Description : The Pope's ceremonial dress includes a full form, and a simple form.
The full form is made of white silk embroidered with yellow lotuses from top to bottom and decorated on both sides with the three Insignia : Long Tu Phiến /龍鬚扇 (the Fan of Exteriorisation), Thư Hùng Kiếm / 雌雄劍 (The Sword of Elevation), Phất Chủ / 拂麈 (the Duster of Holiness, Feather Duster of Purification). These are the distinctive symbols of Thượng Phẩm /上品 and Thượng Sanh /上生, the Spiritual and Temporal Superiors of the Hiệp Thiên Đài / 協天臺.
He wears a high golden headdress with five layers, octagonal in shape, representing the Eight states of soul of the Manvantara (Bát Quái /八卦) and symbolising the five former religious branches. This headdress is closed in the middle of the layers and has a Swastika at the top; in the middle of the Swastika is the “Divine Eye” surrounded by a Golden Circle. On the front of the headdress there are three distinctive insignia embroidered as mentioned above.
In his right hand the Pope holds the papal staff, about 90cm long, the upper end of which is decorated with a gold Swastika. In the middle of the Swastika is the “Divine Eye” surrounded with a Golden Circle.
The simple form of vestments is also made of white silk, embroidered in gold with Eight Characters (Pa Kua / 八卦 / the Eight Trigrams), representing the Eight Elements of the Genesis “Bát Quái /八卦” : the character “坎 / KHẢM” (Water) on the abdomen, “艮 / CẤN” (Mountain) on the right arm, “震 / CHẤN” (Thunder) on the left arm, "兌 / ÐOÀI "(Lake) on the right shoulder, "巽 / TỐN" (Wind) on the left shoulder, “離 / LY” (Fire) over the heart, “坤 / KHÔN” (Earth) on the back.
On the head is a headdress, the mitre “Hiệp Chưởng Mạo / 合掌帽” (mitre for the Pope of the Bonzes) made of white silk, .333m high, the top of which is divided into two points, linked both front and back by a fold (symbol of the union of the Yin and the Yang). This soft headdress is surrounded by a white silk cord the ends of which are of different lengths. The longer end must be .3 metres, the width must be .03 metres. On the front of the headdress is embroidered the character “乾 / CÀN” (Heaven).
On the feet are shoes of the type called “Vô Ưu /無憂” (shoes not made of leather) made of white silk, symbolising the “Freedom-From-Care / without worry”. On the toes are embroidered the two baptismal names (two characters) of the dignitaries of the two colleges of men and of women. For example, on the shoes of our Pope, are embroidered the two characters “Thanh Hương / 清香” (Purity and Sweetness).
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First Caodaist Giáo Tông / 教宗 (interim) (disincarnated in November 1934) in the simple form for the Giáo Tông / 教宗/Pope |
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Description
I. - The ceremonial dress of the Legislative Cardinal of the Buddhist Branch includes a full form, and a simple form.
The full dress is made of yellow silk embroidered with the Eight characters of the “Bát Quái /八卦” just like those on the simple form of dress worn by the Pope. The Cardinal wears over this the large red Buddhist cloak, called “Bá Nạp Quang / 百衲光” (Cloak with a hundred squares symbolising the Hundred Aspects of Patience). On his head he wears the mitre of the Superior of the Bonzes (Hiệp Chưởng Hòa Thượng). In his right hand he holds the “Bát Vu / 缽盂” (the Golden Bowl for Sakyamuni); on his feet are yellow shoes of the type called “Vô Ưu /無憂” (shoes not made of leather). On the toes is the character “Thích / 釋” (Buddhism).
The simple form of vestments is also made of yellow silk, like the full form, but there is no cloak and no mitre. There is no headdress, but his head is covered with a yellow turban with nine layers one on top of the other. The lowest layer has the form of the character “Nhứt” (unity).
II. - The ceremonial dress of the Legislative Cardinal of the Taoist Branch consists of a full form and a simple form.
The full dress form is made of white silk. On the front of the chest, and likewise on the back, is embroidered the “Divine Eye” surrounded by a Golden Circle (Vòng Minh Khí). On his head he wears the same mitre “Hiệp Chưởng Mạo / 合掌帽” as found in the simple form of dress for the Pope. In his right hand he holds the “Phất Chủ / 拂麈” ( Feather Duster of Purification, the Duster of Holiness). On his feet are white shoes of the type called “Vô Ưu /無憂” (shoes not made of leather). On the toes is the character “Đạo / 道” (Taoism).
The simple form of dress is white like the full form. The headdress is the same turban as worn by the Buddhist Legislative Cardinal , but white.
III. - The ceremonial dress of the Legislative Cardinal of the Confucianist Branch also consists of a full form and a simple form.
