Question 91: The Place of Worship for Đức Phật Mẫu  

Đức Phật Mẫu is temporarily enshrined at Báo Ân Từ, Tây Ninh.

The main sanctuary (Chánh điện) lies in the central hall of Báo Ân Từ. On the wall partitioning the main hall and the rear hall, sculpted statues of Đức Phật Mẫu, the Cửu Vị Tiên Nương, and the Tiên Đồng Nữ Nhạc are arranged, seated upon the back of a phoenix bird, in a posture of descending gracefully.

The statue of Đức Phật Mẫu sits at the center, clothed in yellow robes, holding the jade Ruyi scepter.

Beneath these statues stands the figure of Đông Phương Sóc, upright, holding a tray above his head to receive the peach of immortality granted by Đức Phật Mẫu to Hớn Võ Đế.

In the courtyard of Hoa Điện, there is a statue of Đức Cao Thượng Phẩm, dressed in white robes, holding the Long Tu Fan, kneeling and gazing up toward the palace to welcome Đức Phật Mẫu.

On the altar, spirit plaques (Long vị) are placed vertically in large classical Chinese characters:

The altar is arranged with flowers, fruits, wine, tea, lamps, and incense. Notably, there is no Tai Chi lamp, only Vọng lamps hung in front of the altar.

There are two incense burners:

• The upper burner holds five incense sticks, dedicated to Đức Phật Mẫu.
• The lower burner holds nine incense sticks, arranged in three rows, dedicated to the Cửu Vị Tiên Nương.

The main enclosure (lồng căn) contains:

• Enclosure #1: Altar of Đức Phật Mẫu.
• Enclosure #2: On each side, three censers with yellow, green, and red candles, in order from inside out.
• Enclosure #3: On each side, a set of eight ancient weapons, with two staffs placed at the ends.

Between the columns separating enclosures #2 and #3, there is a small altar table (Bàn Hương án) for Internal Offerings (Nội Nghi), with flower vases, fruit plates, incense burner, paired lamps, and an incense burner with three sticks dedicated to Đức Phật Mẫu.

Outside it, there is another burner with nine incense sticks for the Cửu Vị Nữ Phật. On the sides, two small seats hold a bell and a wooden percussion block so that choirs may chant the Di Lạc Chơn Kinh after the Dậu-time offering.

Therefore, the Internal Offering table is also called the Scripture Table (Bàn Kinh).

Beyond the Internal Offering table, there is an External Offering table (Bàn Hội Đồng), situated between the columns of enclosures #6 and #7, used for offerings to the spirits of the Đại Thiên of Hiệp Thiên and Cửu Trùng, when they attend ceremonies honoring Đức Phật Mẫu.

This table holds flowers, fruits, lamps, wine, tea, paired lamps, and an incense burner with three sticks.

At the end of enclosure #8, there is a table called the Altar of Attendants (Bàn Lễ Sĩ), empty of any offerings, where the attendants prepare the Three Jewels (Tam Bửu): flowers, wine, and tea daily.

During Grand Ceremonies (Đại đàn), the choir does not sit here, but on the first floor.

Beside the choir table, on the female side, there is a percussion instrument (Kiểng). Behind the choir table is a partition with a large white frame, symbolizing Khí Sanh Quang.

Instructions from Đức Hộ Pháp:

"After offering, bow once, just as in the Holy See. Understand that this bow is not to the Hộ Pháp, but a bow to honor Khí Sanh Quang, the source of the Law generating all beings: first, the Three Refuges (Phật Pháp Tăng), then from the Law arises Phật Mẫu, next all souls, all beings, and so on.

The secret of Diêu Trì Cung is closely linked to Hiệp Thiên Đài (a fundamental Law) in the circulation of primal energy.

Wherever there is Hiệp Thiên Đài, the Three Refuges naturally operate within the Law. Although this place does not enshrine the character KHÍ, we bow out of faith, gratitude, and respect for the life force."

In the male side hall, corresponding to the statue of Đức Phật Mẫu, there is a large memorial plaque (khánh thờ) with the vertical Chinese inscription: CHƯ CHƠN LINH NAM PHÁI

Above are two small characters: CUNG PHỤNG, and below: TỌA VỊ.

Beneath the inscription is a spirit plaque (Long vị) reading: TỊCH BỘ HỮU CÔNG, dedicated to male dignitaries who rendered great service to the Đạo.

The female side is arranged symmetrically, with the inscription on the memorial plaque reading: CHƯ CHƠN LINH NỮ PHÁI