Structure of CaoDai Religion
Since
Cao Đài Religion / Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ (大道三期普度, Third Amnesty of
God in the East, The Great Way of Third Universal Salvation) was founded, God
established Pháp Chánh Truyền (法正傳 , The Religious Constitution of
Caodaism) and guided the high dignitaries to form the Tân Luật (新律, The
New Canonical Codes), and Thế Luật
(世律 , Secular Rules/Laws On The
Secular Life of the Faithful) in order to govern the religious administration
and maintain truth and justice in the Religion.
In 1926 God (Đức
Cao Đài, The Supreme Being) indicated that the Religion was to have three
branches/boards: the Bát Quái Ðài, the Hiệp Thiên Ðài and the Cửu Trùng Ðài. In
order to operate the Religion the three branches/boards must act in concert.
1) The Bát Quái
Ðài (the Council of the Great Spirits which heads the
Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight
Trigrams Palace, 八卦臺)
The Bát Quái Ðài
is Supreme Holy Body, directs all activities of the universe under the
leadership of God and Holy Spirits. The Bát Quái Ðài is the invisible part,
made up of the Divine Beings. This group represents the Spiritual or the Soul
of the New Religion.
The Hiệp Thiên Ðài
is the Legislative Body which has the duty of communicating with the
occult/esoteric power to receive divine messages, to preserve the religious
laws and listen to the complaints of the unhappy, in order to symbolize
equality in the Religion. " Hiệp Thiên Ðài is the mystical place where the
Giáo-Tông (Pope) comes and places himself in spiritual communication with the
Thirty-Six Heavens, the Three Thousand Worlds, the Sixty- Seven other Earths
and the Lords of Karma so that he can pray for the salvation of Humanity".
"The Hiệp Thiên Ðài is placed under the authority of the Hộ-Pháp (Head of
the Legislative Affairs). He is assisted by the Thượng-Phẩm (Head of the
Spiritual Realm/Religious Affairs) and the Thượng-Sanh (Head of the Temporal
Realm/Secular Affairs). The Ho Phap is concerned with the Laws and
Justice."
- Hộ-Pháp / 護法 (The head of Legislative Affairs), is
the one who unveils the Mystery of the Invisible and is the Maintainer of the
Rules and Laws of the New Religion. He is the one who pronounces judgments on
the dignitaries and adepts, elevates the dignity of the fervent through their
merit and brings sanctions against those who have committed faults. The Hộ-Pháp
holds control over the Legislative Power both exoterically and esoterically. He
watches over the positive progress of the disciples in the Way of God, and
guides all evolved souls to Bát-Quái-Đài for the union with Genies, Saints,
Immortals and Buddhas. He has control over four Lords of the Zodiac, namely
Tiếp-Pháp (接法,
Juridical Legislator), Khai-Pháp (開法, Juridical Reformer), Hiến-Pháp (憲法,
Juridical Renovator) and Bảo-Pháp (保法, Juridical Conservator).
- Thượng-Phẩm /上品
(The head of the Religious Affairs), is the Representative of the Ho- Phap in
the formation of virtuous souls of the Sacerdotal Council. He depends on the
Hộ-Pháp in all his mission. In a word, the Thượng-Phẩm helps the Cửu Trùng Đài
to live in an atmosphere of happiness; he reveals the Heavenly Voice to
virtuous souls, and guides them to the Divine Phase of the Great Spirits, while
closing behind them the Door of regression. He considers the priestly laws to
take up the defence of all office-bearers and adepts; he prevents all
perversion of the Divine Rules, and helps all initiates to attain their aim. He
is simultaneously the President of the Hall of Defence and protector of all
disciples. The Thượng-Phẩm is Leader of the Spiritual Power. Under his command
he has four Lords of the Zodiac, namely Tiếp-Đạo (接道, Religious
Legislator), Khai-Đạo (開道 , Religious Reformer), Hiến-Đạo
(獻 道 , Religious Renovator), and
Bảo-Đạo (保道,
Religious Conservator).
