April 24, 1926
THE JADE EMPEROR, OR CAO DAI
TIEN ONG DAI BO TAT MA HA TAT
TEACHING THE WAY IN THE SOUTH
Originally, I established the Five Branches of the Great Way, which are:
The Way of Humanity (Nhơn Đạo)
The Way of Spirits
The Way of Saints (Thánh Đạo)
The Way of Immortals (Tiên Đạo)
The Way of Buddha (Phật Đạo).
The True Religion was established according to the customs and traditions of humanity. Because in the past, when Qian (Heaven) was incomprehensible and Kun (Earth) was unfathomable, humanity only practiced the Way within the confines of their own lands.
Now, humanity has become interconnected, and Qian and Kun are fully understood, yet people are often at odds with each other due to these various Paths. Therefore, I have decided to return everything to its original unity. Furthermore, in the past, I entrusted the True Religion to mortal hands, and over time, it drifted further from the Divine Teaching and became a worldly religion. This has caused me great sorrow, seeing how for nearly ten thousand years, humanity has fallen into sin and faces the end times in the Avīci hell.
I am determined to personally save you all and will no longer entrust the True Religion to mortal hands. However, it is necessary to establish a hierarchical structure, with higher and lower positions, to facilitate mutual guidance among you, with the elder siblings leading the younger ones toward the Elysian Isle. (Bồng Đảo)
Therefore, I have established one rank of Pope (Giáo Tông), meaning the eldest brother, and three ranks of Cardinals (Đầu Sư), meaning Priests. No one in this world has the authority to claim to rule over the souls of humanity on my behalf. Only those with great virtue can occupy the positions I bestow. As for all disciples, everyone is equal and must not form factions or parties. If anyone commits a transgression, I will expel them to prevent disorder.
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