PHÁP CHÁNH TRUYỀN
Chú Giải

     Commentary: Phoi Su are under the control of the Chanh Phoi Su, and share equal authority with them in executing their commands. When ordered by the Chanh Phoi Su for a mission anywhere, they obey the Chanh Phoi Su. If they violate such orders, they will be judged at the Three Sect Court.
    

     Divine text: There are 72 Giao Su, divided into three Branches of 24 each.
     Commentary:That number may not be increased nor decreased.
    
     Divine text: They are responsible for the spiritual and temporal education of the disciples.
     Commentary:: Although they may replace the Dau Su and the Chanh Phoi Su to direct the temples of the larger cities, they are devoted only to the education of the faithful by directing them in God's Way and in social life. This is not unusual, because all dignitaries of the Cuu Trung Dai, according to religious law, are to educate the disciples.
    
     Because God called Himself our Master (or our Teacher), all the names of dignitaries demonstrate clearly their role as educators: Giao Huu (Priests), Giao Su (Bishops), Phoi Su (Archbishops), Dau Su (Cardinals), Giao Tong (Pope). In the designation of their roles, we consistently find the words "Giao" (Education) or "Su" (Teacher).
    
     Since the dark ages, all religions have pursued the same goal as Confucius: "Thien mang chi vi tanh. Xuat tanh chi vi Dao. Tu Dao chi vi giao." ("The duty of each human being is to know himself, and then to know the Great Way, and to progress in the Way of the Perfection and attain Wisdom. This is the goal of Education.")
    
     The Sacerdotal Council, in union with the divine will, pursues the same goal: to educate and help humanity to progress on the road of love (Charity).
    
     Divine text: They protect and guide disciples, as if they were younger brothers or sisters.
    
     Commentary: The Phoi Su devote themselves to the faithful of their parish as elder siblings to their younger. They visit them, help them, preserve harmony among them, share their sorrows and joys, and in all ways consider them as their own younger siblings.That pleases our Master.
    
     Divine text: They keep all registries of the disciples.
    
     Commentary:Registries of birth, death, marriages, conversions or excommunications of disciples are maintained by the Giao Su. In the religion, they play the role of officers of the civil state. Their powers are thus determined; no dignitary may substitute for the Giao Su.
    
     Divine text: They must provide help in case of marriage or death of "each disciple".
    
     Commentary: By keeping registries much like a civil state, they may more easily help disciples in major events in their lives, such as marriage or death. Our Master trusts only in the Giao Su for the organization of these two ceremonies, which are important events in one's life.
    
     They must arrange the ceremonies so that they conform to the customs of the people, without harming the religion, and always with the approval of the Sacerdotal Council. Our Divine Master says "each disciple." However, one must understand this phrase to indicate "each people" because customs differ with people and races.
    
     Divine text: In the larger cities, the Giao Su have the right to preside over religious ceremonies, as do the Dau Su and the Phoi Su.
    
     Commentary: Our Divine Master's reference to "larger cities" is to parishes placed under the apostolic direction of the Giao Su.
     They preside over the large ceremonies for worship, just as the Dau Su and Phoi Su, but by complying to the instructions given by them or, in other words, by the Sacerdotal Council.
    
     Divine text: They may address propositions to the Sacerdotal Council for the cancellation or modification of laws which may be harmful to the disciples.
    
     Commentary: Ancient and new codes which may harm the disciples may be abolished or modified at the solicitation of the Giao Su.
    
     Divine text: They have to be close to all disciples in order to help them as brothers and sisters. Obey!
    
     Commentary:The Master has repeated about the role of the Giao Su to disciples as to brothers and sisters. He emphasizes this by saying “Obey!”
     Giao Su may replace the Dau Su and the Chanh Phoi Su to direct the temples of the larger cities and to preside the worshipping ceremonies. They have to obey the Phoi Su. They must not try to act by their own except in the areas determined by the Master. If they violate the orders they will be judged at the Three Sect Court.
    

     Divine text: The Giao Huu have the mission to propagate the new religion.
    
     Commentary: To propagate the new doctrine of God, the Giao Huu must have a solid education and a perfect comprehension of the doctrine. Thus, they must pass the apostolic course.
     The promotion of the religion is a great, distinguished task. Without knowing in depth the goal and principles of the religion, they may induce the masses into error and violate divine will.
    
