DIVINE PATH TO ETERNAL LIFE

Sermons by His Holiness Phạm Công Tắc

Recorded and compiled by the shorthand committee in Tây Ninh

Translated by Đào Công Tâm & Professor Christ Hartney

TABLE OF CONTENT

Foreword

Introduction

1. What is the Divine Path to Eternal Life; There are three methods to create a Divine Position (Link)

2. The Realm of Thế Thiên Hành Hóa (Link)

3. The Form of the Bát Quái Đài and The Sea of Suffering (Link)

4. The Distance between the Sea of Suffering and the Bát Quái Đài and the Ô-Trì Pond (Link)

5. The Paradise of Extreme Joy and the Image of the Divine Mother (Link)

6. The Power of the Divine Mother who looks to us like our own Mother (Link)

7. The Ngân Hà River And the Panna/Prajna Boat of Quan Yin (Link)

8. The Secrets and Mysteries of the Bát Quái Đài; and the Evolution of the Eight levels of Souls (Link)

9. The Dragon Flower Assembly where Positions will be decided for Souls (Link)

10. The Essential, Secret Philosophy of the Religion and the Perispirit (Link)

11. The True Happiness of Human Beings & How to Conquer Suffering (Link)

12. The Religious Power of Protecting the Souls of Human Beings (Link)

13. The Governing Power of the Ngọc Hư Cung & The Teaching Role of the Paradise of Extreme Joy (Link)

14. The Methods of Spiritual Cultivation differ among the Five Branches, but they all have the Same Aim: to Free Humanity from Suffering (Link)

15. The Dharma of Altruism and Selflessness for a Public Life against Private Aims (Link)

16. The Law of Love and the Right of Justice will lead Humanity to Union through Belief (Link)

17. The Power of the Law of Love; The Dharma of Justice; and the Agreement between the Supreme Being and Humanity (Link)

18. The True Happiness of Humanity (Link)

19. The Supreme Being Created the Cao Đài religion in order to Create Happiness for All Human Beings and Peace for this 68th Planet (Link)

20. The Image of the Divine Mother on the Earth is the Image of Shiva; The Divine Extended Family of Each Soul will reunite at the Cung Diêu Trì (Link)

21. The Secrets inherent in what we have done, what we are doing, and what we must do: The relation between Angel and Animal in each of us (Link)

22. The Philosophy of Civilization (Link)

23. The Path to the Eternal Life has no limits (Link)

24. Our sins are recorded by our own Spirit. Therefore, there is no way we can deny them. (Link)

25. The Phục-Linh Realm where we find our Extended Divine Family (Link)

26. The Method of Governing the Universe Lies in How We Govern Ourselves (Link)

27. The Secret Dharma that Liberates the Self (Link)

28. Linh-Tiêu- Điện (Ngọc Hư Cung) and the Governing Body of the Supreme Being (Link)

29. The Difference between the Process of Rising in Heaven, and the Process of Falling into Dark Realms (Link)

30. The Paradise of Extreme Joy - where we are Temporarily Liberated, but this is not the Ultimate Realm for Souls (Link)

31. The Supreme Being preserves for us Our Extended Divine Family (Link)

32. What is a Drop of Holy Water? What is the True Physiognomy of Nirvana? What is the True Physiognomy of the Paradise of Extreme Joy? (Link)

33. Many practice the Way but Few attain Liberation, because the Path to the Paradise of Extreme Joy is blocked by Lucifer (Link)

34. The Hổn-Ngươn Thượng Thiên Realm where the Great and Merciful Father appears (Link)

35. Lôi Âm Temple where the Amitabha Buddha reigns (Link)

Foreword

This series of thirty five sermons, delivered by His Holiness Hộ-Pháp Phạm Công Tắc, is entitled “the Divine Path to Eternal Life/ Con Đường Thiêng Liêng Hằng Sống”.

The Divine Path to Eternal Life explains the path of evolution for all living beings. It is a path of reincarnation.

Throughout the thirty five sermons, His Holiness Hộ-Pháp Phạm Công Tắc guides his audience to travel towards the Divine Realms and begin to comprehend the mysteries of the subtle soul.

Along the way, he explains how those intellectual souls who lack faith in the religions of the world can break free from the prisons of their thinking. It shows how they can seek and understand the profound nature of the invisible and the higher worlds. It shows how we can all better understand The Divine Law.

Indeed, these sermons make for an essential guidebook for all souls, especially those who feel it is time to become interested about life on the other side of that ‘reality’ we think we know. It is a vital text for those who would like to reach heaven. In the following sermons, His Holiness takes us on a spiritual journey through life and death. This text will inevitably spark the interest of all students in universal Truths and for all seekers of the Tao.

Translators’ Note:

The following translation is a work in progress. We have encountered a range of difficulties in placing highly technical Vietnamese religious terms into appropriately descriptive English terms. And in certain cases, we had to translate for sense rather than literal meaning. Nevertheless, through continued study of the text and readers feedback, we hope to continue improving the following translations of one of Caodaism’s most important scriptures.

Explanatory Introduction by Trần Văn Rạng

The book The Divine Path to Eternal Life/ Con Đường Thiêng Liêng Hằng Sống is a holy scripture which is equally hard to read and to understand. This is because the sermons that make up this book discuss stories derived from the realm of heaven. Stenographers and auditors stood by to listen to these sermons, but only a few of them were spiritually awake (satori) to the esoteric depths of the following verbal cultivation. There were also other difficulties which can be divided into three categories; the level of spiritual cultivation, time, and terminology.

The level of spiritual cultivation: in the Cao Đài Religion there is a school of five levels, these levels are: The Way of Humanity (Nhơn Đạo), The Way of Geniism (Thần Đạo), The Way of Saints (Thánh Đạo), The Way of Immortals (Tiên Đạo) and The Way of Buddhas (Phật Đạo). The Stenographers and the general audience of believers were only at the level of Geniism (that is, on an earthly plane), and this made it difficult for them to really comprehend this higher process of cultivation? The Dignitaries of the Religion who were present and practicing the Way of Cửu Phẩm Thần Tiên (Those in the Executive Body of the Religion) did not yet understand the profound nature of various terminologies of the higher realm.

The stenographers * used their own words to record the ideas of our master. In this way there are occasions when the writer could not see the principals of the speaker clearly because the philosophy being expounded went quite beyond their level of understanding. The book Con Đường Thiêng Liêng Hằng Sống still has not yet been comprehensively checked by His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc. Therefore, there must remain some uncertainty about the text as we currently have it.

Let us consider the period of time over which the sermons have been given. His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc began preaching this cycle of sermons on the night of 13th of the 8thmonth year of the Mouse (16 September 1948) and continued through to the 27rd April 1949 (Lunar Calendar 30th Day of the 3rd month, year of the Buffalo). If you count it through this is a little more than seven months. This period of time is shorter than an academic year, so how can we speak of the matter of cultivation?

Terminology and repetition. Various philosophies and theologies all have their own terms that enable concepts to be well described. If one does not understand these terms completely, one can easily misunderstand the terms or confuse one term with another.

Moreover, sermons by His Holiness are often related to the invisible realm. One example is when he spoke about the Tạo Hóa Thiên (Heaven of Creation) which he linked to the Diêu Trì Cung (the Heaven of Creation under the Mother Goddess; A palace at the Precious Jewel Lake). The Diêu Trì Cung is a heaven of the Cửu Thiên Huyền Nữ (Buddha Mother) - it is the ninth of these heavens.

The terms which are often repeated in this book include the Ngọc Hư Cung (which belongs to the Hư Vô Heaven). This is the Heavenly Council of the Eternal Law which controls and maintains the Divine Law. It also controls the progress and movement of the universe. Other terms include the Divine White Jade Palace (The Court of God/The Council of God.), Diêu Trì Cung (the Heaven of Creation under the Mother Goddess. A palace at the Precious Jewel Lake), The Bát Quái Đài (the Council of the Great Spirits which head the Eight States of the Soul. It is also the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, or the Eight Trigrams Palace). At the Ngọc Hư Cung, the head is the Nam Tào & Bắc Đẩu (Nam Tào & Bắc Đẩu are the two Immortals who oversee the registration of the birth and death of human beings on Earth (Nam Tào who is in charge the registration of birth and Bắc Đẩu who is in charge the registration of death.). Indeed, the Ngọc Hư Cung and the Linh Tiêu Điện (The Court of God. The palace where the Supreme Being holds meetings with the Heavenly Council) is the palace where the Supreme Being overseas the cosmos. Nam Tào & Bắc Đẩu (according to earthly treatises) are only caretakers of this palace. Their residence is the Ngọc Hư Cung, but the place where they exercise their dharma is the northern and southern hemispheres. Another example is the Holy Mother whose residence is the Diêu Trì Cung, yet the place where She exercises her Dharma is the Heaven of Creation (Tạo Hoá Thiên). If we understand these things clearly then they are deeply fascinating and the book presents no difficulties to us.

In the book The Divine Path to Eternal Life, there are 30 (out of 35) sermons that deal specifically with the journey to the otherworld. These are divided into two parts; the Earthly World and the Realm of Heaven.

1. Concerning the earthly world there are only two sermons. They start from the time that the believers walk in the footsteps of the Hiệp Thiên Đài (this literally means the Temple of the Divine Alliance, The Heavenly-Union Palace. It is the Legislative Body of the Religion which has the duty of communicating with the occult/esoteric power to receive divine messages. It also preserves the religious laws and hears the complaints of the discontented in order to symbolize equality in the Religion.) and head towards the Cửu Trùng Đài (this literally means the nine-level palace. The Executive Body of Caodaism which takes charge of the administration of the Religion and its missionary activities. It also refers to the Temple of Nine Degrees of Evolution or Nine-level Palace.  -九 重 臺, The Path of Nine Divine Planes, or the Palace of nine degrees of evolution. The Episcopal Hierarchy of Nine Degrees) and proceed towards the Cung Đạo (The Religious Palace, this palace is called the Cung Thánh [The Holy Palace] in the book) and on to the Bát Quái Đài (the Council of the Great Spirits which head the Eight States of the Soul. It is also the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, or the Eight Trigrams Palace). Here, His Holiness relates the invisible world of the Bát Quái Đài and the realms of the heavens (see sermon number four).

2. The realm of the heavens or the realm of the eternal life. His Holiness did not explain the heavenly realms according to the nine phases of prayers in the Caodaist burial rituals. Instead, he only highlighted the vital points for the path of cultivation.

The starting point for the journey is the Cung Thế Thiên Hành Hoá  (The Palace for those Divine Beings who missionise the Way at the Command of Heaven) and over the Bích Hải  (The sea of suffering, the ocean of human pain) bridge between the realm of the Earthly World and the Realm of the Heavens.

