IOverview
Ban Chinh Dao was one of the earliest and largest divisions within Cao Dai. The name states the founders' own aim: to set the affairs of the religion in order.
The church is based at the An Hoi Holy See in former Ben Tre province, which became part of Vinh Long in the 2025 boundary reform. According to Nhip Cau Giao Ly, it ranks second in number of temples after Tay Ninh.
In doctrine Ban Chinh Dao keeps the shared Cao Dai framework: worship of the Supreme Being through the Divine Eye, the Third Universal Salvation, the five precepts and periodic vegetarian days. The differences lie in organization and in some particular rites.
IIHistory
According to Nhip Cau Giao Ly, the church was founded by two senior dignitaries, Nguyen Ngoc Tuong and Le Ba Trang, both acting Đầu Sư. In 1934, 85 congregations in 18 provinces separated from the Tay Ninh Holy See. The founding assembly met on 20 November 1934 at the An Hoi temple. VietnamNet reported in 2021 that 96 of the 135 temples then in existence took part.
In 1935 Nguyen Ngoc Tuong was elected Pope of the church and served until his death in 1951. The An Hoi temple was rebuilt in 1935 and became the Holy See.
Sources do not agree on the detailed causes of the split. The church's own accounts stress its mission of rectification. The library does not enter the internal debate between the two sides.
- 1934FoundingAssembly on 20 November at the An Hoi temple, Ben Tre.
- 1935Pope electedNguyen Ngoc Tuong elected Pope. The An Hoi temple rebuilt.
- 1951Death of the PopeNguyen Ngoc Tuong dies.
- 1997Legal statusDecision 26/QĐ/TGCP of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs.
- 2022Sixth term assemblyAssembly for the 2022 to 2027 term, attended by a Committee representative.
IIITeachings and Distinctive Features
The basic teaching of Ban Chinh Dao is that of Cao Dai as a whole: the Supreme Being, the return of the Three Teachings to one source, the reunion of the Five Branches, karma and rebirth, and the final goal of returning to the origin.
According to Nhip Cau Giao Ly, the church has three notable features of its own:
- Houses of retreat for those pursuing the middle and higher stages of practice.
- No use of spirit writing in the Hiệp Thiên Đài.
- Its own sacramental rites, such as the rite of great pardon and the rite of release from suffering.
The church describes completing the Supreme Being's work of rectification as its sacred mission, as quoted by VietnamNet in 2021.
Leaving Tay Ninh did not mean founding a different religion. Ban Chinh Dao still worships the Divine Eye, a left eye in a circle and not in a triangle, keeps the name of the Great Way of the Third Universal Salvation and takes part in joint activities with other Cao Dai organizations.
IVPractice, Ritual and Daily Life
Followers pray at set hours in temples and at home, and keep the vegetarian days and five precepts common to all Cao Dai. The major feasts include the Supreme Being's day at the start of the year, the three seasonal festivals and the founding anniversary. The church runs doctrine classes and reprints scriptures.
Charity is the side most often reported in the press. VietnamNet reported on 25 November 2021 that the church had treated patients more than one million times through its clinics and charity units.
VOrganization and Distribution
The church keeps the three-council framework of the constitution, with the differences noted above. The central level sits at the An Hoi Holy See, with representative boards in the provinces, twelve of them according to VietnamNet in 2021. It has taken part in the Cao Dai inter-church liaison since 2008.
There are two temple counts. Nhip Cau Giao Ly gives 251 temples in 25 provinces. VietnamNet in 2021 gives 226 temples in 26 provinces.
| Measure | Figure | Source and year |
|---|---|---|
| Followers | 788,000 | The church, 1997 to 2002, Nhip Cau Giao Ly |
| Dignitaries | 1,403 | Same |
| Lay officers | 6,972 | Same |
| Temples | 226, in 26 provinces | VietnamNet, 2021 |
| Temples | 251, in 25 provinces | Nhip Cau Giao Ly, undated |
VIToday
In 1997 the Government Committee for Religious Affairs signed decision 26/QĐ/TGCP granting the church legal status, according to Nhip Cau Giao Ly. The church operates under its charter and holds regular assemblies. The sixth term assembly (2022 to 2027) was attended by Deputy Head Nguyen Anh Chuc of the Committee, according to the Committee's news site.
Since the 2025 boundary reform, the An Hoi Holy See lies in Vinh Long province. Followers remain concentrated in former Ben Tre and the Mekong Delta.
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 Giáo Lý, Hội Thánh Cao Đài Ban Chỉnh Đạo
- VietnamNet, Hội thánh Cao đài Ban Chỉnh đạo tích cực làm từ thiện (25 tháng 11 năm 2021)
- 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, Phó Trưởng ban Nguyễn Ánh Chức dự Đại hội Hội thánh Cao Đài Ban Chỉnh đạo nhiệm kỳ VI
?Quick Questions
When did Ban Chinh Dao separate from Tay Ninh?
In 1934. The founding assembly met on 20 November 1934 at the An Hoi temple in Ben Tre, according to Nhip Cau Giao Ly.
Who was the Pope of Ban Chinh Dao?
Nguyen Ngoc Tuong was elected Pope in 1935 and served until his death in 1951.
When was Ban Chinh Dao recognized?
In 1997, by decision 26/QĐ/TGCP of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs.
How does Ban Chinh Dao differ from Tay Ninh?
The core teaching is the same. According to Nhip Cau Giao Ly, Ban Chinh Dao does not use spirit writing in the Hiệp Thiên Đài, runs houses for advanced practice and has its own rites such as the great pardon.