The sacredness of marriage in Cao Dai religion

In Caodaism, the marriage ceremony is a momentous ritual, carrying sacred significance, marking the beginning of a marital union between a man and a woman, when they become husband and wife. The religious law clearly defines the duties of husband and wife in its Secular Law section, and the Supreme Being – the highest authority of the religion – bestows the sacrament of marriage as a sacred blessing, uniting two people in love, respect, and selflessness, to live harmoniously together for life.

Today, although the full practice of marriage is no longer observed for various reasons, the wedding ceremony is still solemnly celebrated at the temple for couples who wish to marry in the light of religious law.

According to Professor Ngoc Chia Thanh, acting Supreme Patriarch of the Tay Ninh Holy See's Ceremonial Institute, the prerequisite for performing the marriage ceremony is that both the bride and groom must be "initiated" followers of the Cao Dai religion. In addition, they need confirmation from the local ceremonial committee and congregation that they have never been married before, as well as a legally valid marriage certificate from the authorities. Once all procedures are complete, the Ceremonial Institute will arrange the program and record the marriage ceremony in the register – as a sacred milestone in the couple's new journey.

The bride and groom in traditional attire prepared by the ceremony house.

The 18th day of the 5th lunar month was a significant day in the marriage of Mr. Cao Huu Loi (Long Hoa Ward, Tay Ninh Province) and Ms. Nguyen Doan Truc Phuong ( Ho Chi Minh City). Under the witness of the Supreme Being, both families, and numerous fellow believers, Mr. Loi and Ms. Phuong officially became husband and wife, beginning a new journey where love intertwines with religious faith.

Ms. Truc Phuong originally came from a non-religious family, but through her acquaintance with Mr. Huu Loi, a son of the Holy Land, she gradually approached and learned about Cao Dai religion. Through participating in charitable activities, simple vegetarian meals, and attending the Grand Ceremony of the Supreme Being's Birthday and the Yao Chi Palace Feast in Tay Ninh, she deeply felt the beauty of an indigenous religion and voluntarily converted to it.

The bride Truc Phuong's parents signed the marriage register of the Cao Dai religion.

From early morning, both were present at the wedding venue to prepare for the ceremony. Embroidered dragon and phoenix robes, traditional Vietnamese dresses (áo dài), headscarves (khăn đóng), and conical hats (nón quai thao) were meticulously prepared by the venue. In a flowing pink áo dài and a graceful conical hat, the bride, Trúc Phương, shyly stood beside the elegant groom, Hữu Lợi, who wore a traditional sky-blue áo dài. Together, they recreated the image and atmosphere of a traditional Vietnamese wedding, rich in national identity.

The bride and groom listen attentively to the advice from the officiant.

At the Holy Temple, under the guidance of Professor Ngoc Chia Thanh and in the presence of both families, dignitaries, and fellow believers, the ceremony took place in a solemn and sacred atmosphere. Everyone prayed for the young couple to be blessed by the Supreme Being, and to live happily and harmoniously together.

After the ceremony at the Holy Temple – the shrine dedicated to the Supreme Being, representing Heavenly Father – the two families proceed to the Temple of Gratitude – the shrine of the Divine Mother Yao Chi Kim Mau, a symbol of boundless maternal love. Here, the bride and groom, along with both families, offer prayers of gratitude for their ancestors' upbringing and seek their protection, hoping for a fulfilling marriage and a harmonious life in both religious and secular matters.

The wedding ceremony took place in the presence of relatives, fellow believers, and friends from both families.

A distinctive feature of Cao Dai wedding ceremonies is that after the marriage ceremony, all wedding receptions are held as vegetarian meals, symbolizing purity and gratitude for divine blessings.

"Many families even invite us to their wedding receptions after the ceremony. On one occasion, I officiated at a ceremony for a couple consisting of a Vietnamese bride and a foreign groom. Despite cultural differences, they still performed the rituals and enjoyed a solemn vegetarian feast together," Professor Ngoc Chia Thanh shared.

The wedding ceremony is not only a memorable milestone in the life of each couple following the Cao Dai religion, but also the origin of understanding, nurtured by faith and sharing. Marriage, therefore, becomes a journey in which the two overcome all obstacles together, supporting and binding themselves for life – as the last two lines of the Cao Dai marriage prayer state: "Within the temple, a single inch of devotion remains; born together, dying together, they are destined to rely on each other."

Khai Tuong

Source: https://baolongan.vn/thieng-lieng-le-hon-phoi-trong-dao-cao-dai-a200417.html