Question 30: What happens to someone who breaks their vow (thất thệ)?  

From the day the Religion was founded, the Supreme Being has never compelled anyone to follow the Dao. He merely points out to humanity which path is righteous and which is crooked, which path is true and leads to liberation from the cycle of rebirth, and which path winds in darkness and leads to sin and degradation.

Human beings, once clearly understanding these things, awaken; yet whether they take that path—or decline to walk it — rests entirely upon their own choice and decision.

“If anyone understands My Divine Words, spoken through your mouths, and awakens, then his place among the living is still preserved; if not, then let them follow the dark spirits.” (Thánh Ngôn Hiệp Tuyển)

“The Dao is precious; what is precious is not urged upon others. My children, do not lose heart.” c(Thánh Ngôn Hiệp Tuyển)

To make the Sacred Oath (Lập Minh Thệ) is to express a firm resolve to follow the Dao for one’s whole life. To enter the Dao — to receive initiation and to make the Sacred Oath — is a great and solemn matter in one’s earthly journey, a turning point of immense significance.

Therefore, one must weigh it carefully, seek understanding thoroughly, and examine every aspect with seriousness and integrity.

This era is the final age of the Third Cycle of the Lower Realm (Hạ Nguơn Tam Chuyển), moving into the Fourth Cycle of the Upper Realm (Thượng Nguơn Tứ Chuyển), the time of establishing a Sacred Age of Virtue. Humanity must pass through a Great Final Judgment, bringing an end to an old cycle of evolution and inaugurating a new cycle of spiritual advancement.

Thus, the Supreme Being requires the Sacred Oath, not as a burden, but as an expression of His boundless paternal love — the love of the Compassionate Father who urges His children to hasten their cultivation, that they may return to Him in time.

Naturally, when the divine law of justice is opened, there must be reward for the faithful and punishment for those who violate it. If one sincerely fulfills the Sacred Oath, one will surely receive Heaven’s grace, as has already been explained above. If one does not uphold the Oath, punishment inevitably follows.

To break the Oath (thất thệ) is to lose the pledged word, to fail to keep it, to neglect its fulfillment.

The Seventh Lady of the Diêu Trì Palace (Thất Nương Diêu Trì Cung) teaches concerning the Realm of Shadow (Yin dimension):

“Alas! Though the Great Father’s grace is so vast, yet countless true souls still fall into degradation, day after day without cease. This is because they lack faith and do not place their trust in the Subpremse God. These are the devotees who have broken their Oath.”

The Great Father’s grace is so immense, yet countless true souls still fall each day without end. For they lack the fullness of faith and the confidence of trust in the Subpremse God — such are the brethren and followers who have broken their Sacred Oath. (Thánh Ngôn Hiệp Tuyển)