful (The-Luat), "Having recognized the existence of one Master, the faithful must consider themselves as children of the same Father. They must love one another, maintain good relations among themselves, help each other sincerely, mutually guide one another in the Religious Path and the secular Path".

After making the solemn vow, the new disciples belong to one universal bond of humanity in the Caodaist community. They make no distinction as to race, nationality, colour and language. They call the other followers brother (huynh, de) and sister (ty, muoi) as brothers and sisters in one family. Baptism spells out a number of duties for the follower as mentioned above; it tacitly involves repentance of all misdeeds done in the past, and the resolution to follow henceforth the path of virtue, righteousness, love, forgiveness and justice.

Moreover, baptism opens the door for the disciple to follow the new pattern of living, thinking, and acting within the framework of Cao-Dai teachings.