TTLV: The influence of the teachings of Guardian Deity Pham Cong Tac on the lives of Cao Dai followers in Tay Ninh Holy See

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name: NGUYEN VAN HOANG

2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: January 12, 1990

4. Place of birth: Dong Thap

5. Decision on student admission No. 1811/QD-XHNV dated September 8, 2021, by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in the training process: Decision on extending the study period:

Decision No. 3094/QD-XHNV dated August 21, 2023

Decision No. 1148/QD-XHNV dated March 1, 2024

Decision No. 4333/QD-XHNV dated August 22, 2024

Decision No. 940/QD-XHNV dated February 7, 2025

7. Thesis title:The influence of the teachings of Protector of the Faith Pham Cong Tac on the lives of Cao Dai followers in Tay Ninh Holy See.

8. Major: Religious Studies; Code: 8229009.01

9. Scientific supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Xuan

10. Summary of the thesis results:

This thesis aims to survey and analyze the in-depth influence of the thought of Guardian of the Faith Pham Cong Tac – the most important historical figure and key leader of Cao Dai religion – on the moral, spiritual, religious, and practical social values ​​of Cao Dai followers in Tay Ninh Holy See, especially in the current context. Through the analysis of the Guardian of the Faith's thought system and the examination of the practical lives of followers both domestically and internationally, the thesis helps to specifically identify the aspects of the influence of the thought of the historical figure Guardian of the Faith Pham Cong Tac and assess the degree of adaptation in contemporary social conditions.

The thesis identifies that the thought of Guardian of the Dharma Pham Cong Tac has a tight structure, operating on three major axes:

• Religious and spiritual thought: Views on God, the soul, the law of karma, divine providence, the role of humanity, the Church in the process of self-cultivation and practice, and a description of the post-death process of "sacred eternal life." The Guardian of the Dharma emphasizes the connection between the invisible and visible realms, considering religious life as a path of self-cultivation leading to liberation through the three paths of liberation of the Great Way of the Three Periods of Universal Salvation.

• Moral and ethical philosophy: Emphasizing compassion, justice, altruism, self-reliance, and self-cultivation. Concepts such as "the path to enlightenment" and "the path to self-cultivation leading to the third great path" are not only moral ideals but also practical guidelines for followers.

• Social-nationalist ideology: Viewing morality as intertwined with the destiny of the nation and people; emphasizing patriotism, revitalizing social ethics, preserving traditional culture ("the southern wind of this day transforms the human wind"), and contributing to the nation's longevity ("a small country among countless nations - the future ruler will be a strange and wonderful one"). 

11. Practical applications:

This thesis asserts that the ideology of Guardian of the Faith Pham Cong Tac has a profound and multifaceted influence on the lives of Cao Dai followers and officials in Tay Ninh, not only on the religious level but also on the ethical, national, and ethnic levels. This ideology serves as a guiding standard for individual behavior, community organization, and social awareness within the Cao Dai community of Tay Ninh. At the same time, the thesis contributes to clarifying the relationship between religious thought and practical life, between the structure of belief and the structure of society in an indigenous religion enlightened in Vietnam by the harmonious combination of the invisible hand of "the Supreme Being" and the spirit writing of Guardian of the Faith Pham Cong Tac and prominent intellectuals of early 19th-century Southern Vietnam such as Le Van Trung, Cao Quynh Cu, Cao Hoai Sang, Cao Quynh Dieu, Lam Ngoc Thanh, Nguyen Ngoc Tho, Ngo Van Chieu, etc.

Thus, the study provides additional material for the field of Religious Studies in analyzing the role of individual religious leaders in the formation and maintenance of value systems within the religious community. Based on thisThis study examines the practical aspects of state management of beliefs and religions in Tay Ninh in particular and Vietnam in general, so that other localities can learn from it and improve their management practices, fostering a more open and positive perspective on Cao Dai in general and the Guardian of the Faith Pham Cong Tac in particular, in line with the state's spirit of "closing the past, respecting differences, looking towards the future, and striving together to build a peaceful, unified, happy, prosperous, and developed Vietnam." It also emphasizes that "religion contributes to promoting national unity, building and protecting the homeland."

