Question 3: Where and when was Caodaism founded?  

On the 15th day of the 10th month, Binh Dan year (November 19, 1926), the Grand Ceremony of the Opening of the Dao (Khai Tịch Ðạo) was solemnly conducted at Thánh Thất Gò Kén (Từ Lâm Temple, Tây Ninh).

The significance of this grand ceremony was the formal introduction of the Heavenly Dao to humankind, a moment of sacred revelation.

The event was observed with great solemnity over three days — 18th, 19th, and 20th of 1926 — in the presence of the Governor-General of Indochina, the Governor of Nam Kỳ, and many high-ranking French and Vietnamese officials.

Mr. Lê Văn Trung, representing the Holy See, courteously and graciously received the guests. Apart from offerings of devotion, no money was accepted from anyone.

During the first days of the founding ceremony, over 20,000 people applied to join and seek the Dao.

The religion of Caodaism bears the title Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ (The Great Way of the Third Epoch Universal Salvation). To understand why there are two titles used simultaneously, we must look back to the early days of the Dao’s foundation.

The first disciple, Mr. Ngô Văn Chiêu, received from Him instruction in the Dao and the secret methods of spiritual practice (1920).

In the second phase, beginning in 1925, through the communion of disciples such as Mr. Phạm Công Tắc, Cao Quỳnh Cư, Lê Văn Trung, and Cao Hoài Sang, the Supreme God first revealed the sacred name AĂÂ, and subsequently proclaimed the official title: Cao Đài Tiên Ông Đại Bồ Tát Ma Ha Tát

It was during this second phase that the title Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ emerged, marking the maturation of the religion and the beginning of its widespread dissemination among the people.