The realm of the Hiệp Thiên Hành Hoá is where the three Lords of the Earth implement their duties. These are Ly Thái Bạch / Li Po/Li Tai Pei (Tai Bai Jin Xing; Thái Bạch Kim Tinh), Quan Âm / Kuan Yin (Guan Yin Ru Lai; Quan Âm Như Lai), and Kuan Kung/Guan Gong (Guan Sheng Di Jun; Quan Thánh Đế Quân) (see sermon number eight).

The realm of Tạo Hoá Thiên, here His Holiness relates the invisible realm with that of the Diêu Trì Cung and the Ngọc Hư Cung.

The realm of Phục Linh (to resuscitate your former lives for your soul to examine them) is only part of the realm of Hổn Ngươn. If we reread the Maitreya Sutra, we will see the Phục Linh Buddha (The Buddha who holds the Kim Câu or golden and mystical mitre which He uses to manifest each of our former lives and we see them resurrected in front of us. Every time he waves this staff we see another life, eventually we see every life we have been.) The name of the Buddha at the seventh heaven is not named, but this is the name of its position, for example the Thủ Luân Buddha, Chưởng Hậu Buddha and so on...

The realm of Hổn Ngươn is the ninth heaven where there are; Diêu Trì Cung, Ngọc Hư Cung, Linh Tiêu Điện, Bạch Ngọc Kinh (The Divine White Jade Palace). And further along on the right side is Nirvana and Lôi Âm Tự (Temple of Thunder in the Paradise of Extreme Joy)

To avoid complications when desiring your progress on the Divine Path to Eternal Life or getting used to this Divine Path which leads to the heavens, please read the poems which summarise the sermons in a 6-8 syllable verse. After this, you can read, one-by-one, the sermons.

I wish my co-believers peace in their hearts so they can enter the Path of Eternal Life.

Trần Văn Rạng

(A Disciple of the White Cloud Lodge)

(* Translators notes – interviews with Stenographers reveal that they were charged with writing verbatim what the Hộ Pháp spoke and held back from writing the sermons in their own words.)

1.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 16 September 1948
(Lunar Calendar 13th Day of the 8th month, year of the Mouse)

What is the Divine Path to Eternal Life; There are three methods to create a Divine Position.

Tonight Bần Đạo (The Hộ Pháp refers to himself throughout as 'Bần Đạo' or 'poor monk') comes to preach to you, so please sit and try to listen.

From tonight, I would like to speak to you about the most important of topics. I need to address this issue over several nights in order to explain it comprehensively. Therefore, every fourth night I will come here and talk on this subject. I am doing this to make an essential and precious gift for the children of Đức Cao Đài (God, the Supreme Being) - a cherished secret for them to keep at hand. With this you may, one day, find out how to attain the Way.

Tonight’s topic is: the Divine Path to Eternal Life/ Con Đường Thiêng Liêng Hằng Sống.

What is this “Divine Path”? If our understanding is based on the true dharma of Đức Cao Đài, the “Divine Path to Eternal Life” is that path reserved for true souls to travel after they have left their physical bodies. By this path they make their way back towards the “Ultimate.” These true souls shall return to their spiritual domain, rising higher, or falling lower as their previous life’s merit dictates. If we wish to understand this path according to the Way of the Buddha, then the Divine Path to Eternal Life is known as the path of reincarnation.

This is a very difficult topic to speak about. If all the Children of Đức Cao Đài were to understand this path completely, a massive book would need to be written. Such a tome would comprise several thousand pages!

Therefore, Children of the Ultimate Being, you must try to listen. You must come here, pray, and make offerings (i.e. at the Great Divine Temple) then afterwards come and listen to these words. In the future you will not regret that you came. Nor should you complain in the future that I did not let you know in advance of the revelations of Đạo Cao Đài / Cao- Đài Religion. Only in Caodaism can the profoundest and loftiest of all the philosophies be unveiled.

(It is by the special grace of Đức Cao Đài, for our religion today, that there are a few young men available who have tried to learn shorthand so that they can write down these words as they are being preached).

Remember! These words are not the words of a Phạm Công Tắc, they are the words of the Hộ Pháp (Protector of the Dharma). The Hộ Pháp is speaking on behalf of Đức Cao Đài, so this is a message that the children of God must hear. That is why these words are so very precious.

I am extremely fortunate to have been selected by Đức Cao Đài as his Ngự Mã Quân/ Ambassador (Translators note - "Ngự Mã Quân" was one official who accompanied the Emperor - it has relevance to Confucian Philosophy). On behalf of Him, I am working to form the True Religion - this Cao Đài Religion - the religion that will replace all the religions that have ever been. The religions of today are no longer adequate in terms of human thought and consciousness. In other words, their paths of progress have been closed off.

Do you remember some time ago when the Supreme Being/ Đức Chí Tôn (literally 'the most high' another term for 'Đức Cao Đài') selected Bần Đạo for the position of Hộ Pháp? He taught Bần Đạo how to be a medium and how to develop automatic writing (chấp bút), especially the “chấp bút." With the “chấp bút" Bần Đạo was taught by the Supreme Being how to meditate. This higher meditation was slowly revealed to me (nhập tịnh or mystic meditation, internal alchemy, [Chinese: nei tan]). This mystical meditation is not easy - a simple mistake or omission can ruin your whole life. Under-practising "nhập tịnh" could leave you sleepy and nodding; over-practise could leave you mentally disturbed. When you practise correctly, you need the Divine Beings on hand to help open your “huệ quang khiếu” (celestial eye, sky door, crown chakra, pineal eye). When this happens your perispirit can exit its physical domain (xuất hồn). The path upon which your spirit returns home to the Supreme Being - this is the 'Divine Path of Eternal Life'. Bần Đạo's Celestial Eye was opened by the Supreme Being, this allows me to meet with the Supreme Being and learn many secret and essential things from Heaven.

Today Bần Đạo is preaching about the Divine Path of Eternal Life, I would like to guide all the souls of the children of God back to Him by the very form of the teaching you are now listening to.

The Path that takes you back to heaven is not an easy path to travel, and your return will not be instant. As we desire to travel home to Đức Cao Đài, we must pass through many temples, and many palaces. In each temple, we will be confronted by strange things. In each palace, we will face a different mystery. Yet we must struggle to understand them and pass beyond them. Only by desiring spiritual evolution can we progress along this Path to the Eternal - and return home to the Supreme Being! There is no happiness equal to this.

Even after a lifetime of cultivating the way, there is no guarantee that a soul will return. Over ten thousand years and a thousand lives, if a soul never cultivates the Way it can never return. Brothers and Sisters, you must try to remember this. What is cultivation? You have been given guidance on this. Bần Đạo has already spoken of it a great deal. You must uphold the virtues (Lập Đức), participate in public works (Lập Công) and speak the words of the Great Way (Lập Ngôn).

Now I return to the topic of how we can, by desiring spiritual evolution, progress along the Divine Path to Eternal Life. A little while ago I mentioned that, by the special grace of the Supreme Being, I was granted the favour of an audience with Đức Cao Đài. Before this audience I was able to meet the Divine Beings in the realm of Eternal Life.

From tonight Bần Đạo is not really teaching you, I am only recounting what I have seen, heard and learnt when meeting the Divine Beings in the Divine Realms. It is also a way of allowing the children of the Supreme Being to visualise the Divine Realms in advance, and saving your soul from confusion in the event of your return.

As Bần Đạo talks, the Children of God must listen and imagine that you have a guide. Where ever you go the guide will explain the scene to you. For example, when a foreigner comes to Vietnam, the visitor is provided with a guide to help explain the scenery.

Each soul on this planet, when leaving the physical body, must gather here at this Great Divine Temple, you must go from inside this building in order to reach other realms. Why must you enter this Great Divine Temple and not other temples? This Great Temple is a great examination centre. Just as every year the Government holds the baccalaureate, the location has already been decided. You must come here if you want to be qualified or valued.  It is this Great Divine Temple that Đức Cao Đài has established for His children to "lập công", "lập đức," "lập ngôn" and prove worthy of their return.

To enter the Great Divine Temple means entering the Hiệp-Thiên Đài (the Temple of the Divine Alliance, The Heavenly-Union Palace) and moving from there to the Cung Đạo/ Religious Palace. In order to reach the Cung Đạo, you must make your way along the Cửu Trùng Đài (The Temple of Nine Degrees of Evolution, Nine-level Palace). At each of the nine levels of the Cửu Trùng Đài, your soul will be confronted and tested by the Divine Beings. Also, on each step, one of the Nine Female Buddhas/ Cửu Vị Nữ Phật will appear to offer mercy and guide the soul who begs for salvation. If you are not sure, Children of the Supreme Being, read again the prayers from the Đệ Nhứt Cửu Prayer (chanted nine days after death) then read all the prayers until the Đệ Cửu Cửu Prayer (the last prayer in a cycle of nine prayer days which take place once every nine days), and Tiểu Tường Prayer (said 281 days after death) to Đại Tường Prayers (said 581 days after death).

In the Cao-Đài Religion there are three methods of returning to the Supreme Being, and gaining a position in the Divine hierarchy.

The first method - is for the soul to manifest inside a physical body that must follow the hierarchy of the Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa (the Masters, Divine Beings of the nine heavens), - or the Sacerdotal Council of the Cửu Trùng Đài. This method requires you to use your talents and abilities to contribute to the Religion (and thus to humanity) as a path to attain the Way. This path leads from a Đạo Hữu (normal believer), to Lễ Sanh (Student-Priest), and from Giáo Hữu (Priest) to Giáo Sư (Bishop) and so on. On this path, you must serve from Tiểu Thừa (novitiate) to Trung Thừa (intermediate), and then to Đại Thừa (superior). These categories include practising vegetarianism from six days a month to ten days a month, and then full time respectively. One must cultivate the way firstly within oneself, then within the family and the country, and finally for all humanity. When you follow the hierarchy of Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa, your soul must have confidence in its own spiritual direction so that you can lead others towards their salvation. This is what makes the Cao-Đài Religion different from others. You must save yourself, your family, people outside your family, and all humanity. One must study in order to understand the Way. When you understand, you must teach your family, but not just your family, you must teach the whole of humanity. One studies in order to understand the Way (i.e. lập đức), to teach the Way to one's family (i.e. lập ngôn), and to save the whole of humanity (i.e. lập công). These three duties must be fulfilled in order for one to return to the Supreme Being along the path of the Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa (the Masters, Divine Beings of the nine heavens).