12. Future research directions:

The socio-political thought of Protector of the Faith Pham Cong Tac in the historical context of Vietnam in the early and mid-20th century. An analysis of the relationship between Protector of the Faith's thought and the socio-political circumstances of Vietnam during the colonial and post-colonial periods. Clarifying the nationalist stance, attitude towards colonialism, and the role of religion in national reconstruction.

Transforming and reinterpreting the teachings of the Guardian Deity within the younger generation of believers. Examining how the younger generation approaches, understands, and applies the teachings of the Guardian Deity in the context of modern society, urbanization, and globalization. Analyzing the process of "restructuring beliefs" and "personalizing religious practice" from classical thought.

The role of the Hiep Thien Dai (Council of Heavenly Harmony) and the religious organizational model based on the teachings of the Protector of the Dharma: From principle to practice. This study examines the organizational structure established and idealized by the Protector of the Dharma, comparing it to the current operational realities of Cao Dai establishments. It assesses the effectiveness, challenges, and adaptability of the Hiep Thien Dai structure in the modern context.

The influence of the Guardian Deity ideology in overseas Cao Dai communities. This study examines how Cao Dai communities in the United States, Australia, and Canada have received, preserved, and interpreted the Guardian Deity ideology within the context of a religious minority, a multicultural environment, and Western religious policies.

These research directions not only build upon the academic foundation of the current thesis but also contribute to expanding the scope of Religious Studies in Vietnam by approaching indigenous religions from an interdisciplinary, practical, and historical perspective. They also have reference value for religious administrators, intercultural researchers, and cultural and religious policy makers.

13. Published works related to the thesis: Do not have 

INFORMATION ABOUT MASTER THESIS

1. Student's full name: NGUYEN VAN HOANG

2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: 01 – JAN- 1990

4. Place of birth: Dong Thap Province

5. The decision number of student recognition: 1811/QD-XHNV dated September

8, 2021 of the Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University

6. Changes during training: Extension of training duration

+ Number: 3094/QD-XHNV dated August 21, 2023

+ Number:1148/QD-XHNV dated March 1, 2024

+ Number:4333/QD-XHNV dated August 22, 2024

+ Number: 940/QD-XHNV dated February 7, 2025

7. Thesis title: The Influence of Ho Phap Pham Cong Tac's Thought on the Lives of Cao Dai Followers at the Tay Ninh Holy See

8. Major: Religious Studies; Code: 8229009.01

9. Scientific supervisor: Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thanh Xuan

10. Summary results of the thesis:

The thesis aims to examine and analyze the depth of the ideological influence of Ho Phap Pham Cong Tac—one of the most significant historical figures and key leaders of the Cao Dai religion—on the spiritual, moral, and practical social values ​​of Cao Dai followers at the Holy See of Tay Ninh, especially in the context of contemporary society. Through an in-depth analysis of Ho Phap's ideological system and empirical surveys of the lived religious experiences of followers both in Vietnam and abroad, the thesis seeks to identify the specific dimensions of his influence and assess the degree of transformation and adaptation under modern social conditions.

The research establishes that the thought system of Ho Phap Pham Cong Tac is tightly structured and operates along three major axes:

• Religious – Spiritual Thought: This includes his perspectives on God, the soul, karmic law, divine will, and the roles of individuals and the Holy Assembly in the path of spiritual cultivation and religious practice. He describes the post-death process as a form of “sacred eternal life,” and emphasizes the interconnection between the visible and invisible worlds. For him, religious life is the path of self-discipline aimed at spiritual liberation through the Three Paths of Salvation in the Great Way of the Third Universal Salvation.

