ONE MORE EXPERT IN CAODAISM FROM BANGLADESH

Updated 2012-05-14 13:40:20

(News from Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 22, 2010)

The Academic Council of Dhaka University, Bangladesh, on April 21, 2010, has just awarded the degree of Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) to a student of the Department of World Religions, following the recommendation of the Exam Committee of the University. The student’s name is SHAIKH FARID, his thesis for graduation is titled “Caodaism: a syncretistic religion of Viet Nam”. The ceremony of this graduation will be held on May 16, 2010 in the main auditorium of the University.

 

Shaikh Farid and Jahangir Alam, both professors of the Department of World Religions, are now taking charge of the Caodaism course with 44 students for this third-year 5th semester. Mr. Farid teaches Theology and Philosophy of Caodaism, while Mr. Alam concentrates on History, Structure and Organization.

Classes conducted on the topics are:

1. An Outline of Caodaism:  Fundamental Principles, Structure of Caodaism, Nominations and Promotions, Divine Eyes etc. are hilighted.
2. Historical Roots of Caodaism: some basic aspects of Caodaism, background to the rise of Caodaism, Vietnamese Cultural milieu and Caodaism as an Indigenous Religion of Vietnam are focused; Ngo Minh Chieu and his Esoteric Shool of Thought; the contribution of Pope Le Van Trung and Pham Cong Tac with the Exoteric School of Thought; Seance as a powerful force in winning converts, Inaugural Ceremony of the Holy See are also explained.

Exam questions for the semester were held and were as follows:

1. Assess the Vietnamese cultural milieu in which Caodaism emerged in the early 20th century.
2. Caodaism had its origin in 1921, though its roots are much older. Evaluate it from the historical point of view.
3. Analyze the contribution of Caodaism in creating a new order of life.
4. Do you think that Caodaism is an indigenous religion of Vietnam? In this connection give a brief outline of the theory of Caodai spiritism.
5. Explain the nature and characteristics of Caodaism.
6. What do you understand by the Third Revelatory Period? How peace and solidarity have been guaranteed in it? Evaluate.
7. What part of Caodaism impresses you most and why? Give reasons for your answer.
8. Explain the Caodai theory of primordial unity.
9. Write notes on any two of the following:

Divine Eye

Nominations and promotions

Structure of Caodaism

Fundamental principles

To understand more on this religion, we have learned that a delegation of professors and students, headed by Dr. Kazi Islam, Professor and Chairman of the Department of World Religions, will have an opportunity to visit the Cao Dai Holy See in September 2010 per the invitation of the Caodai Overseas Missionary organization.

(The thesis of Shaikh Farid submitted to the Department of World Religions and Culture - click and view)

Redaction (2010)