The Cao Dai followers in Hồ Chí Minh city practice the motto “serve public life – Nation is glorious, the way enlightens”
07/31/2013
Hồ Chí Minh city is one of the major economic, cultural, social centers in our country. In Hồ Chí Minh city there are many beliefs and religions as: Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Caodaism, Hoa Hao Buddhism, Baha’i, Minh su faith, Minh Ly faith…
Today, the Cao dai religion has 24 parishes, a Representative Board, 42 places of worship and over 30,000 followers who practice religious activities in many districts in Hồ Chí Minh city. In the term 2007 – 2012, Caodai followers in Hồ Chí Minh city not only practice their religious activities under the Charter, orientation of the church but also observe all Party’s guidelines, policies, the law of the State; they actively respond to the campaign “Study and follow Uncle Ho’s moral example” and take part in social and charitable activities and the movement of patriotic emulation with motto “serve public life – Nation is glorious, the way enlightens”.
To respond to the campaign “study and follow Uncle Ho’s moral example”, in Hồ Chí Minh city, Representative Board of Cao Dai church and followers consider this campaign as main content in their mental exercise and their religious activities. Cao Dai followers find that Hồ Chí Minh’s humanism is consistent with the teachings of Cao Dai. Especially, Hồ Chí Minh’s precious virtues “industry, thrift, integrity, uprightness and selfness” are similarities with the ethics of true religions; Hồ Chí Minh dedicated all his life to the independence and freedom of the country, happiness of people. Because the true values of Caodaism are to sacrifice one’s self for community; to save people from misery, Cao Dai followers in Hồ Chí Minh city have actively studied and followed Uncle Ho’s moral example. They carry out emulation movement in production, moral exercise of Cao Dai followers. They respond to movements: “building cultured family”; “maintenance of security and safety in locality”; “practice thrift and do not waste in families”…. In recent years material and spiritual life of Cao Dai believers in Hồ Chí Minh city has been improved; their religious activities are ebullient; many religious buildings are restored, repaired and built; many followers and dignitaries are typical citizen and advanced labors. Especially, many dignitaries take part in governmental and social organizations, unions as People’s Committee, the Fatherland Front at all levels…. They have promoted their roles and are highly appreciated by people and followers
Besides practicing a religious life under the Charter, orientation of the church, charitable works often are focused by Representative Board of the Cao Dai church in Hồ Chí Minh city. Although, Caodai followers’ lives are difficult, they are ready to take care and share with the people who are living in natural disaster areas. The parishes often give many gifts to poor people on holidays, religious holidays; they aid people timely when flood disasters take place; they help poor students, build the “houses of compassion” for poor families, serve free lunch for poor labors; distribute daily meals for poor patients at Cho Ray hospital, Orthopedic center, oncology...The Cao Dai followers in Tay Ninh have built a nursing house in Long Van parish, Linh Trung ward, Thu Duc district with 20 beds for dignitaries, sub-dignitaries religious and old people. Every year. Sai Gon parish serves from 80 to 100 funerals of poor people. These actions show sincere hearts. Cao Dai followers in Ho Chi Minh city have donated 27,976,178,000 of Vietnam dong during 5 years (2007 - 2012). Many parishes such as Sai Gon, Cho Lon, Long Van, Linh Dong, Phuoc Kieng, Binh Trung Tay, ward 1, ward 3, Binh Thanh, Phuoc Thanh, Thanh My Loi, Thu Thiem actively participate in charitable works , …
The Head of Representative Board of Cao Dai in Hồ Chí Minh city said that “the Caodaism was formed by Supreme Being, Jade Emperor in the first half of the 20th century, benevolence saves all living beings and love is foundation of serving public life. We support to help poor people, share the pain of unhappy people and help them to overcome difficulties and troubles in their life. For poor people, we provide the medication, free meals in many places of the city as Long Van parish, Sai Gon, Cho Lon, Binh Thanh…”
Cao dai followers in Hồ Chí Minh city not only participate in charitable activities, but also in the emulation movements of the city such as the campaign “for poor people”, “people unite to build a new cultural life in resident areas” “Vietnamese costumers use Viet Nam products” “for Truong Sa and Fatherland”… they implement Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated February 24th 2011 of Government on solutions mainly focusing on containing inflation, stabilizing the macro economy, guaranteeing the social security; They implement the movement “three savings, three supports”; the “Year for Safety traffic - 2012” launched by the Committee of Viet Nam Fatherland Front of Hồ Chí Minh city and the Instruction No. 46 – CT/TW of Secretariat on the prevention of the penetration of harmful cultural products spoiling social ethics. From these practical works, Cao Dai followers in Hồ Chí Minh city have received many awards, commendations of the Committee of Viet Nam Fatherland Front and People’s Committee of Hồ Chí Minh city. In 2012, the Minister of Home Affairs decided to award certificate of merit to Representative Board of Cao Dai in Hồ Chí Minh city .
Many activities “for better secular and religious life” of Cao Dai followers in Hồ Chí Minh city have contributed to the cause of social and economic development as well as building a new life for people with the purpose “Rich people, strong nation, equitable, democratic and civilized society” and motto “serve public life – Nation is glorious, the way enlightens”
Minh Tiệp