The second method - To gain a place in the spiritual hierarchy by following the Thập Nhị Đẳng Cấp Thiêng Liêng/ Twelve Spiritual Levels means that you must follow the Hội-Thánh Phước-Thiện/ Charity Body. Here, besides practising a vegetarian diet, following the religious laws, and also the true teachings of God the Father, one must use virtue to rise to a position.

In order to lập đức, one must start and serve from Minh Ðức, Tân Dân, Thính Thiện, Hành Thiện, Giáo Thiện, Chí Thiện, Ðạo Nhơn, Chơn Nhơn, Hiền Nhơn, Thánh Nhơn, Tiên Tử, Phật Tử (Translators note: there are twelve ranks within the Charity Body).

What is lập đức? It is using love to save humanity, as God said "love is the key that opens the door of the Jade Palace/ Bạch Ngọc Kinh."

Souls incarnate through life on this planet over the turbulent waves of sufferings that the Buddha spoke of in the Four Noble Truths. In order to escape from suffering, one must first endure suffering. By enduring suffering, one can triumph over it. One who follows the Thập Nhị Ðẳng Cấp Thiêng Liêng/ Twelve Spiritual Levels shows others how to endure suffering in order to triumph over it. To show people how to endure suffering, firstly we must endure suffering ourself. When you want to endure suffering, there is nothing better than by using the virtue of love: therefore, the first level of the twelve spiritual levels is Minh Ðức. (“Minh Ðức” is literally “Bright Virtue”).

Love enables one to endure suffering. Loving your parents means that you must suffer as you serve and protect them in their old age. Loving your children means that you must work hard to take care of them as they grow. Loving the disabled and the destitute means trying to find a way to help them. Finding this way also means suffering.

To endure suffering allows you to overcome it; but not just for one day, you must do this right to the end. For example, you must look after your parents throughout their old age, and your children until they grow up. Yet these two things are easy when compared to the task of helping the whole community. When you look after the whole community, suffering never stops. When you are finished taking care of one person, there are always others that you must deal with. This continues until the end of your life. By doing this, one can overcome suffering, and in doing this you will be able to return to the Supreme Being by way of the Thập Nhị Ðẳng Cấp Thiêng Liêng / Twelve Spiritual Levels.

The third method – Tu Chơn or Tịnh Luyện styles of meditation comprise the third method. If those who have followed the path of Cửu Phẩm Thần Tiên (the nine spiritual levels) or the path of Thập Nhị Ðẳng Cấp Thiêng Liêng/ Twelve Spiritual Levels, i.e. they have fulfilled lập đức, lập công, lập ngôn, feel that they have already endured and overcome suffering, and still able to progress in their spiritual quest, they can enter a meditation centre for the practise of mystical meditation. At the meditation centre, adepts will learn the method of: - refine the essence and convert it into energy (luyện tinh hoá khí / lian jing hua qi), - purify energy and convert it into spirit (luyện khí hoá thần / lian qi hua shen), - refine the spirit and return it to nothingness (luyện thần hườn hư/ lian shen huan xu). – [translator’s note: then finally forsake the nothingness (fen sui xu kong/ luyện hư hườn không). This is the unity of the three treasures (tinh khí thần hiệp nhất, that is, returning to the void).

Now we return to our discussion of the Divine Path to Eternal Life. When we pass through the Cửu Trùng Đài and enter the Cung Đạo, suddenly we look up, and no longer see the Bát Quái Đài (the Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace), but the vast sea, which is so great. It is unimaginable. At this point, we begin to walk the Divine Path to Eternal Life.

If you follow the path of Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa or the Thập Nhị Ðẳng Cấp Thiêng Liêng, you will wait to the end of your life before returning to God the Father and return with both your perispirit and your soul. However, today we can travel back to the Supreme Being by the perispirit (chơn thần) by a special favour of Đức Cao Đài, Bần Đạo has been permitted to travel by this shorter way.

We look up to see a vast sea, but in fact this is the sky of the universe, and there in the distance, sometimes visible, sometimes not, you can see a magnificent and beautiful palace. The moment you see it you want to rush toward it. But you realise that you don't know how to move, it is then that you realise that your astral body (Pháp Thân/ Dharmakaya) is attracted to this palace by an incredible force. You do not propel yourself yet you come, you move fast as though flying in an aeroplane.

When you arrive you see innumerable beings, human beings, coming and going, there are too many to count. The crowd is silent, and very ordered. This realm is called the Cung Thánh, that is, the place where souls leave the spiritual realm (for reincarnation). It is also the place where souls are welcomed back after they have left their physical body.

It looks like an airport or a railway station; people are coming and going in masses. Leaving is sad, coming home joyful; but the face of each soul, whether they are coming or going, carries the strain of a common worry. Leavers are worried, wondering if they can fulfil the duties assigned to them by Đức Cao Đài. Those coming home are also worried about whether they have retained or lost their position in the hierarchy of the spiritual realm. They worry too much, so much worry, everybody is worried.

Next time, Bần Đạo will preach on the subjects of the Cung Thánh and the Cung Thừa Thiên Hành Hóa.

Bạch Ngọc Kinh - Jade Palace.

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Bần Đạo - His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc refers to himself throughout as 'Bần Đạo' or 'poor monk'.

Chấp bút. - automatic writing -

Con Đường Thiêng Liêng Hằng Sống - the Divine Path to Eternal Life.

Cung Đạo - Religious Palace.

Cửu Trùng Đài - The Temple of Nine Degrees of Evolution, Nine-level Palace.

Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa - the Masters, Divine Beings of the Nine Heavens.

Cửu Vị Nữ Phật - Nine Female Buddhas

Đạo Cao Đài - Cao-Đài Religion.

Đức Cao Đài - God, the Supreme Being.

Đức Chí Tôn - the Supreme Being.

Hiệp-Thiên Đài - The Temple of the Divine Alliance, The Heavenly-Union Palace.

Hộ Pháp - is the one who unveils the Mystery of the Invisible and is the Maintainer of the Rules and laws of the New Religion/ Cao-Đài Religion. He is the one who pronounces judgments on the dignitaries and disciples, elevates the dignity of the adepts through their merit and brings sanctions against those who have committed faults. He is actively involved in assuring that the religious Rules and Laws which have become Divine Laws are carried out in detail, in order to keep the dignitaries and adepts free of the sufferings inflicted by the Lords of Karma.

In so acting, he watches over the positive progress of the disciples in the Way of God, and guides all evolved souls to achieve the Divine Phase of the Great Spirits. He holds control over the Legislative Power both exoterically and esoterically.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Huệ quang khiếu - celestial eye, sky door, crown chakra, pineal eye

Lập Công - doing good work, contribution.

Lập Đức - upholding the virtues.

Lập Ngôn - speaking the words of the Great Way.

Ngự Mã Quân - was one official who accompanied the Emperor - it has relevance to Confucian Philosophy, God’s ambassador

Nhập tịnh - mystic meditation, internal alchemy, [Chinese: nei tan]

Pháp Thân – Dharmakaya

2.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 21 September 1948
(Lunar Calendar 18th Day of the 8th month, year of the Mouse)

The Realm of Thế Thiên Hành Hóa

The last time we spoke Bần Đạo promised that we should vigorously encourage each other in our progress upon this Path to Eternal Life. Previously, in our journey we arrived at the "Cung Thánh" (or realm of heavenly arrival and departure). Now we have understood generally about the way of human beings on this planet Earth. Today, I will take you, gentle friends, to enter the 'Cung Thừa Thiên Hành Hóa' (or Realm of Divine Beings who missionize the Way at the Command of Heaven). In this place, these Divine Beings assist and measure out the matter of the future. They do this from this earth right through to all the other planets. In this Realm, there is not one moment when these Divine Beings are not considering the human spirit at any level of the universe; from country to country. In this Realm, the highest priority is given by the Divine Beings to the planning and creation of schedules that decide who will go and who will return in order to offer salvation to the various worlds. This happens particularly in the Cung Thừa Thiên Hành Hóa. We understand that at no time do the Divine Beings forget to guide our destinies. We must maintain our desire to progress further along this path for now that we are at the 'Cung Hành Hóa' we come upon a way that is very long, narrow and quiet. There are very few souls who walk this way. This is because for a very long time, and right up to today, becoming an Immortal or a Buddha has been an extremely difficult task. From the time human beings became aware of their existence can we now see how the dharma can help human beings become Immortals or Buddhas? We would like to become Immortals or Buddhas, but how many years must we cultivate the Dao? We question why religions are not able to progress forward faster. We observe how religions help people attain Divine positions. Yet the Chinese and Japanese deification systems have been unable to help people, rather these systems leave them dissatisfied, and they continue in their cycles of samsara (rebirth). Most people can return to heaven, but it all depends on their karmic results. Not surprisingly, we can see that on this planet there are many people who show animosity towards religions.

Bần Đạo has set out these things in order to make this observation; we have to progress on an endless road, people might say that life is easy - but it is hard to keep to the Truth. Away from this chaos, we should consider some other sights.

Away from this, the path we take today will be very mysterious, peaceful and beautiful. Upon approaching the path, our body will feel very light, elevated, relaxed... On either side of us, as we walk, we see things of great wonder; they are so extra-ordinary that when you are reminded of the Earthly world, its inadequacies make you sad. But here, no other scenery can make you feel such ecstatic calmness. When we think about Immortals, we see them. Friends, do you know why it is like that? We think that sometimes our dreams are just dreams, that they are not the true story, but here they are, we think and it is real! Walking further we feel extreme joy, complete ecstasy.

We are moving towards the place where whole dharma realms can be made by us. Here your desires are mystically requited in unlimited qualities. Here we see the things we are not yet able to achieve, but you can see the faces of the Beings. They are not indifferent to us; rather, they are waiting to welcome us. We can see their faces, full of wisdom, gentleness and spiritual virtue; they have none of the characters of the earthly realms. The beauty of this apotheosis remains mysterious and limitless. Whatever they think beauty is, then so it is. Yet for us they still maintain their external appearance which is easy to look at; as we see that the pictures of the Eight Chinese Immortals (Bát Tiên) barely change over time so it is easy for people to recognise them. Because in that sublime heart of hearts which has given us a way of obtaining nature, we have seen an earthly realm not less than the universe which includes in it everything from the ancient times. I want to say that not only the Beings of this planet earth make friends with us, but also beings from other earths come to befriend us. Those beings came here from other planets and obtained sublime positions. As I have said, on this the 68th planet, there are many rebels with serious intent, and you will not find many children.

