Dance of Long Ma is organised during the grand ritual dedicated to the Duc Chi Ton (Supreme Being) (Photo: VNA)
Tay Ninh (VNA) – The Cao Dai Tay Ninh Church in the southernprovince of Tay Ninh held the grand ritual dedicated to the Duc Chi Ton(Supreme Being) or Great Father who they believe to be the ancestor of theworld, on February 23.
The event, held annually on the eighth day of the first lunar month, is one ofthe two most important rituals of the sect in a year to pay respect for the GreatFather and pray for good weather, bumper crops and peace.
Theritual include a dance of Long Ma (a legendary creature which is half horse andhalf dragon) and Tu Linh (the four holy beasts) and a performance of Sac Tocmusic, followed by a worshipping ceremony for the Great Father.
An exhibition of 30 models featuring national construction through periods aswell as ancient heroes and legends was kicked off the same day. Those include sutich trau cau (the legend of betel and areca), Co Loa citadel and Lac Long Quanand Au Co. The models are on display until the fifteenth day of the first lunarmonth.
Theother important ritual of Cao Dai sect is “Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung”, a greatreligious banquet for the Great Mother and nine female immortals of the DieuTri Palace (Jasper Pond Palace). It is held annually on the fifteenth day ofthe eighth lunar month. Cao Dai followers believe that the banquet enables themto achieve the goal of liberating themselves from the cycle of birth and death.
Founded in 1926 inTay Ninh province, the Cao Dai religion worships the Divine Eye, known as theeye of heaven and a symbol of its supreme being. Cao Dai’s doctrine honours theDivine and the miraculous quality of supreme spirits, and considers them as themeans for human beings to unify with the God. It is now the third largestreligion in Vietnam with millions of followers nationwide.-VNA
VNA
