Structure of Caodaism
 

Since Cao Dai Religion / Dai Dao Tam Ky Pho Do was founded, God established Phap-Chanh-Truyen (The Religious Constitution of Caodaism) and guided the high dignitaries to form the Tan-Luat (The New Religious Laws), and The-Luat (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 (Duc Cao Dai) indicated that the Religion was to have three branches/boards: the Bat-Quai-Dai, the Hiep-Thien-Dai and the Cuu-Trung-Dai. In order to operate the Religion the three branches/boards must act in concert.

  • 1) The Bat-Quai-Dai (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)

    The Bat-Quai-Dai is Supreme Holy Body, directs all activities of the universe under the leadership of God and Holy Spirits. The Bat-Quai-Dai is the invisible part, made up of the Divine Beings. This group represents the Spiritual or the Soul of the New Religion.

  • 2) The Hiep-Thien-Dai (The Temple of the Divine Alliance, The Heavenly-Union Palace)

    The Hiep-Thien-Dai 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. "Hiep- Thien-Dai is the mystical place where the Giao-Tong (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 Hiep-Thien-Dai is placed under the authority of the Ho-Phap (Head of the Legislative Affairs). He is assisted by the Thuong Pham (Head of the Spiritual Realm/Religious Affairs) and the Thuong Sanh (Head of the Temporal Realm/Secular Affairs). The Ho Phap is concerned with the Laws and Justice."

    - Ho-Phap (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 Ho- Phap 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 Bat Quai Dai for the union with Genies, Saints, Immortals and Buddhas. He has control over four Lords of the Zodiac, namely Tiep-Phap (Juridical Legislator), Khai-Phap (Juridical Reformer), Hien-Phap (Juridical Renovator) and Bao-Phap (Juridical Conservator).

    - Thuong-Pham (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 Ho- Phap in all his mission. In a word, the Thuong-Pham helps the Cuu Trung Dai 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 Thuong- Pham is Leader of the Spiritual Power. Under his command he has four Lords of the Zodiac, namely Tiep-Dao (Religious Legistator), Khai-Dao (Religious Reformer), Hien-Dao (Religious Renovator), and Bao-Dao (Religious Conservator).

    - Thuong-Sanh (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 Tiep-The (Temporal Legislator), Khai-The (Temporal Reformer), Hien-The (Temporal Renovator), and Bao-The (Temporal Conservator).

    The second unit in the Hiep-Thien-Dai is comprised of under-officers, cadres of the second rank. These are: Tiep Dan Dao Nhon (Instructor), Chuong An (Chancellor), Cai Trang (Lawyer), Giam Dao (Judicial Inspector), Thua Su (Justice Commissioner / Administrator of Justice, Historian), Truyen Trang (Clerk of Court /Greffier/Investigator), Si Tai (Archivist/Archival Secretary) and Luat Su (Student of Law).

    The third unit in the Hiep-Thien-Dai is a group of Thap Nhi Bao Quan/12 Skilled Academicians (Advisory) who may be asked for advice by the High Dignitaries of Hiep- Thien-Dai. The Thap Nhi Bao Quan are: Bao Huyen Linh Quan (in charge of Theosophy), Bao Tinh Quan (in charge of Astronomy), Bao Co Quan (in charge of Orphanage), Bao Van Phap Quan (in charge of Culture/Arts), Bao Hoc Quan (in charge of Education), Bao Y Quan (in charge of Health), Bao Vat Quan (in charge of Science and Industries), Bao Si Quan (in charge of Literature), Bao Sanh Quan (in charge of Social/Welfare), Bao Nong Quan (in charge of Agriculture), Bao Cong Quan (in charge of Public Works), and Bao Thuong Quan (in charge of Economics).

    The role of the members of the Hiep Thien Dai is to act as mediums (dong tu), and as legislators who protect the sacred laws, and see that all the dignitaries in the Administrative Branch / Cuu-Trung-Dai correctly fulfil their tasks. Indeed "the dignitaries of the Hiep-Thien- Dai 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 Cuu-Trung-Dai (The Temple of Nine Degrees of Evolution, Nine Spheres Palace).

    The Cuu-Trung-Dai literally means the nine-sphere palace. In the Great Divine Temple / Den Thanh the Cuu-Trung-Dai is symbolized by the central nave of the Temple (building), the place where the worshippers kneel, pray and offer themselves to God (Duc Cao Dai), between the Bat-Quai-Dai (God's Altar) and the Hiep-Thien-Dai. The Cuu-Trung-Dai is the Executive Body of Caodaism which takes charge of the administration of the Religion and missionary activities.

    Head of Cuu-Trung-Dai/Executive Body is Giao-Tong (Pope). "The Giao-Tong (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 Giao Tong (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 (Thien Dieu). He obliges all disciples of God to make themselves conform strictly to the prescriptions of the New Code (Tan-Luat). 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 (Thien Vi), provokes jealousy among the faithful, and lessens the good reputation of the Holy Doctrine. The Giao Tong (Pope) must protect, uphold or console adepts who are crushed by the miseries of life, and dignitaries who as members of the Sacerdotal Council (Hoi Thanh) are overwhelmed by the weight of their abstinence. Since the Giao-Tong (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 Giao-Tong (Pope)."

The Cuu-Trung-Dai/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, the Executive actually has three branches corresponding to the three main Religions, each of these three branches also has a name and a colour [Buddhism / Phai Thai (yellow), Taoism / Phai Thuong (blue), and Confucianism / Phai Ngoc (red)]. The Cuu-Trung-Dai's hierarchy is ranked in nine levels; and the number of dignitaries in the College of Men is limited.