I have said while they are talking, over their heads nimbuses fly about in the sky. When they are talking here, they can communicate with other realms. As the entire Universe is so mysterious and limitless, we are unable to describe it. This is a position of Thế Thiên Hành Hóa (Creation on behalf of the Divine Being) which holds the power of creation and there is nothing that they cannot do.

Their power comes from the ancient times, they “tiền trảm hậu tấu” [ed - in the past an imperial officer may act if an emergency arises and report to the Emperor later]. Souls return and some of them flatter, but the Divine Beings are looking for souls who have spirit, energy, who strictly follow the rules, but with a mind capable of understanding esoteric mysteries. At the Cung Thế Thiên Hành Hóa where there are all kinds of scenes, we see there a situation that is full of Dharma, and there is no skill lacking in this place. We on this planet, if we want their assistance enough, will see them protecting us and we can survive without diminishing any of its constituent Dharma.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bát Tiên - Eight Immortals. They are:  Li Tie Guai/ Lý Thiết Quả, Han Zhong Li/ Hớn Chung Li, Lü Dong Bin/ Lữ Đồng Tân, Cao Guo Jiu/ Tào Quốc Cựu, Han Xiang Zi/ Hàn Tương Tử, He Xian Gu/ Hà Tiên Cô, Zhang Guo Lao/ Trương Quả Lão, and Lan Cai He/ Lâm Thể Hoà.

Cung Thánh - realm of heavenly arrival and departure.

Cung Thừa Thiên Hành Hóa - Realm of Divine Beings who missionize the Way at the Command of Heaven.

Dao - Đạo (Vietnamese), 道- Dao, Tao (Chinese), the Way.

3.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 10 October 1948
(Lunar Calendar 8th Day of the 9th Month, year of the Mouse)

The Form of the Bát Quái Đài and The Sea of Suffering

Tonight Bần Đạo will continue to speak about the Path to Eternal Life. We have already visited the Cung Thế Thiên Hành Hóa. Today, we will talk more about it.

We continue to see the extraordinary scenery, and the best of it will compose tonight's talk. This talk is directed principally at the Heavenly appointed hierarchy - those who make-up the core of the Holy Body (i.e. sacerdotal council) of the Supreme Being. We walk down this endless path unable to guess at how long we have been travelling. As we go on, (it is quite extraordinary) you go as if you are flying in a plane, you don’t know how, but this is how it is. This journey is wonderful, mysterious. Sitting on a mysterious vehicle of Dharma, you are in fact sitting on the sacred vehicle of the Supreme Being as it takes you towards the clear and brilliantly illuminated palace of Heaven. This palace has eight sides and is called the Bát Quái Đài. It is so magnificent we are unable to describe it with words because it is endlessly changing and reshaping itself; it has eight doors and looking out of these doors we can see everything (“Vạn-Linh and Vật-Loại” literally the “ten thousand beings” and “all material creation”). All the forms of the beings there can be seen; there are auras dancing around each of their forms. There are eight bridges leading into the eight sides of the Bát Quái Đài. Strangely, the bridges are not made by wood but by an eight arched rays of light. Underneath the bridge, we see Bích-Hải the waves of an ocean moving with the tides. Along the eight sides, you suddenly realise that there are beings coming and going, at the side we arrive at, we see that the largest number of these beings are humans.

Interestingly, the bridges are so mysterious that only those who are standing there are able to realise they are indeed entering the Bát Quái Đài. When we step upon the bridge, it is moving. It makes you feel weak and you are unable to walk. Your first urge is to go back. Although from your first step upon the bridge you feel weaker, everyone keep on walking.

At the halfway point, if you do not have the correct spiritual credentials or because of bad karma generated from our time on earth, you will fall through the bridge and into the Bích-Hải. As we fall, our minds pass immediately to how we were imbued with grace as we walked upon the bridge. But when you fall, your body becomes black, strange and ugly like the primordial forms of humanity. How pitiful! For we see many fall, those who lived and practised the Dao (Tao) with us, those who seemed to live in the arms of Đức Cao Đài/ The Supreme Being on earth - they also fall! We are lucky that we have the affinity to sit in our lofty position though we must watch our friends falling into the Bích-Hải. No matter how strong you are, you cannot help crying for them. This point is certain - it will never be incorrect - I say for sure that there is nothing that can escape this boundless law of dharma. Dignitaries! We look at each situation on this earth as our lesson. You must follow the Way to cultivate your hearts in order to make yourselves more perfect and thus a proper part of the Holy Body (Sacerdotal Council) of the Supreme Being. Do not dream that any single deed of our life on earth could be hidden from the omniscient power of the Supreme Being.

We need to be discerning and intelligent to be able to distinguish the good and bad merits that decide our divine destiny, tell me, what can be hidden from the Divine Law made by the Supreme Being?

Bần Đạo is lucky to see this situation: we are unable to judge the deeds of one person as good or others bad; we cannot know if this person will achieve a position, or if some others will not. Many things we see in this world are totally at odds with the law of the invisible and so we are unable to predict what might happen. I see a friend who is blessed by the Supreme Being, a special blessing for that friend, he has a close relative holding the important position as a Divine Being in the invisible realm - the Seventh Female Buddha/ Diêu Trì Cung Thất Nương; I say clearly that this is Vương Quang Kỳ, uncle of this Buddha. He opened the Dao (Tao/ Way), but did not really know what the Dao was. In following the right path of Đức Cao Đài, we should know that it is the duty of Đức Cao Đài (God) to decide his ideals. From all the deeds we have seen of Vương Quang Kỳ, we might say that he is following a perverted form of the religion.

Strangely, when Bần Đạo turned back, I saw many friends crying out and falling into the Bích-Hải, but Vương Quang Kỳ, carrying the ceremonial dress of a bishop on his shoulder and trailing his bishop's hat in his hand and wearing shorts! He was strolling in a carefree way and laughing to himself, yet he was walking with ease over the bridge and into the Bát Quái Đài.

So you know friends although the deeds of some people, in terms of what we see, look contrary to the teachings of God, we should know that if they have placed their full belief in God, we are unable to predict what will happen to them. Vương Quang Kỳ had a divine ceremonial dress, but he didn't even wear it. He only held it in his hand, but when he entered the Bát Quái Đài no power could stop him. We need to keep this lesson in our hearts, and refrain from being censorious.

Now and then, we have the duty to teach and to lead the members of the holy body of God, and we can use our authority to teach this in order to understand the body and soul (visible and invisible) of all the children of God. In conducting these duties, you have no right to be censorious. We are only members of the Holy Body of God. Do not be so full of vanity. Here at the door leading to the divine realm, we are substantial souls and with good affinity we can generate more souls. Thus, we have enough spiritual power to lead the children of God to return to the Way that was opened by Him. That is our duty.

Obligation, whenever it is truly understood as duty, is the realisation that you never completely own your own actions. It is not our own power, there is no reason to have the right to be proud of the duty you do, it is truer to say that at most you are a divine machine of God the Father. God's direct control is sometimes strong, sometimes weak. We should hold no pride in the fact that we can attain the Way. We have the right to be teachers or fathers of the children of God; we have no right to assume the role of punisher, to ask the children of God to be your vassals. Although we may have made a great contribution and attained lofty positions, we cannot disregard the souls who have been reincarnated back down on earth. If you, my friends, are unable to be impartial, then there is no escape from your sins. This is how we must conquer disorder.

The most distressing situation is that there are many people who arrive (at the Bát Quái Đài), knowing that they are unable to cross the stream to enlightenment, crying on the return; you can imagine why they need to reincarnate. They become human again to repay their bad karma.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Cung Thừa Thiên Hành Hóa - Palace of Divine Beings who missionize the Way at the Command of Heaven.

4.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 14th October 1948
(Lunar Calendar 12th Day of the 9th Month, Year of the Mouse)

The Distance between the Sea of Suffering and the Bát Quái Đài and the Ô-Trì Pond

Bần Đạo will now continue to preach about the Path to Eternal Life. Last time, we spoke about our arrival at the Bát Quái Đài. I think all of you still remember. At that time, I only preached the lesson of how we cross the Sea of Suffering (Khổ Hải) to the Bát Quái Đài.

Today, Bần Đạo will continue to speak of how we can step into the Bát Quái Đài by a way that is different from that which others have used to arrive. Those people are separated by a bridge from the Sea of Suffering and the Bát Quái Đài. The bridge does not permit them to cross and they must return. Their distress is indescribable. Stepping back, we see this happening right in front of us. We cannot stop crying. Looking at this scene, we suffer a great deal.

So, we must now search and discover what the Bát Quái Đài is.

Is it the tribunal of the Three Religions (Toà Tam Giáo) of the Supreme Being as the divine messages have said? Well now we can observe the situation. If we would like to arrive at the Bát Quái Đài, we must cross the "Ao Ô-Trì" / Ô-Trì Pond, we see the Bát Quái Đài emerge clearly in front of us. It looks like a column with eight doors. This column-palace of eight doors is guarded by a serpent with seven heads, which stand on duty by seven of the eight doors. They prevent any soul from entering the Bát Quái Đài. There is one door left unguarded, the Buddha door. The other seven doors are kept by the devils; nothing passes in or out. No power can pass. Look down! You see a vast ocean, the waters of which are blue, the waves raging. Every wave is marked by the term “khổ” (suffering). As we travel upon our nimbus, we see halos appear. These are very tough, they are inscribed with the terms “sanh” (birth), “lão” (age), “bịnh” (sickness), “tử” (death); each wave has its own term of “khổ”. Just as we feel suffering in our life, after seeing these waves we feel wrenching pains. There is so much suffering; on every wave we see suffering. The great oceans - you know how vast they are – well, the suffering is as great as they are.

If we ask the Supreme Being permission to enter this palace… - we know in advance that this is the tribunal of the Three Religions Ngọc Hư Cung - we understand first of all, if the Supreme Being lets us in, of course we do not have to walk over the bridge as the others must, the path by which we walk is different. We are thinking; the way Bần Đạo can lead you today, you just go, walking on the eternal path is different to any other, we are hastening along the holy path. Therefore, as we desire to arrive, we do so automatically.

The Supreme Being possesses the Bát Quái Đài completely. Now, when we are outside, we remember that we saw a vast area illuminated by the aura of the Divine and a palace with eight doors. However when you enter, the palace disappears, there is only the universe swirling around us. The palace is spinning around and around, but we know this is the Tribunal of The Three Religions. We do not see the content and the form of the palace inside. When we arrive, auras rise up like an intense flame.

