Question 76: What is the Hiệp Thiên Đài?  

The Hiệp Thiên Đài is the legislative and judicial body within the Great Way of the Third Universal Salvation. Hiệp Thiên is an abbreviation of the four words Hiệp Nhứt Thiên Nhơn — “Unity of Heaven and Humanity.”

This body maintains communication and preservation of the true transmitted laws of the Faith. The Hiệp Thiên Đài is also regarded as a judicial authority.

It is composed of two offices: Pháp Chánh and Phước Thiện.

•  1. PHÁP CHÁNH (Office of Righteous Law)

  This office preserves the laws of the Faith, safeguarding the integrity of the true transmission, with duties expressed in the following couplet hung at the office:

  “Pháp luật vô tư, đạo giáo từ oai tùng lý,
  Chánh tổng bất dịch chơn truyền, thiện ác tuỳ hình.”
  
  
  

  Meaning:

  The law is impartial and does not favor anyone, but the enforcement of religious justice is gentle and follows righteousness.
  The true path (Đạo Chánh) does not alter the authentic transmission, yet the treatment of good and evil is applied according to the forms of penalty.
  
  
  

•  2. PHƯỚC THIỆN (Office of Charity and Virtue)

  This office nurtures goodness and provides assistance to beings, ensuring conditions of nourishment and care, especially for orphans, the elderly, the weak, and the disabled.

  The Phước Thiện establishes a foundation of just economy and a social culture oriented toward goodness.

  Its principle is to live by love and serve humanity through righteous acts, and thus this office is considered the channel that brings the World back to the Dao (Path), guiding society toward the age of Sage Virtue (Thánh Đức).

  Phước Thiện functions like a religious order: living devoted to serving the world, and upon death, securing an honored place. Within Phước Thiện, there are twelve ranks, ascending from low to high.

  Its mission is illustrated by the couplet hung before the office:

  “Phước đức thiên ban vạn vật chúng sanh ly khổ kiếp,
  Thiện duyên địa trữ thập phương chư Phật hiệp nguyên nhân.”
  
  
  

  Meaning:

  Heaven bestows virtue and blessings so that all beings may be freed from lives of suffering.
  Earth stores good causes, and the Buddhas of the Ten Directions unite all causes, returning them to their source.