Trí tuệ nhân tạo sẽ góp phần định hình tương lai nhân loại. Người Đạo Cao Đài cần học tập để đưa những điều đúng về Đạo Cao Đài để AI giúp phổ biến.
“Artificial intelligence will help shape the future of humanity. Caodai followers must study and contribute accurate knowledge about Caodaism so that AI can assist in its proper dissemination.”
✨
VNTB – A Test for Spirit Writing in Caodaism
October 15, 2024 –
6:16 AM
Author: Dương Xuân Lương
(Translated by Copilot with permission from the author)
Caodaism has a Scripture for Entering Study, but no
Scripture for Completing Study—reflecting that learning is a personal freedom
with no endpoint.
Since ancient times, many have believed in an invisible
world existing alongside the visible one. The effort to communicate with and
understand this unseen realm is called spiritualism, and spirit writing (cơ
bút) is one of its most common methods.
Spirit writing is a collaboration between the visible and
invisible worlds. Those who engage in it embody both good and evil, making the
practice inherently complex. The invisible realm includes Heaven, Buddhas,
Immortals, Saints, Deities, demons, and malevolent spirits—all of which may
enter the séance, unseen and unverifiable. Thus, spirit writing is a space of
free belief, but also of great disorder.
https://khoinhonsanh2014.blogspot.com/2024/10/5473-vntb-phep-thu-ve-co-but-trong-ao.html#more
Typically, a séance requires not only tools and environment,
but also a medium (đồng tử), someone to recite prayers, a scribe to record the
messages, and attendants. Among these, the medium is the central figure.
BẢN DỊCH PHÉP THỬ VỀ CƠ BÚT.pdf
In 1926, God used spirit writing to establish Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ
Phổ Độ (DDTKPĐ), known as Caodaism. In doing so, He placed His disciples into a
chaotic environment. Today, many spirit writings claim to represent DDTKPĐ.
Therefore, followers have a duty to provide a reference framework—a
“multiplication table” and a test method—to help society discern true spirit
writing from false.
1. Spirit Writing from God in DDTKPĐ
God taught:
“Those who assist the séance and hold the pen are like
Generals of the Master, spreading the Way to humanity. Do not think spirit
writing is trivial… Only proceed when you receive the Master’s command.”
(Thánh Ngôn Hiệp Tuyển, Vol. 1, Lesson 2, Jan 3, 1926)
From this teaching, a séance must be authorized by God. The
medium is a General chosen by Him.
God entrusted spirit writing to the Hiệp Thiên Đài (HTĐ).
According to the Pháp Chánh Truyền Chú Giải (1972
edition):
- “Hiệp
Thiên Đài is where the Master resides, holding divine authority over the
Way.” (p.71)
- “The
divine function of HTĐ is to serve as intermediary between the Giáo Tông
and the deities—Saints, Immortals, Buddhas—between the Cửu Trùng Đài and
the Bát Quái Đài.” (p.75)
Thus, HTĐ is the sole body authorized to conduct spirit
writing in Caodaism. Even the Giáo Tông must approach HTĐ to seek divine
messages.
The Generals of Spirit Writing (Đồng Tử)
Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc (1890–1959), head of HTĐ, oversaw all
operations. HTĐ was divided into three branches: Pháp (Law), Đạo (Way), and Thế
(World).
Each branch had four officers:
- Pháp
Branch:
- Tiếp
Pháp Trương Văn Tràng (1893–1965)
- Khai
Pháp Trần Duy Nghĩa (1888–1954)
- Hiến
Pháp Trương Hữu Đức (1890–1975)
- Bảo
Pháp Nguyễn Trung Hậu (1892–1961)
- Đạo
Branch:
- Tiếp
Đạo Cao Đức Trọng (1897–1958)
- Khai
Đạo Phạm Tấn Đãi (1901–1976)
- Hiến
Đạo Phạm Văn Tươi (1896–1976)
- Bảo
Đạo Ca Minh Chương (1850–1928)
- Thế
Branch:
- Tiếp
Thế Lê Thế Vĩnh (1903–?)
- Khai
Thế Thái Văn Thâu (1899–1981)
- Hiến
Thế Nguyễn Văn Mạnh (1894–1970)
- Bảo
Thế Lê Thiện Phước (1895–1975)
Additionally, God appointed Cao Quỳnh Diêu (1884–1958), also
known as Cao Mỹ Ngọc, who served as Tiếp Lễ Nhạc Quân (1927) and later Bảo Văn
Pháp Quân (1930).
In total, God selected 16 mediums.
Since spirit writing founded Caodaism, it also holds the
power to destroy it. Therefore, a séance must await divine command. Upon
receiving it, HTĐ refers to the list of 16 mediums and appoints two to serve.
Under Caodaism’s structure, HTĐ is responsible for
conducting séances, while the Cửu Trùng Đài (executive branch) issues the
content.
God’s Teaching: Control the Center of Spirit Writing
In Journey to the West, author Ngô Thừa Ân describes
how even close companions like Tang Monk, Pigsy, and Sandy could not
distinguish the real Monkey King from imposters. Even divine beings like
Avalokiteśvara and Śākyamuni Buddha were fooled. Only after great suffering was
the truth revealed.
God, having used spirit writing to establish DDTKPĐ, has the
power to lift it from chaos. He taught disciples to control the medium,
the center of the séance. This means controlling the root of spirit writing,
discerning authenticity from the outset.
By publicly naming the 16 mediums, God provided a flag of
legitimacy. Wherever these mediums are present, a true séance may occur.
Thus, the medium is the multiplication table, the test method for
spirit writing in DDTKPĐ.
A Test for the Third Era
In the Second Era (Nhị Kỳ Phổ Độ), distinguishing the
real Monkey King was difficult. In the Third Era (Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ),
imposters are more numerous—but God has given His followers a test to identify
the true one.