This flame is not a real flame but the aura of the Divine, as we see it, it slowly starts to disappear. Then we see the Scale of Justice appear in front of our eyes, and just as slowly, it disappears. We see ourselves not so different from the audience standing in front of that palace. We see the whole of our previous life appear before us. No detail is kept hidden. Is it not surprising then that this place is called Minh Cảnh Đài (The Palace of Perfect Vision, a mirrored bar of one’s conscience) in the Buddhist sutras. This is how this palace functions; it is not simply a mirror. In front of us, we see what we have done, all is shown to us. It is like watching a film.

Whatever we have done in our previous life on this day we see it in front of us; and that scale is adjusted depending on our deeds and karma. Our bad karma, our good karma all appears and then a decision is made impartially; a decision that cannot be wrong. Can you see that this is the sacred operation of the Divine Court? Because the evidence is there in front of you, the scale of the Three Religions can never be wrong. Whatever in our lifetime we have done for the temporal and the spiritual, the Divine Law will not leave out any detail. If you really want to understand how the sacred law works, then on entering this Palace you will see. Those around us, whichever way they go, can not be seen, but upon enter this Palace they have the same form with each other and we are unable to distinguish them. The sacred power of this Palace gives it an exotic beauty, the aura of the Divine radiates all about; when we stood on the bridge we saw everyone mixed up together, ten times ten thousand people passed over. It is a wonderful thing that we see male become female, female become male and then all become formless. And now in the Palace there appears two shooting flames; and now whoever lacked love and did not love themselves or others, i.e. if they infringed the law of love, must become female. Females who fulfilled a lifetime of cultivation and practising the way of love become male. And there is one thing we should notice; we don’t know when these other beings leave the Palace. When they do, we don’t know which door they have left by. We only know the door by which we ourselves leave; we are unable to know the path of others. Whatever spiritual rank they attain, only they themselves know; becoming an Immortal or a Buddha is decided here. Upon becoming females, if such souls have accrued bad karma, they must be reincarnated.

Although according to the law they must reincarnate, they still have the right to remain. No power can obligate these souls to reincarnate immediately; they can remain in this Palace for 1200, 2400, up to 3000 years to enjoy the calmness. Whenever we know that we can reincarnate in order to teach and practise the Đạo, we will leave Nirvana and reincarnate. The day we decide to go, we do so for ourselves. The decision is not made by the Ngọc Hư Cung (Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of God). We have the right to make our own decisions only while we are in the spiritual realm, but after we gain a new physical form we have this right no longer. There are many spirits who go down for their whole life, but they are unable to achieve any progress towards the Dao and have to reincarnate again. Therefore we should say, according to the history of religions, that these faiths have focused on finding theories for human beings but these theories are not in line with the Divine truth at all. They make theories that distinguish the male and female, for example: 'We must follow the rule that male and female should not come too close together' (a Confucian saying). Religions create unjust laws in which the female must always suffer, and be of a lower status than the male.

The way of husband and wife in the earthly realm requires great care. When the husband returns to the Bát Quái Đài, he had better not maltreated his wife! If a wife fulfills her duty to her husband, then she will transform into a man and become our close friend. As we make mistakes with our friends, then one day our friends will challenge us with the complaint; “…when I went down to earth to live with you in sufferings, you never comforted me, you even disregarded me.” You will be unable to answer. You must accept the blame.

In this way, Buddhism gave women the same rights as men. I am sure that whenever we see on this earthly realm women who know how to remain in awe of and show respect for the law, they will be on the same par with male. When arriving at the Bát Quái Đài, your partner, your best friend in this life of suffering, may become male. If you mistreated, destroyed or did not lead your lives and live together, you would feel deep regret for not helping, and even disregarding them. There is no male or female up there. Heaven clearly points out that there are innumerable beings who are male but who reincarnate as female on this earthly realm. There are many superior spirits arriving at this Ngươn Tứ Chuyển (The Fourth Transition) in order to form true souls. They go down to transform the earthly realm. Whether one is male or female, they descend from the heavenly realms as females to guide races towards the transformation. The truth is that this invisible realm does not distinguish male or female. The Supreme Being said that male shall not dominate over female. Both are children of the Supreme Being.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Khổ Hải - The sea of suffering

Minh Cảnh Đài - The Palace of Perfect Vision, a mirror of one’s conscience

Ngọc Hư Cung - Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of

God

Ngươn Tứ Chuyển - The Fourth Transition

Toà Tam Giáo - The Three Religions Tribunal.

5.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 21st October 1948
(Lunar Calendar 19th Day of the 9th month, year of the Mouse)

The Paradise of Extreme Joy and the Image of the Divine Mother

Tonight, we should ask each other to make further progress on the Path to Eternal Life; previously Bần Đạo has accompanied you, my friends, to the Bát Quái Đài in the company of perverse souls (demons/ quỉ vị) and original souls alike. When we enter, we meet many friends who are very close to us, who love us. Upon leaving the Bát Quái Đài, our bodies are no longer dirty as before, we leave the seven elements that form our corporeal self. Walking past the Bát Quái Đài, on that sacred path Bần Đạo described clearly that there is no difference between male and female; our physical forms will also be destroyed by the mystery of this place, and we become a divine aura. Looking back, Bần Đạo confirm that this body is just like dust. We have not even the remnants of clothing; we pass into the aura of the divine which covers us. When we exit the Bát Quái Đài, we feel such joy that words cannot describe. Is that the place where we achieve our holy body? When we achieve our holy form, we look, as the Buddhists say, “like an Immortal.” When we leave the Bát Quái Đài, there is no one in that Realm who is not our friend. Soon those souls will be our relatives. In time, brothers and sisters you will experience three special joys, a three-fold special happiness which we can never have in the earthly realm. We walk and as we hasten further on this holy path, we realise it is a path upon which we must proceed. When we travel this Path, we see no one of evil intent in the Bát Quái Đài; whether we know them or not, no beings are unfamiliar to us - none of them are different to our kind. In the Bát Quái Đài, we are surrounded by our kinsfolks.

One thing we are most surprised by is the way in which our progression along the holy path allows us to meet beings who may have been indifferent to each other on earth but who now warmly welcome everyone they meet. After walking through the Bát Quái Đài, they will welcome us as though they were our kinsfolk; tears come to their eyes as they meet us. They will appear in front of us upon our wish. In that atmosphere of welcome, one's reception is so blissful and so gracious that it is beyond anything experienced on earth by even the greatest of monarchs.

We understand that the spiritual realm of Eternal Life is not only a place to welcome the Divine Beings but also a sacred realm. If we know how to practise the way and liberate ourselves from the karmic cycle, then we can attain our true spiritual self. There is one thing that we should not imagine - that they are jealous of us, how much honour they carry we too will bear the same, sharing it with them. When we pass beyond that Holy door, there is no jealousy and no one bears us any grudge. This realm is the realm where we enjoy our happiness together. We see that even animals have great affection for us. It is a love and high regard that is impossible to describe; as the birds, the animals, plant life, they all share a special affinity with us. Of all the handsome men and beautiful women on this earth, Bần Đạo can surely say that none of them compare with the spirits in this great and sacred realm. In this realm, there are none who are not beautiful. There is no need for make-up and fine clothing. Whatever you want, whatever comes into your mind, there it is. For example, whatever things of beauty you want they are presented to you, especially you girls - whatever you want it will be yours; a lifetime in this earthly realm is nothing but illusion. One other great thing is that if the poor of this world are able to attain Buddhahood/ Immortality then their happiness will be unbounded.

As we proceed further towards the blue sky, we find ourselves moving towards a Cloudy Cave (Vân Động), an unimaginably beautiful one. This great tunnel moves as though it has great affection for us.

We can see from afar a spiritual banner (cây phướn) flapping in the wind, radiating with the Divine Aura. You realise that this banner is very familiar; your affection for it is like that of seeing an old friend.

Those of you who once lived in Tây Ninh but may have left the country for a long time, but on the way home passing Trảng Bàng (a district outside Tây Ninh) and turning to see Núi Bà Đen (Black Lady Mountain) will see something very familiar, and your heart becomes awashed with memories. Bần Đạo states that our affection for this banner when we see it overwhelms us. Therefore, when we see it, we would like to run faster so that we can arrive as quickly as possible (as in Tây Ninh) in order to see the magnificent palace that is about to appear. The scene changes in unlimited ways, leaving us mesmerized. No drawing can capture it. As we move into this new scene, we see that there is no dirt or sand at our feet, but we are stepping upon the Divine Aura. Entering the palace, we see many souls who we have met lifetimes ago.

I need not speak about this as all of us can imagine what it will be like: we will meet our closest friends, and there is no shyness between males and females. There is no longer any hesitation; our love will be reborn deep from love. Even the love between blood brothers and sisters cannot compare with such a scene.

I have said that the law of love, as it appears, is not an inhumane one. Great love in this world makes is manifested in the great happiness, and can be understood by those who see. There is an unlimited power there that we do not have here. We shall never experience such feelings on earth. It is as if we lived in exile. When Bần Đạo returned to see this scene, I was so warmly received and with such deep emotions, for they were all cheerful and welcoming. In this realm, whatever we want will come to us immediately. If we want to see an old friend, he will be with us straight away. Remember my words so you will not have to regret. Husband and wife should learn to harmonize your views and minds. Otherwise, you will regret it.

One moment, please! Bần Đạo is unable to describe this scene because such love is even more wonderful and passionate. On earth, happiness is fleeting, and life is full of pains and sufferings. A life-time here may only last one hundred years, but up there life is eternal. When we arrive and enter the door, they will guide us further and we feel joy enter our bodies. It is not clear how this joy pervades our being, perhaps because of the credits we accumulate with our faith.

This Paradise of Extreme Joy - Bần Đạo cannot see any realm that is better than this. This is what the Buddha called Cực-Lạc Thế-Giới (Paradise of Extreme Joy).

As we pass inside, we see a throne, and in coming before this honourable seat we look up and see a Venerable Being. We can describe this Venerable Being as the Old Lady; if we think of a female immortal then we have before us a female immortal, if we want to see her as old then she is old, if we want to see her as young then so she is. It is very mysterious. When we are allowed to enter, we see our own mother!

A grandfather looks up and sees his mother; a grandchild looks up and also sees his mother. Our personal love will be directed towards this image of love. On earth, mothers often scold, unlike our heavenly Mother who is so full of love.

