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On the Quest for Universal Codes

Translated from the Vietnamese article
on www.nhipcaugiaoly.org

Since the initiation of DAO, GOD has repeatedly reminded disciples that DAO is open this time to implement the universal return to the origin.
Return to the origin means get back to the very beginning (1) of all beings after having transmigrated innumerable times. The origin is only one but it emanates myriads of creatures. Due to the variety of forms and shapes, all beings look different. Humans diverge not only by their appearances such as skin and hair colors, but also by thoughts, ideas, and mindsets. Such differences lead to the concept of “Nature (2)– Phenomenon (3)”, the Yin-Yang pair which is opposing but complementing each other.
To explain this relationship, Taoists postulate “DAO is the MOTHER of all beings”, while Confucians say “Heaven, Earth, and all beings are of the same nature”, and Buddhists state “Every being has Buddha nature”. Philosophers mention the concept of “universalism versus particularism”. Regarding culture, a philosopher wrote: ‘Human culture, in any cases, cannot be merely the sum of individual cultures. That was why Goethe urged poets, artists, and thinkers to get beyond the race-related boundaries framed by Herder and his disciples’. (4)
Nowadays, human thoughts diverge even further and further, leading to ideological conflicts, disparities within a people as well as among nations. Wars and tyrannies continuously break out, the world is on the verge of chasm, and mankind is extremely disoriented. People seek refuge in religions, but they are discouraged by discriminations in religious beliefs. Amidst such distress, the Savior came and delivered the message on “the universal return to the origin”:
[translated] “I (5) initiate the universal restoration,
Utilizing the mystic DAO for this operation;
With omnipotence I gather all creatures,
From East to West, past to present, to form the future.” (6)
This message specially announces the mechanism of “Heaven-Man union” to resolve the world deadlock, based on human ability to unify and the implementation of universal codes drawn from ancient and contemporary cultures all over the world.
Universal codes are the moral quintessence that lifts human position beyond the limits of space and time. The Great Way for the Third Universal Salvation (i.e., Caodaism) affirms that these universal codes inherently exist in every human being regardless of social grades, ethnics, or religions. It is “the DAO within”. Cao Dai Holy Teaching wrote: ‘The superiority of mankind to other beings is also important to itself in all aspects of life; it dictates human beings to live accordingly to the everlasting and immutable DAO within.’ (7)
A distinguished mission of the Third Universal Salvation is to formulate strategies to implement and advance the motivating propulsion of that True-Man position. Đức Giáo Tông (8) keeps worrying: “But alas! Not many people thoroughly comprehend that significance (9) and adopt a simple and honest life to carry out the mission of propagating the DAO to save others.”
That is why CAO ĐÀI GOD rang the bell to inaugurate the Great Way so as to wake those people who neglect their Original Nature of True Man. Once awakened, they will know how to live a true life at their position of “the most miraculous being of the universe” and confidently repeat Sakyamuni Buddha’s declaration: “Of heaven above and earth beneath I am the only honored one.”
[translated] “The Great DAO operates in the Oneness,
How can one be all beings?
To attain it, enlighten yourself,
Position yourself as ‘the only honored one’;
Heaven above be covered with your virtues,
Earth beneath be bathed with your universal love.” (10)
Therefore, the universal codes in human world are everything that induces universal harmony. They transform life everywhere to wellness and advance everybody to success, as written in the Commentary on the Fifth Line of the Hexagram KUN (11): ‘Dignified man, who considers impartiality (in his conscience) as the focal point, has radiant figure and brilliant career. These are the superb consequences.’ (12) Moreover, this missionary also implements God’s heart in his own to voluntarily accommodate and nurture all beings. It is the universal code of spiritual heart or the true self that encompasses the entire globe.
[translated] “True Man creates human position , (13)
So do Buddha and Immortals;
Unbiased, indifferent, irreproachable,
They benefit all beings with mercy, impartiality, and compassion.” (14)
In short, the universal code most closely related to human beings is “the heart” (15), because “only from human heart, ideas of salvation emerge to establish order and peace for mankind.” (16)
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(1) Translator’s note: the primordial nature
(2) Translator’s note: innate disposition, intrinsic characteristics that all beings develop of their own accord
(3) Translator’s note: occurrence, existence.
(4) Johann Gottfried von Herder (25 August 1744 – 18 December 1803) was a German philosopher, theologian, poet, and literary critic. He is associated with the periods of Enlightenment, Sturm und Drang, and Weimar Classicism.
Source: ALAIN FINKIELKRAUT, “Một ý tưởng đã làm thay đổi thế giới”, Tạp chí Người đưa tin UNESCO, June 1989, pages 30-33. Electronic version on triethoc.edu.vn
(5) Translator’s note: GOD, your MASTER
(6) Đức Chí Tôn, Cơ Quan Phổ Thông Giáo Lý ,15-02 Quý Hợi (29-3-1983).
(7) Đức Giáo Tông Vô Vi Đại Đạo, Cơ Quan Phổ Thông Giáo Lý, 15-4 Tân Dậu (18-5-1981).
(8) Translator’s note: The Spiritual Pope in the Great Way for the Third Universal Salvation (or Caodaism).
(9) Translator’s note: The significance of ‘the DAO within’
(10) Đức Giáo Tông Vô Vi Đại Đạo, 15-01 Kỷ Mùi (11-2-1979).
(11) Translator’s note: Other names for hexagram KUN are: Field, "the receptive", "acquiescence", and "the flow"
(12) “Quân tử hoàng trung thông lý. Chính vị cư thể. mỹ tại kỳ trung, nhi sướng ư tứ chi. phát ư sự nghiệp. Mỹ chi chí dã.” Trình Di chú hoàng trung là «văn vẻ ở bên trong.» (Hoàng trung, văn cư trung dã 黃 中,文 居 中 也 ). Hoàng (màu vàng) là màu trung hoà, thể hiện đức trung, nên Chu Hi chú: «Hoàng trung ý nói đức trung ở bên trong.» (Hoàng trung ngôn trung đức tại nội 黃 中 言 中 德 在 內 ).– Hoàng trung thông lý, chính vị cư thể 黃 中 通 理,正 位 居 體 = văn vẻ ở bên trong và thông đạt sự lý; bản thân ở ngôi chính đáng.
(13) Translator’s note: The man position in the Universal Triad: Heaven-Man-Earth.
(14) Huấn từ của Đức Chí Tôn, Cơ Quan Phổ Thông Giáo Lý, 29-02 Mậu Ngọ (06-3-1978).
(15) Translator’s note: The loving-kindness, tenderness and consideration toward others.
(16) Đức Giáo Tông Đại Đạo Thái Bạch Kim Tinh, 15-01 Giáp Dần (06-02-1974).