Caodaism History

Cao Dao Temple in in Tay Ninh, Vietnam:

1. In 1919, Ngô Van Chiêu, an administrator in French Indochina, was said to have received a communication from the Supreme Being during a séance.
   
   
2. All Caodaisms first disciples, Ngô Van Chiêu, Cao Qu&ygrave;nh Cu, Pham Công Tâc and Cao Hoòi Sang, claimed to have received communications directly from God instructing them to establish a new religion.
   
   
3. Cao Dai was formerly established in Tây Ninh Vietnam in 1926.
   
   
4. During World War II, the whole of Indochina, including Vietnam, was occupied by Japan. From 1943 onwards, a Cao Dai army was established.
   
   
5. During the First Indochina War (1946 to 1954), many Caodaists were active in the struggle to gain Vietnamese independence from France.
   
   
6. During the early part of the Second Indochina War (1955 to 1975), many Caodaists first supported, and subsequently opposed the regime of South Vietnamese President Ngô Dinh Diêm. During the years 1955 to 1956, Ngô Dinh Diêm disbanded the Cao Dai army and forced the Cao Dai Pope (Pham Cong Tac) into exile.
   
   
7. Many Caodaists also opposed Communism during the Second Indochina War (Vietnam War) period. After the conclusion of the war in 1975, the Communist government of Vietnam proscribed Cao Dai for more than two decades. Only in 1997 was the Cao Dai granted legal recognition in Vietnam.
   
   
8. Emigration (in part caused by the Vietnam War and its aftermath) has resulted in the establishment of ethnic Vietnamese communities in many different countries around the world. Consequently, there are today Caodaists in many countries including Australia, Canada, European countries, and the United States of America.