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JOURNEY TO TAIWAN BY THE SACERDOTAL COUNCIL OF CAO ĐAI TAY NINH HOLY SEE (PART 5)

JOURNEY TO TAIWAN BY THE SACERDOTAL COUNCIL OF CAO ĐAI TAY NINH HOLY SEE (PART 5)

Updated 2013-08-11 10:39:54

(Reported from Taipei on July 24^th 2013 by Archbishop Thai Con Thanh and Archbishop Ngoc Hong Thanh – Pictures taken by Nguyen Tri Luc- Translated by Tuan Em)

Day 4 in Taipei (Tuesday July 23^rd 2013) continued from Part 4

At 2:20pm on July 23^rd 2013, the Cao Dai delegation continued its visit to Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Monument. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen was one of the 3 Saints of the White Lodge depicted in a painting at the entrance of the Cao Dai Tay Ninh Holy see (the 2 others Saints are : Victor Hugo and Trang Trinh Nguyen Binh Khiem).

In this hot afternoon at 39⁰ Celsius, the statue of Sun Yat-Sen sat majestically on a pedestal in the big hall, two uniformed guards stood watch in silence and motionless. Tourists of all ages came to visit in drove.

Leaving the Memorial Monument at 3:00pm, the Caodai delegation went to visit the Museum of World religions. A tour guide greeted the delegates and took them to a special tour of the museum. The guide tour explained in details about the architectural exhibits of each chamber, especially on the skillfully imitated models of important religious architecture and symbols of many great religions of the world. There were 10 big religions which had the model of their temples exhibited : Christianity – Islam – Hindouism – Buddhism – Daoism – Sikhism – Judaism – Shintoism – Egytian ancient religions – Maya indigenous religions. In addition, there was an exhibition area for Chinese folklore religions.

Requirements for having the religion exhibited at the museum are based on the basis of history and number of followers. The first 8 religions are given permanent display, while the last two have special rotating exhibitions.

At the end of the tour, The Cardinal presented a special gift to the Director of the Museum. It was a lacquered painting of the Cao Dai Tay Ninh Holy See. The Cardinal gave a brief introduction to Caodaism and explained the special architecture of the Holy See, which depicted an harmonious combination of East and West religious styles. The Cardinal also mentioned that according to the American anthropologist in religions Jack Davis Eller, Caodaism was listed as the number ten of the world great religions based on the number of followers (equal to Shintoism in Japan). Madam Minchen Fan, the Museum Director, promised to bring up Caodaism to the Board of Directors for consideration and for special research.

The Caodai delegation left the Museum at 5:00pm, ending its visit to Taipei. (The End)