The full dress form is entirely red. On the front of the chest and on the back is embroidered the "Thiên Nhãn / 天眼 / Divine Eye" surrounded by a golden circle. His head is covered with the headdress of Confucius (Văn Đằng). This is likewise red, and on the front is embroidered the "Thiên Nhãn / 天眼 / Divine Eye" surrounded by a gold circle with the Northern Star / 北斗 (Bắc Ðẩu Tinh-Quân) above. In his hand is the Book “Xuân-Thu / 春秋” (Spring and Autumn). On his feet are shoes of the same colour, of the type called “Vô Ưu /無憂” (shoes not made of leather). On the toes is the character “Nho / 儒” (Confucianism).
The simple form of dress is red like the full form. The headdress is a turban of the same colour, with nine layers one on top of the other, like the turbans of the Buddhist and Taoist Legislative Cardinal .
. Description :
I.- The ceremonial dress of the Cardinal from the Buddhist Branch (Thái) consists of a full form and a simple form.
The full form of dress is made of yellow silk. On the front of the chest and on the back six characters are embroidered : Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ / 大道三期普度 (Third Amnesty of God in the East). These characters are arranged in a circle, and in the middle is embroidered the character “Thái” (Buddhism). They are surrounded with three mystic circles. There are nine sashes in this form of dress.
This is covered by a red Buddhist cloak, “Bá Nạp Quang / 百衲光”, as for the Legislative Cardinal of the Buddhist Branch. He wears a high yellow octagonal headdress embroidered all the way round with the eight characters of the “Bát Quái /八卦”. On his feet are black shoes of the type called “Vô Ưu /無憂” (shoes not made of leather). On the toes is the character “Thái” (Buddhism).
The simple form of dress is made of yellow silk like the full form, without any cloak. There is no headdress, but on the head there is a yellow turban with nine layers one on top of the other, like the turban of the Legislative Cardinal of the Buddhist Branch.
II.- The ceremonial dress of the Cardinal from the Taoist Branch also consists of a full form and a simple form. The full form of dress, like that of the Cardinal of the Buddhist Branch, is blue. In the centre of the six embroidered characters “Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ / 大道三期普度”, is the character “Thượng” (Taoism). There are nine sashes in this form of dress.
On his head is a “Bát Quái Mạo / 八卦帽” like the one worn by the Cardinal of the Buddhist Branch, but it is an intense blue. On his feet are black shoes of the type called “Vô Ưu /無憂” (shoes not made of leather). On the toes is the character “Thuong” (Taoism).
The simple form of dress is made of blue silk like the full form, without any cloak. There is no headdress, but on his head there is a blue turban with nine layers one on top of the other, like the turban of the Legislative Cardinal of the Buddhist Branch.
III.- The ceremonial dress of the Cardinal from the Confucianist Branch (Ngọc) also consists of a full form and a simple form.
The full form of dress, like that of the other cardinals is red silk. In the centre of the six embroidered characters “Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ / 大道三期普度”, is the character “Ngọc” (Confucianism). There are nine sashes too in this form of dress.
On his head is a “Bát Quái Mạo / 八卦帽” like the one worn by the Cardinal of the Taoist Branch, but it is red. On his feet are black shoes of the type called “Vô Ưu /無憂” (shoes not made of leather). On the toes is the character “Ngọc” (Confucianism).
The simple form of dress is like the full form. There is no headdress, but on his head there is a purple turban with nine layers one on top of the other, like the turban of the Cardinal of the Buddhist Branch.
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when he was Dignitary with the title Đầu Sư /頭師/Cardinal of the Taoist Branch dressed as Đầu Sư /頭師 for major ceremonies |
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in the simple form of dress for Đầu Sư /頭師 for odinary ceremonies |
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Description : Their ceremonial dress consists of a full form and a simple form as with the Cardinals, but on the chest and the back of their full form of dress is embroidered the “Divine Eye” surrounded by a mystic Circle.
The dress for the Principal Archbishops has nine sashes, while the Archbishops' only has three.
The Principal Archbishop of the Buddhist Branch wears a “Đại-Bá Nạp Quang / 百衲光”, a large square purple cloak, while the Archbishop wears a “Tiểu-Bá Nạp Quang / 百衲光”, a small cloak of the same colour.
On their head is a “Bát Quái Mạo / 八卦帽” like the Cardinals', but the colour varies depending on the Branch. On their feet they wear black shoes of the type called “Vô Ưu /無憂” (shoes not made of leather) with no characters on the toes.
The simple form of dress is like the full form, but the headdress is a turban like the one worn by the Cardinals, in a different colour depending on the powers of each Prelate.
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Dignitary with the title Phối Sư / 配師 (Archbishop of the Buddhist Branch) in full ceremonial dress |
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Dignitary with the title Phối Sư / 配師 (Archbishop of the Taoist Branch) in full ceremonial dress |
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in the simple form of dress for Phối Sư / 配師 (Archbishop) for ordinary ceremonies |
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Description : The ceremonial dress for the Bishops also consists of a full form and a simple form. The full form of dress is made of silk coloured according to the Branch. On the chest and the back of the dress is embroidered the “Divine eye” surrounded by a mystic Circle. The gown has three sashes. On the head is a “Thiên Nguơn Mạo Bát Quái / 天元帽八卦” (a rounded headdress octagonal in shape). Its colour varies according to each Branch. Around it are embroidered the eight characters which represent the Eight Trigrams / Pa Kua (Bát Quái /八卦), and its peak is decorated with a Pearl, the Symbol of the Purity of the Divine Doctrine.