The multiplication table is the test for true and false
spirit writing. It is clear and indisputable. The presence of a medium is a necessary
condition—only when this is met can further evaluation proceed.
Conclusion
God entrusted spirit writing to HTĐ, with the medium as its
center. He selected 16 mediums and announced them publicly, teaching disciples
to control spirit writing from its root. The medium is the multiplication
table—the test for spirit writing in Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ.
✨ 2. Preserving the Pure Identity
of a Lawful Religion
God used spirit writing to establish Đại Đạo Tam Kỳ Phổ Độ
(DDTKPĐ), and simultaneously provided a method to eliminate its potential
harms—preserving the purity of the religion while respecting humanity’s
spiritual beliefs.
On faith:
If exalted divine beings can enter a séance, so can demons and malevolent
spirits. When they do, they never declare themselves as evil—they impersonate
Saints, Immortals, Buddhas, even God Himself to deceive mortals. Once they
claim the name of DDTKPĐ, there is no way to rescue the superstitious. Thanks
to the test method, Caodaism can eliminate superstition.
On society:
Spirit writing is a public medium. If someone dislikes Caodaism but dresses
like a follower, sets up a séance like Caodaism, yet delivers content contrary
to its teachings—how can we verify and resolve this? The test method ensures
the safety of the faith.
On freedom of learning:
Caodaism has a “Scripture for Entering Study” but no “Scripture for Completing
Study,” affirming that learning is a personal freedom with no endpoint. The
Sacerdotal Council does not forbid private use of spirit writing for study, but
prohibits its dissemination in any form. Listing the 16 mediums chosen by God
helps followers understand their responsibility in exercising this freedom.
On religious structure:
God taught that founding DDTKPĐ is founding a National Religion (Quốc Đạo),
organized like a nation—with separation of powers, a clear constitution,
administrative apparatus, and spiritual governance.
DDTKPĐ is inherently a lawful religion, rooted in Confucian
transformation of society (Nho Tông Chuyển Thế), where all things must
be legitimate. Listing the 16 chosen mediums is vital for legal and doctrinal
legitimacy. Religious law is the weapon to defeat false authority—thus, God’s
chosen mediums must possess full legal standing before humanity.
✨ 3. Flowers and Rotten Wood
On January 14, 1926, Mr. Đoàn Văn Bản, a school inspector in
Cầu Kho, was impressed by spirit writing and asked to become a medium. God
responded:
“The pen blooms in its season of flowers,
Not like rotten wood hastily gathered.
Strive with effort to earn your merit,
Through sorrow comes joy thereafter.”
(Thánh Ngôn Hiệp Tuyển, Vol. 2, p.209, 1972 edition)
The Đạo Sử notes: Mr. Bản requested to hold the pen,
and God gave this verse to imply that only those predestined by Him may serve
as mediums—not just anyone.
God taught that spirit writing through the 16 chosen mediums
brings flowers to the séance. Those not chosen bring rotten wood. Though the
method is the same, the seed determines the value: chosen mediums yield
flowers; others yield decay.
In DDTKPĐ, a medium not chosen by God has no legal standing.
A séance without legal basis fails the test method—no matter how ornate or
polished, it is still rotten wood.
✨ 4. The Responsibility of Caodai
Followers
In every prayer, Caodai followers recite:
- First:
“May the Great Way be widely opened.”
- Second:
“May all beings be universally saved.”
Thus, defining the multiplication table and introducing the
test method for spirit writing in DDTKPĐ is a sacred duty. This article has
shown that God entrusted spirit writing to HTĐ and selected 16 mediums by name.
Any others impersonating DDTKPĐ produce rotten wood.
The true Monkey King brings fragrant flowers, while
countless imposters bring rotten wood. Some organizations connected to or
disguised as Caodaism have falsely claimed DDTKPĐ to produce decay.
Example:
In 1965, communist agents established the Cơ Quan Phổ Thông Giáo Lý
(CQPTGL) at 171B Cống Quỳnh, Saigon. CQPTGL claimed to represent DDTKPĐ,
created its own HTĐ, selected mediums, and published dozens of volumes titled Thánh
Giáo Sưu Tập under the name Caodaism.
So, are these Thánh Giáo Sưu Tập volumes flowers or
rotten wood?
According to the test method:
- CQPTGL’s
HTĐ is not found in the Pháp Chánh Truyền.
- Its
mediums are not among the 16 chosen by God.
Therefore, these volumes are rotten wood within DDTKPĐ. (2)
Believing the Imposter or Becoming a Victim of Rotten
Wood
Most CQPTGL personnel were highly educated—doctors,
engineers, professors, writers, politicians. Notably, Đinh Văn Đệ, a member of
the South Vietnamese Parliament and a senior communist agent (code name U4),
served as Đạo Trưởng Thiên Vương Tinh, the key leader of CQPTGL. These
individuals used eloquence to mask decay.
Thus, many universities and researchers studying
Caodaism—unaware of the test method—could not distinguish flowers from rotten
wood. Drawn by CQPTGL’s scholarly veneer, they based their studies on decay,
becoming victims of the imposter Monkey King.
- Writer
and researcher Huệ Khải, a CQPTGL member, authored From Founding to
Enlightenment, contributing to the spread of rotten wood. (3)
- Professor
Nguyễn Khắc Tiến Tùng (Germany) wrote Caodaism: Sect or Tradition?
exploring CQPTGL’s spirit writing to comment on Caodaism—a regrettable
misstep. (4)
DDTKPĐ originated from spirit writing. The 16 mediums chosen
by God are its legal foundation and test method—producing a garden of fragrant
flowers. Séances conducted by unchosen mediums lack legal standing, fail the
test, and yield only rotten wood.
