Venerated Master Ngô Minh Chiêu (vegan): Founder of Cao Đài-ism, Part 1 of 2

Cao Đài-ism was founded in Âu Lạc (Vietnam) more than 95 years ago and has quickly grown to become the third-largest religion in the country. The term “Cao Đài” literally means “Supreme Palace,” referring to the place where God reigns over the Universe, and was also the name which God used to impart Hiers Divine instructions in the creation of Cao Đài. Cao Đài followers believe that God chose the venerated Master Ngô Minh Chiêu and directly transmitted the teachings and method of spiritual practice to Him until He attained the ultimate self-realization and founded Cao Đài-ism.

Master Ngô Minh Chiêu was born in 1878 in Bình Tây village, Chợ Lớn province, Âu Lạc (Vietnam). Being very filial, Master Ngô Minh Chiêu took loving care of His parents. In 1920, Master Ngô Minh Chiêu was appointed as the district chief of Phú Quốc.

During a session in February 1921, God, assuming the name “Supreme Being Cao Đài,” told Master Ngô Minh Chiêu to become vegetarian (vegan) in order to receive Hiers teaching. He painted a picture of what He saw, and the Divine Eye became the symbol of God in all Cao Đài’s holy temples.

His Master then transmitted an esoteric method of spiritual practice and told Him to keep it a secret until He attained complete enlightenment. Master Ngô Minh Chiêu led a remarkably simple and modest life. Performing His duties as a judge, Master Ngô Minh Chiêu worked tirelessly, investigating and gathering evidence to ensure that citizens were judged fairly. Upholding honesty and righteousness, Master Ngô Minh Chiêu strictly adhered to the principle “never stealing even one-tenth of a penny if it’s not ours.” He also taught His disciples, “Do good deeds often but discreetly, and don’t expect anything in return.”

In 2009, Supreme Master Ching Hai mentioned the Cao Đài religion. “(Followers, teachers…the teachers must be life-long vegetarians. The Cao Đài religion followed and preached the messages from God, so the Cao Đài religion is God’s religion.) And I knew that the Master of Cao Đài in the past was an enlightened Master. Therefore, anything He taught was correct, just like Buddha or Jesus, I put it all on TV. I told them to find religions that are similar, have similar teachings, so that those religions won’t fight anymore, won’t misunderstand each other anymore, won’t despise each other anymore; and they must respect and help each other. That was the objective.”