RELIGIOUS VESTMENTS
The prescribed colors for the religious vestments of Minh Ly disciples — whether lay practitioners living at home or ordained monastics — are white for everyday wear and black for ceremonial robes, according to the verse bestowed by Heaven during the Ha Nguon ceremony at Minh Chon Ly: “Red, yellow, blue — the treasured colors of the Supreme Ultimate Diagram; black, white, purple — the realm of Non-Action.” The three colors red, yellow, and blue belong to Cao Dai, while black, white, and purple belong to Minh Ly.
Men: a black ao dai (long tunic) with white trousers. The collar stands 4 cm high with square corners; underneath, a white inner shirt and white trousers, with a black turban (khan dong).
Women: a black ao dai with a collar 3 cm high with rounded corners; underneath, a white inner shirt and black trousers when performing rites in the Main Sanctuary, or a white “ba ba” outfit underneath during meditation retreats.
The ao dai comes in two styles (for both men and women):
- Wide-sleeved: worn when venerating Heaven, the Buddhas, and the Immortals in the Main Sanctuary of the Temple and at Bao An Tu.
- Narrow-sleeved: worn when receiving guests, when honoring ancestors in the rear hall or at home, or when engaging in interfaith relations at fellow sanctuaries, sacred houses, or the Holy Church.
For disciples and clergy still living at home: an ao dai fastened with cloth buttons —
- Disciples: the length of the robe, measured from the ground to the hem, is 30 cm, with a sleeve opening 25 cm wide.
- Clergy: the length of the robe, measured from the ground to the hem, is 25 cm, with a sleeve opening 30 cm wide.
For disciples and clergy who have entered monastic life: a monastic robe with square shoulders, its length measured from the ground to the hem at 20 cm, with a sleeve opening 35 cm wide; both men and women wear a white “vat khach” outfit underneath, with women additionally wearing a head covering.
When performing rites in the Main Sanctuary, all disciples must wear a pair of cords tied around both ankles, each cord 3.3 cm wide and 66 cm long, made of black cloth, with one pointed end and one flat end.
How to wrap the ankle cords (the method is the same for men and women):
Pull the trouser legs outward with both hands, draw them toward the back, and wrap them around the ankle. Hold the edge of the trouser cuff with one hand, and with the other, place the pointed end of the cord about 1 cm above the cuff, holding it in place. Using the left index finger to hold the pointed end steady, wind the cord around the ankle from the inside toward the outside, layering it over the pointed end. Continue winding until the cord is used up, then tuck the flat end beneath the wound layers. When wrapping, do not pull the cord too tight, or the foot will grow numb; nor too loose, or the cord will easily slip off. When wrapping, measure the length carefully so that, by the final wind, the end of the cord passes beyond the inner ankle bone and can be tucked in deeply, securely, smoothly, and neatly. Do not tie a knot in the cord.
Clergy holding the lineage names (Tich Dao) of Minh, Khai, Tuong, Dai, Dieu Chon, Huyen Nhu, and Dai Co must additionally wear a pair of “Nhu Y” sandals and “Giai Thoat” sandals, in a blue-tinged red — that is, purple — along with a pair of white socks, for use during major and grand ceremonies.