Building another interreligious bridge

On Friday morning of Easter (13 April 2012), some representatives of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and the Commission for Communication in Saigon Diocese, along with Rev. Raymond Ambroise, visited Saigon Cao Dai Temple and Tam Tong Mieu (Three-Religion Temple).

Rev. Raymond Ambroise and the Head of Saigon Caodai parish, Rev. Thai Tho Thanh

Rev. Thai Tho Thanh, the priest and Head of this Caodai Temple, of Tay Ninh Holy See on Tran Hung Dao street warmly welcomed us, showing us around and explaining the meaning of the Divine Eye and other religious figures. Thanks to Sister Anna P., the interpreter, the conversation between the two parties was going well. Prior to leaving the Temple, the Head of Saigon Caodai parish offered Rev. Raymond Ambroise some books on Cao Dai beliefs.

At Tam Tong Mieu (the main Temple of Minh Ly Church), the dialogue was more interactive as Rev. Dai Bac, Deputy Head of the Temple, and Rev. Raymond communicated directly with each other in English. While talking with Minh Ly disciples, Rev. Raymond also introduced the Hindu faith and compared it with Christian beliefs. After discussing the concepts of God, of life after death and of liberation, we were guided to visit the Charity Clinic. “Here is where the inter-religious dialogue truly happens and is in action,” Rev. Raymond said. Knowing that the following Sunday, Tam Tong Mieu’s health delegation would go to serve poor patients of all religious origins in Long An, we wished them a successful trip as we said good bye and thanks to Minh Ly’s disciples at their “headquarters” on Cao Thang street.

Salutation at the Three-Religion Temple

After the two meetings with dignitaries of Cao Dai and Minh Ly Churche, the Indian priest - who had studied sociology of religion - and our Pastoral group members discover further about the people and beliefs of the two Vietnamese-born religions (Minh Lý in 1924, and Caodaism in 1926). Perhaps the focal and linking point of the two visits is the hospitality and open-heartedness of the Viet people toward visitors, regardless of their different religious traditions.

 

Diocesan Commission for Interreligious Dialogue

Translator: BD