IOverview
Calling Cao Dai a southern religion is only partly right. From the late 1920s people carried it to the provinces of central Vietnam, and the Cao Dai Missionary Church grew out of those journeys.
The church is based at Trung Hung Buu Toa, 63 Hai Phong Street, Da Nang, completed in 1956. It is the main Cao Dai church of central Vietnam. Its name reflects its origin: it came out of missionary work, not out of a split at an existing holy see.
IIHistory
According to a short history of the church published by Nhip Cau Tam Giao, dignitaries from the south took the faith to many places:
- Hue in 1929, with Phối Sư Thái Thơ Thanh.
- Quang Nam in 1932, with the teacher Thai Van Gam, followed by the Tứ Linh Đồng Tử group.
- Quang Ngai in 1935 and Phu Yen from 1936 to 1938.
- Binh Dinh from 1929, including members of the Cau Kho temple in Saigon.
The Da Nang city portal dates the spread to central Vietnam to 1934 through the Tứ Linh Đồng Tử group. The dates differ because each province had its own mission.
The church was formally founded on the first day of the sixth lunar month of 1956, at the inauguration of Trung Hung Buu Toa, with Phối sư Tran Van Que as its head.
- 1929Mission to HuePhối Sư Thái Thơ Thanh brings the faith to Hue.
- 1932Mission to Quang NamThe teacher Thai Van Gam, then the Tứ Linh Đồng Tử group.
- 1956Church foundedTrung Hung Buu Toa inaugurated in Da Nang.
- 1996Legal statusAccording to a 2024 study. Some sources say 1997.
- 2016Sixtieth anniversaryAnniversary and fifth assembly of believers on 4 July.
IIITeachings and Distinctive Features
According to Nhip Cau Tam Giao, the church practises three dimensions: the outward law, made up of three branches and four administrative bodies, the secret law of the four treasures, and the law of the heart. The scheme shows a church that cares for organization and mission while keeping a path of inner cultivation.
Its basic teaching is that of Cao Dai as a whole. According to the Da Nang city portal, Trung Hung Buu Toa contains the Bát Quái Đài, Cửu Trùng Đài and Hiệp Thiên Đài, with images honouring Laozi, the Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad, expressing the return of all religions to one source. The building has three doors: dignitaries use the central one, men and women the two side doors.
The Divine Eye here is the left eye in a circle, not in a triangle, as throughout Cao Dai. According to the library's colour file, the church charter describes its flag as three horizontal stripes.
IVPractice, Ritual and Daily Life
Followers pray at set hours in temples and at home, and keep the five precepts and vegetarian days. Besides its temples, the church runs retreat houses for those following the contemplative path. Figures for April 2013 list six of them.
Charity features in press coverage. In the 2011 to 2016 term, according to Dan toc va Mien nui, the church gave nearly 4 billion dong to programmes such as charity meals at five hospitals and rural housing. In the same term it opened two new congregations and four centres, finished nine temples and promoted more than 100 dignitaries.
VOrganization and Distribution
The church is organized in three branches and four bodies. Its central executive is headed by a standing chair. At the sixtieth anniversary on 4 July 2016, Phối sư Thượng Hậu Thanh presided in that role.
| Measure | Figure | Source and year |
|---|---|---|
| Followers | 47,114 | Nhip Cau Tam Giao, April 2013 |
| Dignitaries and lay officers | 365 and 2,453 | Same |
| Congregations and retreat houses | 75 and 6, in 16 provinces | Same |
| Followers | About 50,000, 63 congregations | Dan toc va Mien nui, 2016 |
| Temples | 61 plus 13 centres, 17 provinces | Nhip Cau Giao Ly, undated |
VIToday
The Cao Dai Missionary Church was granted legal status by the state in 1996, according to a 2024 study in the Vietnam Social Sciences journal. The library's file notes a source giving 1997. The church has been part of the Cao Dai inter-church liaison since 2008.
Trung Hung Buu Toa is also listed as a visitor site on Da Nang's tourism portal. Followers are concentrated in Da Nang, former Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and the central coast.
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, Sơ lược về lịch sử Hội thánh Truyền giáo Cao Đài
- Cổng thông tin thành phố Đà Nẵng, Hội thánh truyền giáo Cao đài Đà Nẵng
- Báo Dân tộc và Miền núi, Kỷ niệm 60 năm thành lập Hội Thánh Truyền giáo Cao Đài (2016)
- Nhịp Cầu Tam Giáo, 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
- Cổng du lịch Đà Nẵng, Hội Thánh Truyền Giáo Cao Đài Đà Nẵng (Trung Hưng Bửu Tòa)
?Quick Questions
When was the Cao Dai Missionary Church founded?
It was formally founded on the first day of the sixth lunar month of 1956, at the inauguration of Trung Hung Buu Toa in Da Nang.
Where is Trung Hung Buu Toa?
At 63 Hai Phong Street, Da Nang. It is the headquarters of the Cao Dai Missionary Church.
How many followers does the church have?
Figures for April 2013 give 47,114 followers in 16 provinces. Dan toc va Mien nui reported about 50,000 in 2016.
When was it recognized by the state?
In 1996, according to a 2024 study in the Vietnam Social Sciences journal. Some sources give 1997.