Question 77: What is the Cửu Trùng Đài?  

Cửu Trùng Đài, literally, means a tower of nine levels, but in terms of the Dao (Faith), its meaning is far broader.

The Cửu Trùng Đài is the seat of the Heavenly Dignitaries (Chức Sắc Thiên Phong), acting on behalf of Đức Chí Tôn to bring humanity to the Dao (Path), to educate them toward goodness, gradually guiding them on the way of cultivation, so that ultimately they may attain a high spiritual rank and return to unity with Đức Chí Tôn.

Therefore, the most important duty of the Cửu Trùng Đài is the salvation and education of humanity.

It is the executive authority within the Great Way of the Third Universal Salvation, holding the power of administration, overseeing the affairs of the Dao (Faith), and managing the offices that propagate the teaching and educate beings.

There are three branches representing the Three Purities (Tam Thanh):

• Phái Thái: wears yellow robes (Buddhist Way – Phật Đạo)
• Phái Thượng: wears green robes (Immortal Way – Tiên Đạo)
• Phái Ngọc: wears red robes (Saints Way – Thánh Đạo)

•  1. Administration (Hành Chánh)

  There are Cửu Viện, the nine major offices of the Dao (Faith), each responsible for specialized administrative work at the Central Holy See, and all under the supervision of the three Chief Coordinators (Principal Archbishops - Chánh Phối Sư).

  Phái Thái oversees:

  • Hộ Viện: Finance
  • Lương Viện: Food supply
  • Công Viện: Construction and maintenance

  Phái Thượng oversees:

  • Học Viện: Education
  • Y Viện: Healthcare
  • Nông Viện: Food production for those who dedicate themselves fully to the Dao (Faith)

  Phái Ngọc oversees:

  • Hòa Viện: Mediation and reconciliation
  • Lại Viện: Literature, records, and honors
  • Lễ Viện: Rituals and ceremonies

•  2. Propagation and Salvation (Phổ Tế)

  This is the missionary office, guiding beings to follow the Dao (Faith) and evolve toward complete goodness. Those who carry out propagation must possess strong spiritual capacity to help others awaken and reform.

  To do so, the propagators must cultivate themselves, consult the teachings and philosophies of East and West, past and present, to find a path of liberation that matches the level of the beings they serve, integrating both worldly engagement and spiritual transcendence.

  The mission of salvation is expressed in the following couplet:

  “Phổ hoá chúng sanh cải ác tùng lương qui đại đạo,
  Tế nguy vạn loại khử tà tôn chánh hiệp tam kỳ.”
  
  
  

  Meaning:

  Educate all beings, reform them from wrongdoing, and guide them toward goodness, returning them to the Great Way.
  Save all creatures from peril, eliminate all falsehood, and uphold what is righteous, in harmony with Cao Đài.