caodaism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2 Level, specialized/religious vocabulary)Formal, academic, religious, historical; occasionally appears in journalism about Vietnamese culture or comparative religion.
Quick answer
What does “caodaism” mean?
A syncretic, monotheistic religion originating in Vietnam in the early 20th century, formally known as Đạo Cao Đài, which combines elements from Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A syncretic, monotheistic religion originating in Vietnam in the early 20th century, formally known as Đạo Cao Đài, which combines elements from Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam.
The religious, philosophical, and cultural system associated with the Cao Đài faith, including its practices, ecclesiastical hierarchy, temples (known as Holy Sees), and its goal of unifying all major world religions under a single divine principle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. Both variants use the same term with equal rarity. Awareness of the religion may be slightly higher in the UK and Commonwealth nations due to historical connections with Southeast Asia.
Connotations
Neutral and descriptive. Carries connotations of syncretism, Vietnamese spirituality, and 20th-century religious movements.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Used almost exclusively in contexts of religious studies, world history, or travel writing about Vietnam.
Grammar
How to Use “caodaism” in a Sentence
[Subject] practises Caodaism.[Subject] studies the history of Caodaism.Caodaism combines [object: religious elements].Caodaism was founded in [time/place].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “caodaism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A – not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The Caodaism temple was ornate.
- Caodaism beliefs are syncretic.
American English
- The Caodaist temple was colorful.
- Caodaism theology is unique.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, anthropology, and Southeast Asian history papers. Example: 'Caodaism represents a significant case study in modern religious syncretism.'
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might occur in travel conversations: 'We visited the Cao Đài temple, which is the centre for Caodaism.'
Technical
Used in theological or comparative religion contexts to classify belief systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “caodaism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “caodaism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “caodaism”
- Misspelling as 'Caodism', 'Caudaism', or 'Caodaisim'.
- Incorrect capitalisation: writing 'caodaism' in lower case.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a Caodaism'). It is an uncountable proper noun.
- Confusing it with 'Caodaist', which is the noun for a follower.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In Vietnam, Caodaism is officially recognized as one of the major religions. Academically, it is studied as a new religious movement with millions of adherents, not typically classified as a cult.
The Divine Eye, or the Eye of Providence, often depicted within a triangle, is the primary symbol, representing God's omnipresence.
Caodaism was founded in 1926 in the city of Tây Ninh, southern Vietnam, by Ngô Văn Chiêu and others following a series of spiritual revelations.
No, Caodaism is strictly monotheistic. It believes in one God, known as Cao Đài, but venerates a range of religious figures (like Buddha, Jesus, Confucius) as saints and prophets who revealed aspects of the same divine truth.
A syncretic, monotheistic religion originating in Vietnam in the early 20th century, formally known as Đạo Cao Đài, which combines elements from Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam.
Caodaism is usually formal, academic, religious, historical; occasionally appears in journalism about vietnamese culture or comparative religion. in register.
Caodaism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkaʊˈdaɪ.ɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkaʊˈdaɪ.ɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The Eye of Providence: A central symbol in Caodaism, representing the divine eye of God.”
- “The Threefold Alliance: Refers to the union of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism in Caodaist doctrine.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CAO' means 'high' and 'ĐÀI' means 'tower' or 'dais'. Caodaism is the 'High Tower' faith that aims to reach God by combining the best of many religions.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGION IS A SYNTHESIS / A TAPESTRY (It weaves together different threads of belief).
Practice
Quiz
What is a core characteristic of Caodaism?