IOverview
Bạch Y means white robes. The full name recorded in the sources is Bach Y Lien Doan Chon Ly, a Cao Dai church based near Rach Gia.
The church has its seat at the Ngoc Kinh Holy See in Mong Tho B commune, Chau Thanh district, former Kien Giang province, which became part of An Giang in the 2025 reform. It is one of the smallest recognized Cao Dai churches, with 14 temples according to Nhip Cau Giao Ly.
It keeps the shared principles of the faith: the Third Universal Salvation, worship of the Supreme Being, the precepts and vegetarian days.
IIHistory
According to Nhip Cau Tam Giao, the Bach Y Lien Doan Chon Ly church was founded in 1955. On the 15th day of the second lunar month of 1958 it began building the Ngoc Kinh Holy See in Mong Tho B commune, Chau Thanh district, Kien Giang. In 1998 it was granted legal status by the state.
The library has not found a reliable source naming the founder or describing how the church came about. Its name contains the words Chon Ly, but no source explains any link with the Cao Dai Chon Ly Church in My Tho.
- 1955FoundingThe Bach Y Lien Doan Chon Ly church is formed.
- 1958Ngoc Kinh begunBuilding starts on the 15th day of the second lunar month.
- 1998Legal statusThe church is recognized by the state.
- 2025New boundariesThe holy see becomes part of An Giang province.
IIITeachings and Distinctive Features
The basic teaching of Bach Y is that of Cao Dai as a whole. Where the Divine Eye is worshipped in the common way, it is a left eye inside a circle, not in a triangle. No source describing a symbol particular to this church has been found.
One compilation on Cao Dai organizations says Bach Y uses its own scripture called Ngọc Đế Chơn Truyền. The library has not been able to check this against the church's own documents.
IVPractice, Ritual and Daily Life
Followers pray at set hours in temples and at home, and keep the five precepts and vegetarian days common to all Cao Dai. No source describing the church's own festival calendar or vestments has been found. The name suggests white robes, but the library does not infer a dress rule without a source.
VOrganization and Distribution
The church is governed through a general assembly of believers held by term. The Government Committee for Religious Affairs news site carries a report on its sixth term assembly. Another report on the same site covers the first conference of the church's women's branch in An Giang, showing that the women's branch has its own structure.
As for size, Nhip Cau Giao Ly lists 14 temples, undated. There is no reliable figure for followers. The church is a member of the Cao Dai inter-church liaison, according to a 2024 study.
VIToday
The Cao Dai Bach Y Church was granted legal status in 1998, according to a 2024 study in the Vietnam Social Sciences journal. After Kien Giang merged into An Giang in 2025, the church sent congratulations to the new Chau Thanh commune of An Giang, according to the Committee's news site.
The Ngoc Kinh Holy See remains its centre. Followers are concentrated around Rach Gia and Chau Thanh in former Kien Giang.
VIISymbol of the Branch
No symbol of its own is recorded with a source for this branch, so the library uses the common symbol of the path.
VIIIOther Branches of Caodaism
Cao Dai Tay Ninh Holy SeeĐại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ Tòa Thánh Tây NinhThe largest church, centred on the Tay Ninh Holy See.Cao Dai Ban Chinh DaoĐại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ, Hội Thánh Ban Chỉnh Đạo, Tòa thánh An HộiSeparated from Tay Ninh in 1934, based at An Hoi in Ben Tre.Uses the common symbol of the pathCao Dai Tien ThienTiên Thiên Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ, Hội thánh Cao Đài Tiên ThiênBased at Chau Minh in Ben Tre, founded 1937.Uses the common symbol of the pathCao Dai Missionary ChurchĐại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ, Hội Thánh Truyền Giáo Cao Đài, Trung Hưng Bửu TòaThe main Cao Dai church of central Vietnam, based in Da Nang since 1956.Uses the common symbol of the pathCao Dai Minh Chon DaoĐại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ, Hội Thánh Cao Đài Minh Chơn Đạo, Tòa thánh Ngọc SắcBased at Ngoc Sac in Ca Mau, rebuilt in 1954.Uses the common symbol of the pathCao Dai Cau Kho Tam QuanĐại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ, Hội Thánh Cao Đài Cầu Kho Tam QuanBased at Tam Quan in Binh Dinh, founded 1954.Uses the common symbol of the path
Chieu Minh LineageChiếu Minh Vô Vi, Chiếu Minh Tam Thanh Vô ViThe lineage of Ngo Van Chieu, first recipient of the Divine Eye in 1921.Cao Dai Chon LyĐại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ, Hội thánh Cao Đài Chơn LýBased in My Tho, built around 1928 to 1931, one of the earliest branches.Uses the common symbol of the pathCao Dai Bach YBạch Y Liên Đoàn Chơn Lý, Tòa thánh Ngọc KinhAlso called Bach Y Lien Doan Chon Ly, based at Ngoc Kinh in Kien Giang since 1955.Uses the common symbol of the pathIndependent Cao Dai templesCao Đài Bảo Thủ Chơn Truyền, Cao Đài Pháp Chánh TruyềnTemples and followers outside the recognized churches, describing themselves as keepers of the original 1926 rule.Uses the common symbol of the pathIXSources
The library cross-checks the sources below. Where they disagree, the page gives both.
- Nhịp Cầu Tam Giáo, Các Tòa Thánh Đạo Cao Đài
- Nhịp Cầu Giáo Lý, Các Tòa Thánh Đạo Cao Đài
- Nguyễn Thanh Xuân, Nguyễn Thị Quế Hương, Tạp chí Khoa học xã hội Việt Nam số 9 năm 2024
- Ban Tôn giáo Chính phủ, Cao Đài Bạch Y tổ chức Đại hội Nhơn sanh toàn phái nhiệm kỳ VI
- Ban Tôn giáo Chính phủ, Hội nghị đại biểu Nữ phái Hội thánh Cao Đài Bạch Y lần thứ I tại An Giang
- Ban Tôn giáo Chính phủ, Hội thánh Cao Đài Bạch Y đến thăm và chúc mừng xã Châu Thành, tỉnh An Giang
- Văn hóa tâm linh, Các Hội thánh, tổ chức Cao Đài
?Quick Questions
Where is the Cao Dai Bach Y Church?
At the Ngoc Kinh Holy See, Mong Tho B commune, Chau Thanh district, former Kien Giang province, now part of An Giang.
When was Bach Y recognized?
In 1998, according to a 2024 study in the Vietnam Social Sciences journal.
How many temples does Bach Y have?
Nhip Cau Giao Ly lists 14 temples. There is no reliable figure for followers.