     Moreover, the Giao Huu are true friends of people. They must be chosen among those with high standards of morals and virtue. They should be good examples to believers. People look at these examples to judge a religion.
    
     The role of the Giao Huu in the new religion is thus very important. To remain worthy of their mission, these Giao Huu must know all religious doctrines.
    
     Divine text: The Giao Huu may ask to modify laws.
    
     Commentary: They have the right to solicit the Sacerdotal Council to modify laws. They will be called to propagate the Cao Dai doctrine to countries and people, whose customs may not allow them to easily adapt to the New Religion Code. If they do not possess this exceptional power, the Giao Huu will not be able to evangelize them.
    
     Divine text: There will be 3,000 Giao Huu, 1,000 for each Branch. This number may not be changed.
    
     Commentary: The meaning of this text is very clear. It is superfluous to explain it, but one should clarify that the class of Giao Huu belongs to all people of the world and not only to Viet Nam. Similarly, the throne of the Giao Tong is accessible to all, regardless of ethnic origin.
    
     Divine text: They preside over the ritual ceremonies in the parishes of provinces.
    
     Commentary:Provinces may be understood as small countries. Provinces and small countries should depend on large provinces and large countries just like the Giao Huu are dependent on the Giao Su. When the Giao Huu preside over a parish, they will conduct the ceremonies according to the directives outlined by the Giao Su exactly. In this respect, they always obey the orders of the Giao Su so as not to commit any violation of divine law.
    
     Divine text: Solicitations from the Giao Huu must always be considered with care by the Giao Tong
    
     Commentary:The Giao Huu are close to the faithful; they are near the base of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, and the Giao Tong is the summit of the hierarchy. How, then, can the Giao Tong hear the people without the intermediation of the Giao Huu?
    
     The Supreme Being wants the Giao Tong to be always in contact with the faithful, thus He suggests that the Giao Tong always consider with care the solicitations from the Giao Huu. However, to maintain sacerdotal discipline, the Giao Huu must address their solicitations to the Giao Tong via the hierarchy.
    
     Divine text: If there are difficult problems, the Giao Huu may be ordered to function as investigators.
    
     Commentary:The disciples constitute the temporal mass: the people. To determine their degree of evolution, one has to be close to them. By frequenting them, the Giao Huu can determine their degree of harmony or disharmony.
     Thus, when a disagreement happens either among the disciples, or among the co-religious and the laypersons, the Giao Huu are the best persons to conduct investigations. That is why I give those responsibilities only to the Giao Huu.
    
     Divine text: They must have high standards of morals and virtue, because they are close to the people. Obey.
     Commentary: This sentence was clearly explained. Just need to pay attention to the word “Obey!” of the Master.
    

     Divine text: The Le Sanh are chosen among the Sub-Dignitaries, based on their good behavior, for the celebration of ritual ceremonies.
    
     Commentary:The Le Sanh come from the most virtuous of the Sub-Dignitaries. They should always be worthy in their religious qualities and their education, for they are future Giao Huu. In order to be chosen, they must first graduate from the CaoDai religion school.
    
     When the Giao Huu are absent, they replace them in the celebration of ritual ceremonies, following scrupulously the instructions and examples given for the fulfillment of these daily duty. They depend on the Giao Huu.
     The role of the Le Sanh is similar to that of the "Brother" in Catholicism.
    
     Divine text: They may preside at altar installation ceremonies at disciples' homes.
    
     Commentary:The Le Sanh must always pay visits to the disciples, preside at the "ceremony of installation of the altar" at their homes and replace the Giao Huu in the teaching of rituals.
    
     When the CaoDai teaching is propagated outside of Viet Nam, there will be many who will be unable to celebrate the ceremonies exactly as in Viet Nam. In such situations, the Le Sanh will visit the disciples and, depending on the circumstances, educate them, comfort them, guide them, and assure them of their progress in spiritual life, in God's Way and in social life. They do this in place of the Giao Huu.
    
     Divine text: The Le Sanh are my youngest loves; do not offend them.
    