- Thượng–Sanh
/上生 (The head of Secular Affairs),
has control of all the laws and rules which relate to the worldly life of all
adepts to guide them out of the Abyss of Suffering. He may present a formal
complaint before the religious Tribunal against all those who impede the
faithful as they move along the Way of God. He is the President of the Hall of
Accusation. Under his command he has four Lords of the Zodiac, namely Tiếp-Thế
(接世,
Temporal Legislator), Khai-Thế (開世, Temporal Reformer), Hiến-Thế (獻世 Temporal Renovator), and Bảo-Thế (保世,
Temporal Conservator).
+ The second unit
in the Hiệp Thiên Ðài is comprised of under-officers,
cadres of the second rank. These are: Tiếp Dẫn Đạo Nhơn (Instructor, 接引道人),
Chưởng Ấn (Chancellor, 掌印), Cải Trạng (Lawyer, 改狀), Giám
Đạo (Judicial Inspector, 監道), Thừa Sử (Justice Commissioner /
Administrator of Justice, Historian, 承使), Truyền Trạng
(Clerk of Court /Greffier/Investigator, 傳狀), Sĩ Tải
(Archivist/Archival Secretary, 士載) and Luật Sự (Student of Law, 律事, Agent
judiciaire).
+ The third unit
in the Hiệp Thiên Ðài is a group of Thập Nhị Bảo Quân
( 十二保君 )
/12 Skilled Academicians (Advisory) who may be asked for advice by the
High Dignitaries of Hiệp Thiên Ðài. The Thập Nhị Bảo Quân are: Bảo Huyền
Linh Quân (in charge of Theosophy), Bảo Tinh Quân (in charge of Astronomy), Bảo
Cơ Quân (in charge of Orphanage), Bảo Văn Pháp Quân (in charge of
Culture/Arts, 保文法君), Bảo Học Quân (in charge of
Education), Bảo Y Quân (in charge of Health), Bảo Vật Quân (in charge of
Science and Industries), Bảo Sĩ Quân (in charge of Literature), Bảo Sanh
Quân (in charge of Social/Welfare, 保生君), Bảo Nông
Quân (in charge of Agriculture), Bảo Công Quân (in charge of Public
Works), and Bảo Thương Quân (in charge of Economics).
The role of the
members of the Hiệp Thiên Ðài is to act as mediums (đồng tử), and as
legislators who protect the sacred laws, and see that all the dignitaries in
the Administrative Branch / Cửu Trùng Ðài correctly fulfil their tasks. Indeed
"the dignitaries of the Hiệp Thiên Ðài are entrusted with the maintenance
and application of the religious Rules and Laws so that they can watch over the
good progress of the adepts in the Way of God, transforming the Cycle of
Destruction into the Cycle of Renewal/Conservation, to assist Humanity to bring
to reality the Era of Peace and Escape from the Era of Destruction".
3) The Cửu Trùng Ðài (The
Temple Nine Spheres Palace
The Cửu Trùng Ðài
literally means the nine-sphere palace. In the Great Divine Temple / Đền Thánh
the Cửu Trùng Ðài is symbolized by the central nave of the Temple (building),
the place where the worshippers kneel, pray and offer themselves to God (The
Supreme Being), between the Bát Quái Ðài (God's Altar) and the Hiệp Thiên Ðài.
The Cửu Trùng Ðài is the Executive Body of Caodaism which takes charge of the
administration of the Religion and missionary activities.
Head of Cửu Trùng
Ðài / Executive Body is Giáo-Tông (Pope). "The Giáo-Tông (Pope) represents
God to watch over the preservation of His Religion in this world. Whatever his
age, he is eldest brother and acts as a guide for the children of God. The
Spiritual Power has decided that this is so". "The Giáo-Tông (Pope)
has the same powers as God to teach Virtue to all His Disciples. He is
concerned with each one of them, he guides each one and takes care to ensure
that each one does not transgress the Divine Laws (Thiên Điều). He obliges all
disciples of God to make themselves conform strictly to the prescriptions of
the New Code (Tân Luật). Thus any disciple, whatever his rank in the Episcopal
Hierarchy, in the case of wrong behaviour, ought not to benefit from leniency
or mercy from the Giao Tong (Pope). Protection of a guilty disciple makes him
lose his spiritual position (Thiên Vị), provokes jealousy among the faithful,
and lessens the good reputation of the Holy Doctrine. The Giáo-Tông (Pope) must
protect, uphold or console adepts who are crushed by the miseries of life, and
dignitaries who as members of the Sacerdotal Council (Hội Thánh) are
overwhelmed by the weight of their abstinence. Since the Giáo-Tông (Pope) has
full powers to replace God he must try to transform the life of suffering into
an existence marked by happiness. This is the Exalted Task of the Giáo-Tông
(Pope)."
