February 25, 1926
THE JADE EMPEROR, OR CAO DAI TIEN ONG DAI BO TAT MA HA TAT, TEACHING THE WAY IN THE SOUTH
… Bow in the very center as I observe you…
Your bowing is correct, but with each nod, remember to recite my mantra: “Namo Cao Dai Tien Ong Dai Bo Tat Ma Ha Tat” (Homage to Cao Dai, the Ancient Father, Great Bodhisattva, Mahasattva).
The Great Ceremony involves bowing three times:
The first time, offering incense and flowers,
The second time, offering wine,
The last time, offering tea.
You must personally offer these oblations.
When bowing, join your hands together, but with the left hand forming the Tý mudra (thumb slightly tucked into the palm), the right hand facing upward beneath it, and the left hand covering the right.
From this day (February 25, 1926), the 13th day of the first month of the Bính Dần year, you must sew a special ceremonial robe, with wide sleeves, a high collar like a Daoist robe, but with nine fastenings, and sky-blue in color. Remember to wear spiked sandals when serving me, but otherwise, always remain barefoot.
What is prostration (lạy)?
It is the outward expression of inner reverence.
Why do you join your hands together?
The left represents the Sun (Nhật), the right represents the Moon (Nguyệt), signifying Yin and Yang. The union of Yin and Yang gives rise to the Universe (Càn Khôn), ceaselessly creating and transforming. This is the Way (Đạo).
Why do you prostrate twice to people?
It is because they are the source of human life, the union of Yin and Yang. This is the Way.
Why do you prostrate four times to the deceased?
It is because two prostrations are for the human aspect, one for Heaven, and one for Earth.
Why do you prostrate three times to Sages and Saints?
It is to pay homage to those who belong to the third rank of Heaven, and it also signifies the union of Essence (Tinh), Energy (Khí), and Spirit (Thần). This is the Way.
Why do you prostrate nine times to Immortals and Buddhas?
It is because of the Nine Celestial Beings of Creation (Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa).
And why do you prostrate twelve times to me?
The Twelve Openings of Heaven (Thập nhị Khai Thiên) are me, the Lord of the Universe, who holds the Twelve Time Spirits (Thập nhị Thời Thần) in my hand. The number twelve is my unique number.
Do you not know?
The Twelve Openings of Heaven (Thập nhị Khai Thiên) are me, the Lord of the Universe, who holds the Twelve Time Spirits (Thập nhị Thời Thần) in my hand. The number twelve is my unique number.
… It is not yet time for you to fully understand why venerating the Divine Eye is my sacred image, but I will give you a brief explanation.
The eye is the master of the heart,
The two lights are the sovereign,
Light is Spirit,
Spirit is Heaven,
Heaven is I.
Spirit has been the missing element in the profound mechanism of creation since the Way was closed. With the establishment of this Third Era of Universal Redemption (Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ), I alone reunite Spirit with Essence and Energy, completing the Three Treasures (Tam Bửu), thus enabling the miraculous union of the mundane and the divine.
Remember to explain to your fellow disciples why we worship my Divine Eye.
… Although the ranks of Gods, Saints, Immortals, and Buddhas still exist since the closing of the Way, and their methods of cultivation remain unchanged, Heaven has always scattered Spirit, preventing it from uniting with Essence and Energy.
I have come to restore the True Spirit (Chơn Thần) to you so that you may attain the Way. You must understand that “Spirit resides in the Eye.” Explain this clearly to your fellow disciples. This is the essential key to the origins of Immortals and Buddhas. I advise you that every time you speak of the Way, always remember my name.
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