When we see Her, all our past love returns. It is indescribable. Even those who are hard hearted will be moved to tears upon seeing the noble love embodied in this great Mother. Bần Đạo assures you that there are many people who believe in the Way and understand the Way, but they do not know this. Even the Maitreya Buddha/ Đức Phật Di-Lạc who holds such a high and honourable position as the God of many heavens is still a child of his mother. This is a difficult thing to say. If you would like to know of the love of the mother for her child, look at the statue of the Buddha Mother. You can see how the Maitreya Buddha kneels behind Her in deep respect. Even without explanation of the relationship between the Buddha Mother and Maitreya Buddha, all of you can easily understand how high the power of the mother can be…

Even though Bần Đạo holds such a position in this religion, as a child I must still place filial piety first. Respect for our mothers should always come first.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Bần Đạo - His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc refers to himself throughout as 'Bần Đạo' or 'poor monk'.

Cây phướn – Spiritual banner.

Cực-Lạc Thế -Giới - Paradise of Extreme Joy, Kingdom of happiness.

Đức Phật Di-Lạc – The Maitreya Buddha

Quỉ vị - Perverse souls, demons.

Tạo Hóa Heaven - The Heaven of Creation under the Mother Goddess.

Vân Động - Cloudy Cave.

6.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 28th October 1948
(Lunar Calendar 26th Day of the 9th month, year of the Mouse)

The Power of the Divine Mother who looks to us like our own Mother

Tonight Bần Đạo will continue to speak about the Path to Eternal Life.

Before I continue, I would like to clarify my tone which, up until now I have kept at a simple level in order to encourage you to accompany me along this Path.

May I say to all of you friends, whether you are male or female, that there is one thing that makes me most worried: before we even established the Dao (i.e. the Cao Đài Religion), this religion was destined to save the souls of the Holy Body of the Supreme Being, especially those elder brothers and sisters. Bần Đạo is concerned with many things. Therefore, I would like to preach about your progress along this Path to Eternal Life. It is essential to illustrate the positions in front of the Holy Body of the Supreme Being, particularly for these elder brothers and sisters who should know the path of progress and understand it clearly so you will confidently walk this path.

Last time, we already stopped over at the Cung Tạo Hoá Thiên. This is the Heavenly Realm of the Buddha Mother/Mother Goddess (Phật Mẫu), which is Diêu Trì Cung (that is, the Heaven of the Creation under the Mother Goddess). Bần Đạo has this gift for all of us to contemplate: the unlimited mystery of Phật Mẫu.

I shall summarise the power of the Holy Mother.

When we enter (Her realm) to have an audience with Her, we look at her face and we see the face of our own mother, that is, the mother who gave birth to us in our last earthly life. Now as I speak I am seeing my own mother, and I am sure others are also seeing their mothers. It is not clear whether the Divine Eye is reflecting the face of our mother, or perhaps it is the mysterious power of the Holy Mother that is allowing us see Her in this way.

Our earthly mother is, of course, subordinate to the Buddha Mother. And you women must pay attention and listen to this point: as the direct personnel of the Buddha Mother, when you are pregnant, the Buddha Mother has placed the gift of creation in your hands.

There is no need to say how honoured a mother is when her son grows up and knows how to progress on the Path to Eternal Life. So, we come back to the Cung Diêu Trì (the Heaven of the Creation under the Mother Goddess) and look up to see this image. No other honour can compare to this. Whether you are male or female, it is critical for you to abide by this rule, i.e. to maintain filial piety with your parents! That day, we look and see the image of Đức Phật Mẫu (Buddha Mother, Mother Goddess, Dharma) and see this gentle Mother of benevolence. It is a reward of great happiness. On the other hand, if we are unfilial to our parents, we will see this image of Đức Phật Mẫu but with a very serious and indifferent face. Then, our suffering will be unbearable.

Now we enter this realm and whatever we want, it is instantly ours. Thus, when the Kim Cương Phật (Vajra-Buddha), attained the Way and entered this realm, he said, “thơ tượng hành khúc” that is he spoke of the perispirit. Because in this realm whatever we desire, whatever we want we can have it. Even if there was something we did not accomplish in our many thousands of previous lives, when you have the correct level of merit to return to Đức Phật Mẫu, whatever you need will appear and satisfy your spirit, just like the happiness of this earthly world.

Human beings are always searching for happiness in their lifetime, but they never really find it. We have seen before, as history records it for us, that if we would like to know the (Đạo Minh-Châu) we now see it in front of our eyes - only those who go can know. Those of you with a curious mind, you may have heard that in the Diêu Trì Cung there is the Ngạn Uyển garden. What is this Ngạn Uyển garden? The ancient sutras have said that, “…for each life that commences, a flower blossoms in this garden.” When that flower fades, it marks the end of one life. In the earthly realm, we call that death, but it is not. Human beings never die; death is a changing of our shirt. We enter the bathroom, and after having a bath we put on another shirt. Death and life is like the changing of shirts. In front of us appears a very bright halo which it holds the image of a very beautiful garden composed of myriad colours. The garden in this particular spiritual realm is not like a garden on our earthly realm. It contains one heavenly flower which lives a million times through the mysterious power of its transformation - if it were in front of us, we could watch it changing endlessly. And brightly it changes its colours, boundlessly. Whenever a life on our planet evolves intellectually, that is, whenever a human progresses on their intellectual path, the Ngạn Uyển garden changes its form to a new level of beauty.

The sutras also say, 'this garden is Vạn-Linh or Ngọc Hư Cung or Cực-Lạc Thế Giới, (a paradise of extreme joy). To think of it is to make it appear in front of us. There is one answer that the curious would like to understand in order to know their direction.

When we look back at the earthly world it seems like a river, a great ocean, and you see on the other bank of this great river a mass of people standing, millions and millions in fact. So many that you cannot count. Further along the bank people are so crowded that our eyes cannot see the end of them. We can see far away on the other side, where people are crying because of the sufferings they have to bear. Here is what surprises the curious most: why are there so many people? On one side of the river, there are men and also women; on the other women and also men. On the heavenly side they wait, staring at each other. They are sad and worried, while waiting for the day of reincarnation. They want to go further for the sake of living. The people on the other bank look over at this side and see that they are all crying, all sad. It is impossible to say how sad they are. Whether you are male or female, you have to pay attention to this secret and significant fact throughout your life: on our side of the bank, people have a special radiance and are so remarkably beautiful, but on the other side of the river their physical beings are dried out in suffering, their bodies are emaciated, their faces sad.

So let us ask this question; why are those on this side of the river looking across and crying, while those on the other side look over and seem full of suffering? It is because of the law of nature and of love, that people on this side look over and those on the other side look back. Those are people who were once in love, yet could not come together. Such bad karma led them to commit suicide. Any man who killed himself, any woman who killed herself, or any person who had such true love, whoever came down to Uổng Tử Thành in order to reincarnate, had to do so because they did not complete their life. Regardless of how many years left, they still have to come back to life through reincarnation. They live only until the age of courting. Even if these two sides stand facing each other, they are unable to become man and wife. It is after this that those who have the heart of true love will be saved by the Mother Buddha who will ask Đức Cao Đài to take them into the divine realm. Those who do not know true love, or live by false love will have to reincarnate and pay it off.

The lifetime of a person is visible, yet the life of a person is invisible. Turning through five or ten lifetimes, a thousand lifetimes, we suffer so much. This is why we must know the Holy Path. We must enter it and stay there. The Path to Eternal Life is the path of the Dao, or the Path of Enlightenment.

We look at the other side, seeing their deep suffering. They hope that their wishes can be achieved, but it is hopeless. They must accept this fact. Night and day they dream, wondering how they can cross this great river. Bần Đạo think it is the Ngân Hà river [the galaxy of the Milky Way]. We look down this river, on this side from where we are passing, and look back. We can see the Bát Quái Đài in the middle of the Universe. On that river there are eight great auras radiating from eight doors (of this palace). We keep looking at these eight auras and see the progression of all beings.

On the other side of the river, there is a boat. This is the boat of the Quan Yin Buddha who follows the order of the Maitreya Buddha to go forth and offer salvation. Her boat moves back and forth unceasingly. One side looks at the other dreaming and waiting for the possibility of salvation. I think of this as a lesson, and who knows its unlimited power? You must look back upon your life and the whole situation, and realise that it is not the earthly realm that is the lesson. Whoever has searched for their true home?

What a pity! They don’t know they are living. They don’t know the degree to which beings suffer, even during just a single lifetime!

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Cung Diêu Trì - The Heaven of the Creation under the Mother Goddess. It is a palace located beside The Precious Jewel Lake.

Cung Tạo Hoá Thiên - Heavenly Palace of the Buddha Mother, the Divine Realm of creation.

Cực-Lạc Thế Giới - The paradise of extreme joy.

Diêu Trì Cung - The Heaven of Creation under the Mother Goddess. It is a palace located beside The Precious Jewel Lake.

Đức Cao Đài - God, the Supreme Being.

Đức Phật Mẫu - Buddha Mother, Mother Goddess, Dharma.

Kim Cương Phật - Vajra-Buddha.

Ngân Hà river - The galaxy of the Milky Way.

Phật Mẫu – The Buddha Mother, Mother Goddess, Dharma.

Uổng Tử Thành - The dark realm where souls of the unjust dead are kept.

7.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 31st October 1948
(Lunar Calendar 29th Day of the 9th month, year of the Mouse)

The Ngân Hà River And the Panna/Prajna Boat of Quan Yin

Tonight Bần Đạo will again continue our procession along The Path to Eternal Life.

Last time, Bần Đạo asked all of you to go to the Cung Diêu-Trì. We asked each other move in front of the Cung Diêu Trì so we could look back and see the earthly world from which we had just passed. Bần Đạo only mentioned the remote area which we passed. When we examine the form of the Bát Quái Đài, it is under the foundation of this palace that we notice the snake of seven heads (Thất-Đầu-Xà). Under the body of the Thất-Đầu-Xà is the Great Ocean of Suffering, which is indeed our earthly realm. On the other side of this river, one comes close to the river of the Milky Way. Bần Đạo will explain how from the Great Ocean of Suffering to the realm of eternal life we must pass along this river of the Milky Way. There is the "Panna/Prajna boat toward Nirvana" [Thuyền Bát Nhã] of the Bodhisattva Quan Yin (or Quan-Âm), and she is following the command of the Maitreya Buddha. Her boat paddles up and down the Milky Way and across the Great Ocean of Suffering in order to save the souls of humanity.