The Cửu Trùng Ðài
/ Executive Body is responsible for the administrative tasks, such as training
of adherents, organising various programs, and controlling the total Church
program. For dignitaries in the College of
Men College of Men
- Giáo-Tông
(教宗)
/ Pope - There is only one Giáo-Tông / Pope who is the Leader of the Cửu
Trùng Đài/Executive Body
- Chưởng-Pháp
(掌法) /
Legislative Cardinal - There are three Chưởng-Pháp / Legislative Cardinals. The
three Legislative Cardinals / Chưởng-Pháp belong to the three branches: Nho
(Confucianist), Thích (Buddhist) and Đạo (Taoist); one for each branch. The
Legislative Cardinals / Chưởng-Pháp have the right to examine the religious
laws before their promulgation, whether they come from the Pope (Giáo-Tông), or
proposed by the Cardinals (Đầu-Sư).
- Đầu-Sư (掌法) /
Cardinal - There are three Đầu-Sư/Cardinals, one for each branch. "The
Cardinals / Đầu-Sư have the right to direct the Disciples of God, spiritually
and temporally". "They have the right to enact laws, but they must
submit them for the approval of the Pope".
- Phối-Sư (掌法) /
Archbishop - There are 36 Phối-Sư / Archbishops, 12 for each branch.
Among these thirty-six, there are three Principal Archbishops/ Chánh Phối-Sư
/ 正配師.
"These three dignitaries are not only the heads of the thirty-three
Archbishops / Phối-Sư, but they are also the representatives of Cardinals /
Đầu-Sư, with the same powers as the Cardinals". "Since they are the
representatives of the Faithful, the Principal Archbishops / Chánh Phối-Sư have
the duty to obey the laws. They can however ask the Cardinals / Đầu-Sư for
certain improvements in the laws, but they do not have the power to propose new
ones". "The three Principal Archbishops / Chánh Phối-Sư cannot ask
for repeal of the Laws".
Archbishops work
under the Principal Archbishops. They have the same authority of the Principal
Archbishops when they execute a mission assigned by the Principal Archbishop.
- Giáo-Sư (掌法) /
Bishop - "There are 72 Giáo-Sư / Bishops, divided into 3 branches of
24 each. They are responsible for the spiritual and temporal education of the
disciples. They are to care for the adepts the way the Elder Brothers care for
Younger ones"
- Giáo-Hữu (掌法) /
Priest - "There are 3000 Giáo-Hữu / Priests, a thousand for each
Branch. This number must be neither increased nor decreased. They preside over
ritual ceremonies in the province temples. The Priests have the Mission
- Lễ-Sanh (掌法) /
Student Priest - The number of Lễ-Sanh /Student Priests is unlimited. The
Student Priests are drawn from the most virtuous of the Sub-dignitaries. The
Student Priests must always visit the adepts, and preside over the
"ceremony of the installation of the Altar" at their homes. They take
the place the Priests for the teaching of the rites.
- Chức Việc /
(Chánh-Trị-Sự, Phó-Trị-Sự, Thông-Sự / 正治事 - 副治事 - 通事) /
Minor Office-Bearers /Sub- dignitaries or Religious Village Administrators -
The number of Minor Office-Bearers is unlimited. The Minor Office-Bearers
should look after the adepts in the villages. They should consider the adepts
as their younger sisters/brothers. They should follow the orders of the Priests
and Student Priests who are the chiefs of the parishes.
- Tín-Đồ (掌法) /
Adepts - The number of adepts is unlimited.