     Commentary:This divine goodness is very touching. Knowing that the role of the Le Sanh demands a great deal of resignation and virtue, our Divine Teacher loves them much and warns the dignitaries from abusing their power and offending them.
    
     Divine text: To become a dignitary, one must first be a Le Sanh. Exceptions are made for cases in which dignitaries are designated by the Divine Master directly.
    
     Commentary: This passage is clear, an explanation is superfluous. One must only add that the Le Sanh are elected by the disciples or they must graduate from the CaoDai religion school.
     These conditions are not required when our Divine Master Himself chooses dignitaries by means of the mediums of the Hiep Thien Dai.
    

     Commentary: The "Chanh Tri Su" are SubDignitaries established by the Spiritual Giao Tong and working under the Le Sanh. They have the function of Chief of Divisions in the parish, a function given by the Giao Tong, and they are the elder brothers of the disciples of each village.
    
     The following are the teachings of the Giao Tong on the important role of the Chanh Tri Su, when he asked the Ho Phap to grant the necessary power to them:
    
     "The Chanh Tri Su represent me in the parish and play the role of an elder brothers for the disciples. My wish is to be present everywhere, from the horizons to the limits of the seas. I think you wish the same, don't you?
    
     In the world, the class of the ignorant overwhelms in number the class of the knowledgeable. Therefore, if we do not bring a carefully designed organization to our divine task, we will never be able to evangelize the masses. The closer we are to the masses, the more difficulties we will encounter. We must find ways to control these difficulties as they first occur.
    
     For peace to reign, even in a small village, I beg you to delegate the legislative power to the Chanh Tri Su, so that we are represented everywhere, in the towns as in the countryside."
     The Ho Phap executed this recommendation, having grasped the distinguished thought of the Giao Tong.
    
     According to the instructions of the Giao Tong, the power of the Chanh Tri Su is defined as follows: The Chanh Tri Su are to protect and encourage the disciples placed under their supervision and come to their need. They consider these disciples as their younger siblings and always resolve their difficulties to their best interests. They facilitates the disciples' secular lives and have the right to use their legislative powers on them, while conforming to the orders from the Giao Huu, the Le Sanh and the chief of parish.
    
     For those disciples who commit sins and do not correct themselves, despite many warnings from the Chanh Tri Su, the latter may refer the case to the Giao Huu for more counseling. If the Giao Huu brings about no repentance from the recidivists, the Chanh Tri Su have the right to ask the Sacerdotal Council for excommunication or other punishment by addressing the report to the chief of parish.
    
     These reports are done in duplicate, one copy to the Hiep Thien Dai and the other to the Cuu Trung Dai.
     If the Cuu Trung Dai remains silent after considering the matter several times, the Chanh Tri Su may address the Hiep Thien Dai for a decision.
    
     The Chanh Tri Su are not allowed to exercise their functions outside of their parishes. They are helped in his task by the Pho Tri Su (Subordinated Sub-dignitaries) who direct themselves to the varied areas of the parish.
    
     The Pho Tri Su take turns to provide to the Chanh Tri Su 30 people devoted to community services each month or one person each day. These voluntary disciples receive orders from the Chanh Tri Su to visit daily with the disciples, to come to their aid, in case of sickness or poverty.
    
     These noble acts of the Chanh Tri Su summarize the humanitarian goals of the religion in the social aspect, the beauty of the doctrine of the saints residing in the sincere mutual help that no good soul ever refuses.
    
     The Spiritual Giao Tong adds: By doing so, you consider yourself as all belonging to the same family. Assist each other, share with each other your joys and sorrows, defend your common interests, stay always united in daily life, even in misery. Such is your honorable task.
    
     The Chanh Tri Su are to give their oaths before the altar of the parish prior to assuming their functions. They must be impartial in every matter toward everyone, even toward their parents, family, and brothers and sisters.
     The Chanh Tri Su are the Dau Su in miniature.
    

     Commentary:The Pho Tri Su are Subordinated Sub-dignitaries created by the Spiritual Giao Tong. They assume the same functions as the Chanh Tri Su in religious districts designated by the latter. They have administrative but not legislative power. They are assigned to guide, teach and help the disciples. They are to bring them consolation but not judgment.
    