There is one thing that catches our attention. We look back to see the eight doors of the Bát Quái Đài turning and beaming with the radiance of the eight auras. At each of these eight doors, all eight types of soul are represented. These are the eight souls of the universe: the vegetable, animals, human beings, Genii, Saints, Immortals and Buddhas. We see these souls spreading out everywhere in the universe. There is one special thing we desperately want to know – in what manner do these people appear to us? We see these beings, especially those who are not animals. They are quite calm as they move in their aura. They appear to us floating and unperturbed. Although we have proceeded one third of the way, we are still unable to predict the distance of these souls. For example, as we walk out of a door for three steps, those souls seem still in order. Stepping out further however, we see they are out of order. The Daoists call this area Kim-Bàn [The Golden Basin], where the souls first appear. We see on the top of these souls there is a radiating aura, especially when it appears as a spark that represents the true nature of each soul - that is, the eventual possibility in all of us to be a Buddha. We observe and understand ourselves; for there are three distinctive components that the Supreme Being uses to form a human being: matter, essence and spirit. These three things can be understood as animal, human and Buddha. Now and then, when we have the opportunity, Bần Đạo will explain this point further so you can understand the foundation of human beings, where they are from, why they have come here and where they go after they die.

Is this the realm where the Kim-Cang Buddha (Vajra-Buddha) attained Buddhahood? [Vô thọ thường thức Diêu-Trì] Well, when we arrive here and see our spirit and our thoughts manifested, we will truly believe in Daoism. Bần Đạo is sure that whosoever seeks the Dao with all their heart will see this in no time. If you follow the Dao laid out by the Supreme Being, you only follow His steps, possibly without true faith. Therefore, the invisible world as the path for all beings in the universe cannot be seen by you.

We now understand why the Supreme Being opened the Way for us to be able to distinguish the sacred teaching, and thus allowed us to follow Heaven. Otherwise, we will follow our animal nature, which is our physical body. We cannot deny this fact.

If we observe the sacred and the mysterious parts of divine creation from the microcosm (inside us) through to the macrocosm (around us), and on to the levels of Genii, Saints, Immortals, to Buddhas, we still cannot say how long this process takes. Indeed, from the time of the Earth's creation, that is, the beginning of each planet, we can calculate that it is at least seven hundred million years. The microcosm develops to form inanimate materials, birds and animals, and then humans. From giác-hồn (the nascent state of the soul) to the soul, it should take at least one hundred million years. This animal which is our physical body is one to be ridden. It lives and dies on this planet. When it acquires a spirit, it develops in relation to the macrocosm which will enter each physical and astral body. Then, it has to fight all the time for food and for clothing with others in protection of its own life. It will also have to face other pressures of creation, such as fire, water, wind, rain, heat, wild animals, etc.

Human beings are fierce. To preserve their own lives, they have to fight countless battles. With the behaviours of an animal, they do not know how much time they have spent fighting for survival. Human beings, in order to keep their dignity, should try not to let this wild animal exercise its cruelty. That is, they would misuse us for their benefit. Think of our nature as being in the middle; above us is the Supreme Being, and below us is the animal. Ask yourself if you have enough spiritual wisdom to protect your dignity without the guidance of the Supreme Being, or ward off the wanton desires of the animal within you? The animal is qi essence; this qi can be turned into the brightness and intelligence of the spirit.

With our mind, we can see all the mysteries of the Creator, and one day, as we progress, we will all receive extreme intelligence. It is then that we will uncover these mysteries. Yet, because of materialism, their minds push them towards becoming non-believers (vô đạo). This leads them to betray their spirit and their desires – so they come out against their Creator. We are granted the power of intelligence by the Creator [not the material], - or the Supreme Being. He has given us the privilege of intelligence which is superior to all other earthly beings, but human beings often use this against Him and bask in their own pride. Many previous Scriptures have said, 'Human intelligence is devilish.' This is why our ancestors, particularly the Vietnamese, often call cunning people devils. Our intelligence is devilish. If we follow it, we have no hopes of attaining those lofty positions of Genism, Sainthood, Immortality and Buddhahood that the Supreme Being has promised.

"If you child can be better than your Master, then your Master will step lower in order for you, child, to attain your position." This is the way the Supreme Being aids the rise of all souls.

What a pity, so many do not want to listen, or do not want to know. Because they dare not know themselves, the devil pushes them to the path of the animal. This is why, in this earthly realm, the tragedy of fighting and killing continues to play itself out. We are watching sufferings play out right in front of us. This is because human beings are willing to sacrifice their dignity in order to obey the animal within, and to become a slave to the beast. They then fight and kill each other like wild animals for their own existence. This is a lesson we must know, and Bần Đạo will explain it further in the coming days. Today, I only gave you a brief introduction; next time we will have more time to progress on our journey to Eternal Life.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Cung Diêu Trì - The Heaven of the Creation under the Mother Goddess. It is a palace located beside The Precious Jewel Lake.

Giác-hồn - The nascent state of the soul.

Kim-Bàn - The Golden Basin.

Quan-Âm - Bodhisattva Quan Yin.

Thất-Đầu-Xà – The snake of seven heads.

Thuyền Bát Nhã - Panna/Prajna boat toward Nirvana.

8.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 5th November 1948
(Lunar Calendar 5th Day of the 10th month, year of the Mouse)

The Secrets and Mysteries of the Bát Quái Đài; and the Evolution of the Eight levels of Souls

Tonight Bần Đạo will continue to preach about our progress on this Path to Eternal Life.

Last time, I asked you to remain at the Bát Quái Đài in order to observe some of the secrets and mysteries of creation. This place is where all peri-spirits transform and in so doing continually refurbish the universe.

There is no need for me to describe this scene again. Take these secrets and mysteries, however, as a lesson. Today, I would like to describe the form of this place clearly, and find out if it is a Kim-Bàn [origin point of universe] as the Buddhists would say. Now, as we look back at the earthly world, or the sea of suffering, which is linked to the Ngân Hà (Milky Way) river, there is a Prajna Boat (Boat of Salvation) traversing this river. The figure sitting in this boat is the Buddhist Bodhisattva Quan Yin (Đức Phật Quan Âm), who follows the orders of the Maitreya Buddha (Đức Phật Di-Lạc), taking those souls who have attained enlightenment from shore to shore. Bần Đạo would like to explain how mysterious this Bát Quái Đài is. In the eight doors, there appear eight levels of souls. They spin like a wheel. This is not very different from a lighthouse on the coast. If it is turning, then we see the eight beams of radiance illuminating the whole of the universe. The scene is so solemn that it is too difficult to describe. The great mystery of it all renders us fearful, because the radiant light entwines with the sanh quang (the living light). The form of the peri-spirit as we have seen on the planet earth, can be plants, animals or human beings. Their perispirits all look beautiful - nothing like our physical bodies. Wherever these eight lights show, the eight classes of souls appear in masses. Many are leaving, many returning, many entering, many exiting – they are countless beyond imagination.

Furthermore, in the universe there are 3000 worlds (Tam-Thiên Thế-Giới), four great regions (Tứ-Đại Bộ-Châu), and 72 planet earths (Thất-Thập-Nhị Địa); out of this realm, there are many worlds that have not been fully developed, and have not accommodated any beings. Consider this most subjective comparison which is based on the 72 planet earths that have human beings. The diameter of our planet Earth is 10 000 kilometres. However, supposedly, when we put the universe on a large-scale plan, we may see that our planet Earth occupies only 10 centimetres, while the Universe occupies up to 280 kilometres.

Brothers and Sisters, imagine that the universe is so great, in terms of the spiritual. We are unable to understand thoroughly how souls transform into beings. We look back, at the magnificent Diêu Trì Cung and see that there are other worlds on both the left and right. In the middle, there is a palace with rays of illumination shining brightly in front of us.

I thought that all of you would like to know in advance what the Diêu Trì Cung is, what are these three realms? Let me make it clear, the realm in front of the Diêu Trì Cung is the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa, on the right side is the Cực Lạc Thế Giới (Paradise of Extreme Joy), on the left is the Ngọc Hư Cung (Divine Jade Palace, Heavenly Council of the Eternal Law).

Through the Divine Eye, Bần Đạo can see the long way that we have to travel in order to reach those realms. It is extremely far away. We can see it, however, because at the Diêu Trì Cung we can have whatever we want.

To get an view of Bát Quái Đài, as we saw before, is not easy. At the Kim Bàn we can see that the Way is so far off that we are unable to observe or imagine it. Now, we enter the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa, and we will explore the other two afterwards. The Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa has been partly manifested on this earth by the Supreme Being. This is where the Three Lords of the Earth (Tam-Trấn Oai-Nghiêm) reign. It is where the Perfectly Pure Beings reside. They represent not only our planet, but also The Three Thousand Worlds and the other Seventy One Earths. They act as advocates for beings in each of these realms.

Bần Đạo has said that there is no difference between this place and the planet earth. It acts like a Heavenly Court. Only the Perfect Beings are entitled to representatives for other beings, and to the privilege of entering this Heavenly Realm.

All Genii, Saints, Immortals or Buddhas must attain perfection to enter the Hiệp-Thiên Hành-Hóa Realm. This realm has a special duty to act as an advocate for all beings. It is wonderful that the Supreme Being has formed a Hiệp-Thiên Đài on this earth. There is one thing though. When Bần Đạo entered this realm, the Divine Beings welcomed me with great hospitality. I am sure that they would like you to know this. They said: “If possible, remember to tell humanity that their many sins have been tried at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa! There are many sentences passed at this place. We have shouldered many difficult responsibilities, so we hope that your friends understand the Divine Law of karma, and the Divine punishment and reward. When you return, please preach to all that in the invisible realm, there are close relatives who pray every day for their salvation. At the Ngọc Hư Cung, the appeals can be dealt with very strictly. And at the Cực Lạc Thế Giới, things can get very difficult. Friends, remember, you have our support and guidance. Persist in your cultivation, follow the Supreme Being, be faithful to Him and to His Holy Body [i.e. Sacerdotal Council].”

All the brothers at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa have enough means and the right to protect the children of the Supreme Being. If they have due self-respect, no power can suppress them.

Bần Đạo once thought and I still think that there is no other religion with this sort of justice and kindness which originate from the Divine. So the promise of the Supreme Being regarding universal salvation is not an overstatement. Perhaps He has instated this in both the visible and invisible realms.

Friends, you only have to cultivate to be liberated. When you practise the Way, no one has the right to criticise you, nor do they have the right to abandon you. Remember this every day. Fill your soul with eagerness in order to follow the Supreme Being and fulfill your duties.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa – The Realm of Divine Beings who hold the power to control all human beings in a universe of many planets. The Realm (or department) of the Divine Alliance.

Cực-Lạc Thế Giới - The Paradise of Extreme Joy.

Diêu-Trì Cung - The Heaven of the Creation under the Mother Goddess. It is a palace located beside The Precious Jewel Lake.

Đức Phật Di-Lạc – The Maitreya Buddha

Đức Phật Quan-Âm - Buddhist Bodhisattva Quan Yin, Goddess of Mercy.

Ngọc-Hư Cung - Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of

God, Divine Jade Palace.