Female dignitaries reach
the rank of Cardinal only. The number of dignitaries in the College of
Women College of Women College of Women
Three councils
govern the Holy See:
- Popular Council
/ Hội Nhơn Sanh (會人生) - composed of
Student Priests / Lễ-Sanh, Sub- dignitaries and representatives of adherents in
the ratio of one delegate per 500 members. The Popular Council makes plans for
the future.
- Sacerdotal Council / Hội Thánh (會聖) - composed of Priests / Giáo-Hữu, Bishops / Giáo-Sư,
Archbishops / Phối-Sư and Principal Archbishops / Chánh Phối-Sư. The
Sacerdotal Council examines the plans made by the Popular Council.
- High Council /
Thương Hội (會聖)- composed of Cardinals / Đầu-Sư,
Legislative Cardinals / Chưởng-Pháp and the Pope / Giáo-Tông. All plans made by
the Popular Council and favoured by the Sacerdotal Council are submitted to
High Council for approval.
If there is a
disagreement, i.e. the three Councils are not at one, the plans must be
submitted to God through a medium for a final decision.
Central Administration
At the Holy See,
the three Cardinals / Đầu-Sư of the Executive Body control the administration
of the Religion. They are assisted by three Principal Archbishops /
Chánh-Phối-Sư. There are nine separate religious ministries / Cửu Viện in the
Executive Body. Each religious ministry has its own personnel, operational
system, and offices in the administrative building. Each of the three Principal
Archbishops /
Chánh-Phối-Sư
directs three of these religious ministries:
- The Principal
Archbishop of the Buddhist Branch / Phái Thái is chief of the Financial/ Hộ
Viện, Supply / Lương Viện and Public Works / Công Viện Ministries.
- The Principal
Archbishop of the Taoist Branch / Phái Thượng is chief of the Education / Học
Viện, Health / Y Viện and Agriculture / Nông Viện Ministries.
- The Principal
Archbishop of the Confucian Branch / Phái Ngọc is chief of Justice / Hoà
Viện, Interior / Lại Viện and Rites / Lễ Viện Ministries
Provincial
Administration
The administrative
network which functions throughout Vietnam
- The Religious
Region (Trấn Đạo) comprising of several provinces, headed by a Bishop / Giáo-Sư
who is called the Regional Religious Chief / Khâm Trấn Đạo.
- The Religious
Province (Châu Đạo) comprising of several districts/delegations, headed by a
Priest who is called Provincial Religious Chief / Khâm Châu Đạo.
- The Religious
District/Delegation comprising of several villages, headed by a Student Priest
who is called the Religious Chief of Delegation / Đầu Tộc Đạo (Đầu Phận Đạo).
- The Religious Village
As mentioned
above, the original organisation and hierarchical structure of Caodaism
involved three branches: the Bát Quái Ðài (Spiritual), Hiệp Thiên Ðài
(Legislative), and Cửu Trùng Ðài (Executive). "The dignitaries of the Cửu
Trùng Ðài and of the Hiệp Thiên Ðài merely form organisations to assist the
Supreme Being and the Great Spirits to found the New Religion to guide Humanity
in the True Way
Other Offices
Besides the above
Bodies, there are:
- The
Teaching and Propaganda (Cơ quan Phổ Tế, 機關普濟) Body
which was established in 1936 under the supervision of the Cửu Trùng
Ðài/Executive Body.
- The
Social Affairs/Charitable Organisation (Cơ quan Phước
Thiện, 福善 - 機關福善) which
was founded in 1938 under the supervision of the Hiệp Thiên Ðài /
Legislative Body.
It
is also noted that under the Secular Affairs of Hiệp Thiên Ðài , there is a Ban
Thế Đạo / Lay Committee. The Lay Committee / Ban Thế Đạo is a body consisting
of professional specialists among adepts.They serve the Religion and the
society with their professional ability. It is their duty to support the
Religion as effectively as possible within their capacity. The four titles for
dignitaries of Ban Thế Đạo are: Hiền Tài (Virtuous and talented man, 賢才)
Quốc Sĩ (Eminent scholar of a country, 國士), Đại Phu and Phu Tử (夫子, A
master).
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