Bishops do not wear shoes.
The simple form of dress is like the full form. On the head is a turban, the colour of which varies according to each Branch, with seven layers one on top of the other, arranged in the form of the character “Nhơn / 人” (Humanity).
There is an exception: the Bishops of the Buddhist Branch wear a “Tiểu-Bá Nạp Quang / 百衲光” (a small square purple cloak), and on their heads they wear the Mitre of the Chief of the Bonzes “Hiệp Chưởng Mạo / 合掌帽”, embroidered with the “Divine Eye” on each side.
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Dignitary with the title Giáo Sư / 教師 (Bishop) of the Buddhist Branch in full ceremonial dress |
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Dignitary with the title Giáo Sư / 教師 (in 1946) of the Taoist Branch in full ceremonial dress |
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Description : Their ceremonial dress is made of silk, and the colour varies according to each Branch. There is no embroidery, and there are three sashes.
On their heads they wear a “Nguỡng-Thiên-Mạo” (a round headdress with a flat top). Its colour varies, and it is 0.15 of a metre high, with the “Divine Eye” on the front, surrounded by three mystic Circles.
Priests do not wear a turban or shoes.
They have only one form of dress.
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Dignitary with the title Giáo Hữu / 教友 (Priest) in ceremonial dress NOTE : The Giáo Hữu / 教友 (Priest) has only one form of dress for both major and ordinary ceremonies |
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Description : Student-Priests have only one form of dress made of silk, like the Priests'.
Their main garment varies in colour according to each Branch. They wear on their heads a “Khôi Khoa Mạo / 魁科帽” (the headdress of Confucian bachelors), with the “Divine Eye” on the front, surrounded by a single Mystic Circle / Golden Circle.
Student-Priests do not wear shoes.
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in the dress of a Student-Priest/ Lễ Sanh / 禮生 |
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Description : The Chánh Trị Sự / 正治事 wear a white robe like the one worn by the Student-Priests, made of white calico. The waist is drawn in by a narrow belt of the same material five centimetres wide. The neck of the robe is finished with a band of ribbon woven in yellow-gold thread. On the left arm there is a group of ribbons in three colours (yellow, blue, red). These are six centimetres wide and ten centimetres long. On their heads they wear a black turban with seven layers one on top of the other, arranged in the form of the character “Nhơn / 人” (Humanity).
On the front of the turban there are three distinctive signs embroidered : “The Book of Spring and Autumn, the Feather Duster of Purification, and the Bowl of Sakyamuni" as on the small headdress of Hộ Pháp / 護法.
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A Chánh Trị Sự / 正治事 (Mr Dương-văn-Tâm) Village Leader NOTE : All Minor Dignitaries have only one form of ceremonial dress |
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Description : The Phó Trị Sự / 副治事 like the Chánh Trị Sự / 正治事 wear a white robe finished at the neck by a band of ribbon made of silver-white material, with a single sash but no belt. On the left arm there is a group of ribbons in three colours (yellow, blue, red), three centimetres wide and five centimetres long.
On their head they wear a black turban with seven layers one on top of the other, like the one worn by the Chánh Trị Sự / 正治事, with no insignia.
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A Phó Trị Sự / 副治事 (Mr Trần-văn-Giãng) Deputy-Head of a Village (Administrative Section) |
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Description : The Thông Sự / 通事 wear a form of dress in white calico, with no borders. The collar is embroidered on both sides with the three distinctive insignia, like those found on the turban of the Chánh Trị Sự / 正治事. There is a narrow belt five centimetres wide made of white material.
On their head they wear a black turban like the one worn by Chánh Trị Sự / 正治事. with the same insignia in the middle of the front.
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A Thông Sự / 通事 (Mr Dương-văn-Thanh) Deputy Village Head (Legislative Section) |
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FOR A CAODAIST ADEPT / Đạo hữu /
道友 |
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Contents
FOREWORD/INTRODUCTION/PREFACE
POWERS OF
CỬU TRÙNG ĐÀI / EXECUTIVE BODY /
九重臺
RELIGIOUS VESTMENTS OF THE DIGNITARIES OF THE COLLEGE OF MEN OF THE
CỬU TRÙNG ĐÀI / EXECUTIVE BODY /
九重臺
DIGNITARIES OF THE COLLEGE OF WOMEN
LAW FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIGNITARIES OF THE
CỬU TRÙNG ĐÀI / EXECUTIVE BODY /
九重臺
POWERS OF THE
HIỆP THIÊN ĐÀI / 協天臺 / LEGISLATIVE BODY
CEREMONIAL DRESS OF THE DIGNITARIES OF THE
HIỆP THIÊN ĐÀI
/ 協天臺
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