Cao Dai Temple, Vietnam 2007
The Cao Dai religion, founded in 1926, combines the teachings of Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam and other religions into one to promote peace. Major saints include Sun Yat-sen, Victor Hugo and Nguyen Binh Khiem. Lesser dignitaries who have manifested themselves in seances include Joan of Arc, Descartes, Lenin, William Shakespeare, and Winston Churchill. The hierarchy roughly follows that of the Roman Catholic Church with a pope, cardinals, bishops and priests. There are several million practicioners in Vietnam and about a thousand temples. The Great Temple, shown here, is the center of the sect. Constructed between 1933 and 1955, is about 100 kilometers northwest of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
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