  • - Giao-Tong/Pope - There is only one Giao-Tong/Pope who is the Leader of the Cuu Trung Dai/Executive Body

     

  • - Chuong-Phap/Legislative Cardinal - There are three Chuong-Phap/Legislative Cardinals. The three Legislative Cardinals/Chuong-Phap belong to the three branches: Nho (Confucianist), Thich (Buddhist) and Dao (Taoist); one for each branch. The Legislative Cardinals/Chuong-Phap have the right to examine the religious laws before their promulgation, whether they come from the Pope (Giao-Tong), or proposed by the Cardinals (Dau-Su).

     

  • - Dau-Su/Cardinal - There are three Dau-Su/Cardinals, one for each branch. "The Cardinals/Dau-Su 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".

     

  • - Phoi-Su/Archbishop - There are 36 Phoi-Su/Archbishops, 12 for each branch. Among these thirty-six, there are three Principal Archbishops/Chanh Phoi-Su. "These three dignitaries are not only the heads of the thirty-three Archbishops/Phoi-Su, but they are also the representatives of Cardinals/Dau-Su, with the same powers as the Cardinals". "Since they are the representatives of the Faithful, the Principal Archbishops/Chanh Phoi-Su have the duty to obey the laws. They can however ask the Cardinals/Dau-Su for certain improvements in the laws, but they do not have the power to propose new ones". "The three Principal Archbishops/Chanh Phoi-Su 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.

     

  • - Giao-Su/Bishop - "There are 72 Giao-Su/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"

     

  • - Giao-Huu/Priest - "There are 3000 Giao-Huu/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 of propagating the Religion"

     

  • - Le-Sanh/Student Priest - The number of Le-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.

     

  • - Chuc Viec (Chanh-Tri-Su, Pho-Tri-Su, Thong-Su)/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.

  • - Tin-Do/Adepts - The number of adepts is unlimited.

    Female dignitaries reach the rank of Cardinal only. The number of dignitaries in the College of Women is unlimited. There is no branch for female dignitaries. The Dignitaries of the College of Women are formed by the Spiritual Pope Li Tai Pai (Ly Thai Bach). The Supreme Being/God said "I wanted to suppress the College of Women, but you are all my children, so I make no distinction between you". For this reason at the point when the Rules and Religious Laws were created, women were admitted to investiture with priestly functions.

Three councils govern the Holy See:

  • - Popular Council/Hoi Nhon Sanh - composed of Student Priests/Le-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/Hoi-Thanh - composed of Priests/Giao-Huu, Bishops/Giao-Su, Archbishops/Phoi-Su and Principal Archbishops/Chanh Phoi-Su. The Sacerdotal Council examines the plans made by the Popular Council.

  • - High Council/Thuong Hoi - composed of Cardinals/Dau-Su, Legislative Cardinals /Chuong-Phap and the Pope/Giao-Tong. 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/Dau-Su of the Executive Body control the administration of the Religion. They are assisted by three Principal Archbishops/Chanh-Phoi-Su. There are nine separate religious ministries/Cuu Vien 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/Chanh Phoi- Su directs three of these religious ministries:

  • - The Principal Archbishop of the Buddhist Branch/Phai THAI is chief of the Financial/Ho Vien, Supply/Luong Vien and Public Works/Cong Vien Ministries.

  • - The Principal Archbishop of the Taoist Branch/Phai THUONG is chief of the Education/Hoc Vien, Health/Y Vien and Agriculture/Nong Vien Ministries.

  • - The Principal Archbishop of the Confucian Branch/Phai NGOC is chief of Justice/Hoa Vien, Interior/Lai Vien and Rites/Le Vien Ministries

Provincial Administration

The administrative network which functions throughout Vietnam consists of:

  • - The Religious Region (Tran Dao) comprising of several provinces, headed by a Bishop/Giao-Su who is called the Regional Religious Chief/Kham Tran Dao.

  • - The Religious Province (Chau Dao) comprising of several districts/delegations, headed by a Priest who is called Provincial Religious Chief/Kham Chau Dao.

  • - The Religious District/Delegation comprising of several villages, headed by a Student Priest who is called the Religious Chief of Delegation/Dau Toc Dao (Dau Phan Dao).

  • - The Religious Village (Huong Dao) headed by a Sub-dignitary/Chanh-Tri-Su who is called Village Religious Chief/Dau Huong Dao. He is assisted by one (or more) Pho-Tri-Su (Deputy Chief for Administration of a religious village) representing the Executive Body and one (or more) Thong-Su representing the Legislative Body. The Religious Village are made up of Religious Hamlets/Ap Dao.

As mentioned above, the original organisation and hierarchical structure of Caodaism involved three branches: the Bat-Quai-Dai (Spiritual), Hiep-Thien-Dai (Legislative), and Cuu-Trung-Dai (Executive). "The dignitaries of the Cuu-Trung-Dai and of the Hiep- Thien-Dai merely form organisations to assist the Supreme Being and the Great Spirits to found the New Religion to guide Humanity in the True Way of God".

Other Offices

Besides the above Bodies, there are:

  • - The Teaching and Propaganda (Pho Te) Body which was established in 1936 under the supervision of the Cuu-Trung-Dai/Executive Body.

  • - The Social Affairs/Charitable Organisation (Phuoc Thien) which was founded in 1938 under the supervision of the Hiep-Thien-Dai/Legislative Body.

It is also noted that under the Secular Affairs of Hiep-Thien-Dai, there is a Ban The Dao/Lay Committee. The Lay Committee/Ban The Dao 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 The Dao are: Hien Tai, Quoc Si, Dai Phu and Phu Tu.