TTLV: The influence of the ideology of Dharma Protector Pham Cong Tac in the life of Cao Dai followers of Tay Ninh Holy See

MASTER'S THESIS INFORMATION

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 recognition of students No. 1811/QD-XHNV dated September 8, 2021 of the President 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 topic name:The influence of the ideology of Dharma Protector Pham Cong Tac in the life of Cao Dai followers of Tay Ninh Holy See

8. Major: Religious Studies; Code: 8229009.01

9. Scientific advisor: Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Xuan

10. Summary of thesis results:

The thesis aims to examine and analyze the in-depth influence of the ideology of Ho Phap Pham Cong Tac - the most important historical figure, the key leader of Cao Dai religion - on the moral and spiritual life, beliefs and practical social values of Cao Dai followers of Tay Ninh Holy See, especially in the current context. Through analyzing the ideological system of Ho Phap and examining the practical life of followers at home and abroad, the thesis helps to identify specific aspects of the influence of the ideology of the historical figure Ho Phap Pham Cong Tac and assess the level of adaptation in contemporary social conditions.

The thesis determines that the ideology of Dharma Protector Pham Cong Tac has a tight structure, operating on three major axes:

• Religious and spiritual thought: Views on God, soul, law of cause and effect, heavenly mechanisms, the role of humans, the Church in the process of self-improvement and practice, describing the process after death of "eternal sacredness". Dharma Protector emphasizes the connection between the invisible and visible worlds, considering religious life as a path of self-cultivation leading to liberation through the three paths of liberation of the Third Great Era of Universal Salvation.

• Ethical and humanistic ideology: Emphasizing the spirit of charity, justice, altruism, self-reliance, and self-cultivation. Concepts such as “the great path of cultivation”, “the path of self-cultivation to enter the third great path” are not only moral ideals but also practical orientations for believers.

• Social and national ideology: Viewing religion as linked to the destiny of the country and the nation; emphasizing patriotism, promoting social ethics, preserving traditional culture "nam phong thu nhut bien nhon phong" and contributing to the longevity of the nation "a small country among thousands of countries - the future owner will be strange". 

11. Practical application:

The thesis affirms that the ideology of Dharma Protector Pham Cong Tac has a profound and multi-dimensional influence on the lives of followers and dignitaries of Cao Dai Holy See Tay Ninh, not only on the level of belief but also on the level of morality, nation and ethnicity. That ideology plays a role as a system of standards guiding individual behavior, community organization and social awareness in the Cao Dai Holy See Tay Ninh community. At the same time, the thesis also contributes to clarifying the relationship between religious ideology and practical life, between the structure of belief and the structure of society in an endogenous religion founded in Vietnam by the harmonious combination of the invisible hand of "God the Supreme Being" and the hand of Dharma Protector Pham Cong Tac and the great intellectuals of Cochinchina in the early 19th century such as Le Van Trung, Cao Quynh Cu, Cao Hoai Sang, Cao Quynh Dieu, Lam Ngoc Thanh, Nguyen Ngoc Tho, Ngo Van Chieu...

Thereby, the study provides additional materials for the field of Religious Studies in analyzing the role of individual religious leaders in the process of forming and maintaining the value system in the community of believers. On the basis ofThe practice of state management of beliefs and religions in Tay Ninh in particular and Vietnam in general, so that other localities can refer to and learn from experience to promote the role of improved management work, openness and a positive, correct perspective on Cao Dai in general and Dharma Protector Pham Cong Tac in particular, in accordance with the spirit of the state "advocating closing the past, respecting differences, looking towards the future, striving together to build a peaceful, unified, happy, prosperous and developed Vietnam." "Religion contributes to promoting national solidarity, building and protecting the fatherland."

12. Further research directions:

The political and social thoughts of Ho Phap Pham Cong Tac in the historical context of Vietnam in the early and mid-20th century. Analyze the relationship between Ho Phap's thoughts and the political and social circumstances of Vietnam in the colonial and post-colonial periods. Clarify the national stance, attitude towards colonialism, and the role of religion in the process of national construction.

Transformation and reinterpretation of Dharmapala ideology in the community of young believers. Surveying how the younger generation of believers approach, understand and apply Dharmapala ideology in the context of modern, urbanized and globalized society. Analyzing the process of “restructuring beliefs” and “individualizing religious practice” from classical thought.

The role of Hiep Thien Dai and the model of religious organization according to the ideology of Ho Phap: From principle to practice. Research on the organizational structure of religious practice established and idealized by Ho Phap, compared with the current operational status of Cao Dai establishments. Evaluate the effectiveness, challenges and adaptability of Hiep Thien Dai's structure in the modern context.

The influence of the Dharma Protector ideology in the overseas Cao Dai community. Research on how the Cao Dai community in the US, Australia, and Canada receives, preserves, and interprets the Dharma Protector ideology in the context of minority religions, multicultural environments, and Western religious policies.

The above research directions not only continue the academic foundation from the current thesis, but also contribute to expanding the scope of Religious Studies in Vietnam in approaching indigenous religions from an interdisciplinary, practical and historical perspective. They are also valuable references for religious managers, 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