     Alternating with the other Pho Tri Su, they must supply to the Chanh Tri Su 30 disciples devoted to community services each month. They assist the Chanh Tri Su in his task and report to the latter all that happens in their district every day.
    
     They also inform the Thong Su (other Subordinated Sub-dignitaries) of anything that could harm the religion, so that the Thong Su, through judicial power, may bring appropriate remedies.
    
     All acts contrary to religious rules and all complaints with proof must be referred by the Pho Tri Su to the Thong Su for settlement.
     It is forbidden to the Pho Tri Su to impede in the legislative power. The Pho Tri Su are the Giao Tong in miniature.
    

     Commentary:The Thong Su are subordinated subdignitaries created by the Ho Phap under the advice of the Spiritual Giao Tong.
     The Thong Su are of the same rank as the Pho Tri Su; however, they hold legislative power, but not administrative power. They are subordinated subdignitaries of the Hiep Thien Dai, formed by the Ho Phap and placed under the control of the Chanh Tri Su.
    
     Their role is to control the actions of the Pho Tri Su. They are responsible for reporting injustices, infractions to the rules, disobediences, and transgressions to the New Religious Code that occur in the apostolic district directed by the Pho Tri Su.
    
     Although they work under the Chanh Tri Su, they have a duty to report mistakes made by them. If the Chanh Tri Su has been warned several times of a mistake and s/he continues to ignore the warning, the Thong Su will make a report to the Cuu Trung Dai. If the Cuu Trung Dai makes no decision on the case, they may address themselves directly to the Hiep Thien Dai to ask for justice.
    
     The job of the Thong Su is to protect and support the miserable, defend the feeble (religious or not), bring assistance to the affected, poor, ill, handicapped, elderly, or the non-taxable (the non-taxable are handicapped who cannot work for their living). They refer these cases to the Pho Tri Su for protection and moral or pecuniary help.
    
     In their task, in case of difficulties and urgencies, the Thong Su may ask all dignitaries they meet, no matter what their rank may be, for help and support.
    
     Those disciples who are cited several times as recalcitrant, with proof of their infractions and proof that they refuse to help, or that they are disobeying religious rules, will be severely punished by the Sacerdotal Council at the request of the Hiep Thien Dai.
    
     Before they may exercise their authority, the Thong Su are sworn to their duties in front of the altar of the parish just as the Chanh Tri Su.
     The Thong Su are the Ho Phap in miniature.
    
     Divine text: In your judgment, if any injustice yet persist, the new religion has not yet fulfilled its goal.
    
     Commentary:In life, the lower class is often oppressed, so equality and justice disappear. Thus, the role of the Thong Su is very important.
    
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QUESTIONS
     1- The Chanh Phoi Su are not only the chiefs for the 33 Phoi Su but they also represent the Dau Su and possess the same attributions as the Dau Su. Therefore like the Dau Su, they have the right to ask for cancellation of the law if it is contrary to the activities and interests of the faithful.
     a-True
     b-False
    
     2- The Giao Su are responsible for the spiritual and temporal education of the disciples.
     a-True
     b-False
    
     3- The Giao Su keep all registries of the disciples.
     a-True
     b-False
    
     4- The Giao Su may address propositions to the Sacerdotal Council for the cancellation or modification of laws which may be harmful to the disciples.
     a-True
     b-False
    
     5- The Giao Huu have the mission to propagate the new religion.
     a-True
     b-False
    
     6- They have the right to solicit the Sacerdotal Council to modify laws.
     a- True
     b- False
    
     7- The Le Sanh are chosen among the Sub-Dignitaries, based on their good behavior
     a- True
     b- False
    
     8- The Chanh Tri Su facilitates the disciples' secular lives and have the right to use their legislative powers on them. They are the Cardinal in miniature.
     a- True
     b- False
     9- The Pho tri Su assume the same functions as the Chanh Tri Su in religious districts designated by the latter. They have administrative but not legislative power. They are the Giao Tong in miniature.
     a- True
     b- False
    
     10- The Thong Su are of the same rank as the Pho Tri Su; however, they hold legislative power, but not administrative power. They are the Ho Phap in miniature.
     a- True
     b- False

     *HT. Hum D. Bui, M.D

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