• Ethical – Humanistic Thought: Ho Phap upholds ideals such as compassion, justice, altruism, self-reliance, and personal cultivation. Concepts like“the method of practicing the Great Way”and“the way of refining oneself to enter the third path of the Great Way”are not only moral ideals but also practical guidelines for spiritual discipline among followers.

• Socio-political and Nationalist Thought: He views religion as intrinsically tied to the fate of the nation and its people, placing strong emphasis on patriotism, the revitalization of social ethics, and the preservation of traditional culture, captured in the maxim“Southern customs shall transform human morals today.”He also highlights the contribution of religion to national longevity, as expressed in the saying“a small nation among countless countries—its future leader shall be extraordinary.”

11. Practical applicability:

The thesis affirms that the thought of Ho Phap Pham Cong Tac has a profound and multidimensional influence on the lives of Cao Dai followers and dignitaries at the Tay Ninh Holy See—not only in terms of religious belief but also in moral, national, and ethnic dimensions. His thought functions as a standard framework that guides individual behavior, community organization, and social consciousness within the Cao Dai Tay Ninh community.

At the same time, the thesis contributes to clarifying the relationship between religious ideology and practical life, as well as between structures of belief and social structures in an indigenous religion founded in Vietnam. This religion was formed through a harmonious combination of the "invisible hand" of Duc Chi Ton and the spiritualist writings of Ho Phap Pham Cong Tac, along with the contributions of key Southern Vietnamese intellectuals in the early 20th century such as Le Van Trung, Cao Quynh Cu, Cao Hoai Sang, Cao Quynh Dieu, Lam Ngoc Thanh, and Nguyen Ngoc Tho, Ngo Van Chieu….

Through this, the research offers additional resources for the field of religious studies in analyzing the role of religious leaders in shaping and maintaining a value system within a community of believers. It also draws upon practical experiences in the state management of belief and religion in Tay Ninh in particular, and in Vietnam as a whole, to provide useful references and lessons for other localities. These can help enhance the effectiveness of religious management, promote openness, and foster a more positive and accurate perspective on Cao Dai in general and on Ho Phap Pham Cong Tac in particular—reflecting the government's orientation of 'closing the past, respecting differences, looking to the future, and working together to build a peaceful, unified, happy, prosperous, and developed Vietnam,' where 'religion contributing to promoting great national unity, and to building and defending the Fatherland.'

12. Future research directions:

The socio-political thought of Ho Phap Pham Cong Tac in the historical context of early to mid-20th century Vietnam. This research analyzes the interrelationship between Ho Phap's thought and the political-social conditions of Vietnam during the colonial and post-colonial periods. It clarifies his nationalist stance, attitude toward colonialism, and the role of religion in the nation-building process.

Transformation and reinterpretation of Ho Phap's thought among younger followers. This section explores how the younger generation of Cao Dai adherents approaches, understands, and applies Ho Phap's teachings in the context of modern society, urbanization, and globalization. It analyzes the processes of “belief restructuring” and “individualization of religious practice” emerging from classical religious doctrines.

The role of Hiep Thien Dai and the religious organizational model as envisioned by Ho Phap: From principles to practice. This study examines the structure of religious governance established and idealized by Ho Phap, compared to its current operation in present-day Cao Dai temples and centers. It evaluates the effectiveness, challenges, and adaptability of the Hiep Thien Dai framework in the modern context.

The influence of Ho Phap's thought in overseas Cao Dai communities. The research investigates how Cao Dai communities in the United States, Australia, and Canada receive, preserve, and interpret Ho Phap's teachings under conditions of religious minority status, multicultural, environments and Western religious policies.

These proposed research directions not only build upon the academic foundations laid by the current thesis, but also contribute to expanding the scope of Religious Studies in Vietnam. They approach indigenous religions through interdisciplinary, practical, and historical perspectives. Furthermore, they provide valuable references for religious administrators, intercultural researchers, and policy makers in the field of cultural and religious affairs.

13. Published works related to the thesis: None