Caodaism
(kɑːəʊˈdaɪɪz(ə)m)
[Vietnamese Cao Dai (also used), lit. ‘great palace’ + -ism.]
A syncretistic religion founded in Cochin China in 1926. Hence Caodaist (-ˈdaɪɪst), an adherent of Caodaism.
| 1937 V. Thompson French Indo-China vi. 474 The birth of a new politico-religious sect in Cochin-China called Caodaism in 1926. Ibid., Nationalists and Caodaists use to good effect the plea for liberty of conscience. 1953 Americana Annual 332/2 The Caodaist sect fuses elements of all the great religions. 1953 Newsweek 4 May 48/3 Private armies of politico-religious sects such as the Caodaists (a hodgepodge of Buddhism, Confucianism, Spiritualism, and Christianity). Ibid. 21 Sept. 62/3 Among the most interesting religions..is Caodaism in Indo-China. 1955 Times 2 May 12/2 The Caodai ‘pope’, spiritual leader of the Caodai sect. 1958 A. J. Toynbee East to West xx. 62 A spiritual journey leading up to Caodai-ism as its goal. 1969 New Yorker 20 Sept. 110/3 The scattered religious elements in the South—the Buddhists, the Catholics, the Cao Dai sect. |