Tam-Thiên Thế-Giới - 3000 Worlds.

Tam-Trấn Oai-Nghiêm - The three lords of the earth.

Thất-Thập-Nhị Địa - 72 Planet Earths

Tứ-Đại Bộ-Châu - Four Great Regions.

9.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 8th November 1948
(Lunar Calendar 8th Day of the 10th month, year of the Mouse)

The Dragon Flower Assembly where Positions will be decided for Souls

Today Bần Đạo wishes to preach about matters related to the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa.

Last time, we had stopped over at this place, and we had conversations with the Perfect Beings - those who are the saviours of all humans in the universe.

Here is a crucial matter to consider; why is it that our times are chaotic times? Because it is we are living through Hạ Ngươn Tam Chuyển [The Third Period of the Third Transition]. The divine plan has already made preparations for the Dragon Flower Assembly (Đại hội Long Hoa). According to our Divine Teaching, the Supreme Being said: 'You children must come together to establish a Dragon Flower Assembly in order to create positions for those elevated souls of the Third Universal Transition (Hạ Ngươn Tam Chuyển), and to usher in the Fourth Universal Transition (Thượng-Ngươn Tứ Chuyển).' The Assembly is where the Supreme Being will pass or fail these souls. Therefore, we have seen the mysterious and the sacred at work on this planet. As the Faith of the Supreme is established, we observe that all karma must be offset immediately. All debts must be paid off before the end of this era.

Bần Đạo has already mentioned that, whether we speak of an individual, a nation, or the entire human race, each is now seeing their own karma played out. This is why this civil war is so familiar to us, just like the tragedy of the 12 feudal principalities’ (the Thập Nhị Sứ Quân) rebellion. The karma of Vietnam has been paid off. The Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa Realm holds the power over all human beings in this universe. The Divine Beings in this realm are particularly worried by this 68th planet, as it has to bear the consequences of the Third Universal Transition. Therefore, Bần Đạo has preached right from the start that we are responsible for leading each other on the Divine Path to Eternal Life.

Now let’s address this question: why this world is falling into chaos, and killing each other? As a result, the political systems of nations are collapsing. Why? First, we have to trace the karmic roots of our planet. In doing this, we can understand the path of progress in the Divine Realm. Even in the animal kingdom, animals will unite for safety. Many kinds of animals have built their own social system, whether they are insects, animals or birds. Why is it impossible for human beings to live individually? Because of the love which ties them together. Human beings only have to rely on their conscience for unity.

As individuals, we do not have enough sagacity to protect ourselves. According to the law of nature, we cannot fight against animals. Out of fear, we call them Mr Tiger, Mr Elephant, Mr Lion, etc.

Human beings have been scared of many animals like this. Therefore, they formed societies in order to protect each other, and so they needed to make laws for social co-existence. Human beings never accepted that in doing this, they must make contribution to society. On the contrary, their sagacity is used to fight against and cheat the very society that protects them. By cheating and being cunning, humans can defraud the common good, but they will never be able to escape the Divine Justice and Karmic Law. Karma is the result of our own deeds in sustaining our own life. Every human borrows a life as a means for living. You need to eat to survive, and to clothe yourself for physical protection. If human beings go naked, they would be worse than animals. Animals have no clothing, but they conceal themselves in order to live. Because of these needs, they kill each other to survive. If human beings fight for survival like animals, they must kill each other. This is exactly what is happening right now.

As you know, Bần Đạo's Divine position is of the Hộ Pháp (Guardian of the Law). Bần Đạo thus asked the Divine Beings at the start if it is possible for human beings to reincarnate as animals. The Divine Beings answered carefully; “Although many souls are not worth their human status, the Supreme Being continues to bless them. How can everyone progress? In the case of non-progress, there are two possibilities; to keep being human or to regress. If we are unable to retain our status as a human being, we have to go backward to the status of an animal.”

Perhaps human beings think that this truth is not worth retaining. The Third Universal Transition with the Dragon Flower Assembly is the culmination of so much suffering by the Supreme Being for the children of the earth. We do not know how much the Divine Father has suffered for His children. Since the creation of the universe, there are no other beings that have been as blessed as the humans of this planet.

Because humans live together, they need to have a birthright to their land. Since the time of primitive life on this planet, humanity has wanted to protect itself, firstly by building huts in trees or making little houses in caves, and then building proper houses. At the time their houses are a refuge they are only scared of wild animals. They used to stay in their caves watching until there were no wild animals about. Then, they could go out to their paddy fields and catch fish for food. Also, they could go to the fields to plow the earth for the growing of crops. Sometimes, their fear of wild animals prevented them from leaving their caves. And so cunning people were able to steal what they had. The weak were unable to protect their lives and must surrender to the cunning. So, they gathered and became a group. Whatever food was stolen they tried to get it back. If one person was unable to fight, others gathered with him. And so groups developed, one, two people, another group, four of five people, and together they fought and killed each other. These tribes were still not sure if they could protect their members. When they were afraid, they fought first and kept fighting until they had nowhere else to go. Then, they must surrender. When they surrendered, they had to follow other masters, and became slaves. This is how one tribe came to control others. Bringing more of these groups together makes societies and nations.

From ancient times until now, in order to keep order and justice, to protect life with justice, sovereignty of the land is a must. In the past, each region had its own leader full of the knowledge, talents, and power as head of the tribe. To establish a nation, the people must respect and admire a king. We have seen this through history. Relying on knowledge, we can build a country with rules. We note a country such as Japan which had rules right from the very beginning to protect the lives of people with justice. Various men acting as kings of tribes or kings of the country, governed lives of all the people and created the destiny of the nation. The trace of it is clear. At that time, to establish a tribe or a nation, it was not as difficult as now. Human knowledge at the time was modest; their virtue was not infected with wiliness and cruelty, not like the 20th Century. Today, people are influenced by civilization and science. The mind and knowledge of humanity have already gone too far to keep in order. For this reason, various authorities have often been overthrown. Whatever they might say, the majority rise up to lead coups to form new political systems.

Today, we see all human beings on the planet move towards democracy, but what is democracy? It is the majority of the people gathering to hold power. Their influence decides the destiny of our planet. What a pity! There are so many people who don’t have enough knowledge or enough virtue to deserve such role. Therefore, we observe that power belongs to those who are stronger. They become rulers by cunning means, rather than by ancient methods of virtue. Human beings are falling into chaos, because there is no one to lead them.

When there is no government in control, a country falls into chaos. After much agitation, at last they have understood it. However, governments have been dissolved. Now they search for ways of re-establishing government. This is the drama of this age. We see humanity hoping to achieve their goal in order to sustain the existence of their country.

Humanity continues to search for the keys to correcting sovereignty, but it would never last. This is why the Supreme Being has come. Remember what He said: “Human sovereignty will never last. I have seen how you destroyed it all. That is why I have come to renew that sovereignty, to show you the Way.”

The Path of the Supreme Being is the path of the true dharma. Whenever on this planet its nations and societies seek eternal sovereignty based on justice, they must follow the true dharma of Caodaism to form the government of their nation. Only then will they realize that the sovereignty of the Cao Đài Religion creates rights for both the nation and for all humanity. Bần Đạo has said that the true dharma has the ability to create rights for all humanity. In order to realize this, humanity must first becalm itself and develop self-control. Even for individuals, self-control only comes from their virtue.

Therefore, whenever humanity returns to virtue in order to untie themselves from desires and to establish a way of life, they will live in honour and happiness. Whenever humanity cleanses themselves of bad karma and return to the path of virtue, nations will be peaceful, and enjoy the special blessings by the Supreme Being.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa – The Realm of Divine Beings who hold the power to control all human beings in a universe of many planets. The Realm (or department) of the Divine Alliance for preaching (The Dao).

Cung Thừa Thiên Hành Hóa – The Realm of Divine Beings who missionize the Way at the Command of Heaven.

Đại hội Long Hoa - The Dragon Flower Assembly.

Hạ Ngươn Tam Chuyển - The last cycle of the Third Kalpa, Third Period of the Third Transition, Third Universal Transition.

Thập Nhị Sứ Quân - In a protracted war which ended with the celebrated battle of Bạch Đằng, General Ngô Quyền vanquished the Chinese invaders and founded the first National dynasty of Vietnam. Ngô Quyền transfered the capital to Cổ Loa, the capital of Âu Lạc Kingdom, thus affirming the continuity of the traditions of the Lạc Việt people. Ngô Quyền spent 6 years of his reign fighting the continual revolts of the feudal lords. At his death in 967, the kingdom fell into chaos and became known as the land of "Thập Nhị Sứ Quân", or the 12 feudal principalities. They constantly fought each other.

Thượng-Ngươn Tứ Chuyển - The first era of the fourth kalpa.

10.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 12th November 1948
(Lunar Calendar 12th Day of the 10th month, year of the Mouse)

The Essential, Secret Philosophy of the Religion and the Perispirit

Bần Đạo will continue to preach about the Divine Path to Eternal Life, because it contains the most sacred and truest philosophy regarding our souls.

Last time, we talked with the Genii, Saints, Immortals, and Buddhas who have attained the ranks of the Perfect Beings. They advocate on our behalf at the Ngọc Hư Cung and the Cực-Lạc Thế Giới.

Today, Bần Đạo is speaking about the influence of the philosophies of this Religion. This will provide you with the basic knowledge to understand the truth completely. As Bần Đạo has said, it is a philosophy we have been looking for since the time we have been alive. We have been looking for this noble Path, even though it has been right in front of our eyes. Yet, we have no way to understand this philosophy in order to teach ourselves. For this reason, for a long time now, Bần Đạo has been trying to lead His children onto the True Path; if with all our hearts we listen and search, we will find it a faultless philosophy. Bần Đạo need to show the most crucial points in order that you may discover for yourself, in order to enter the Cung Diêu-Trì (The Mother Goddess Realm) and in order to find the truth. You have seen the foundation of the true teaching of the Supreme Being at the Golden Basin [Kim Bàn] and at the Bát Quái Đài (the Eight-Trigram Tower) where the eight levels of souls appeared. What are their main forms? What do their astral bodies look like? I have already explained this; our perispirit looks like our physical bodies.

What is the perispirit? I will discuss this briefly. It is the khối linh quang (a body of divine light [- because the khối linh quang creates the perispirit]. Its form is like a physical body, which carries our soul. The body we are carrying is a physical-animal body. Bần Đạo have shown you the activities of the forms and constitution of the body. Bần Đạo have also explained the creation of the newly born. Our physical form is alive thanks to the Divine Consciousness created by the Holy Mother. There are two animals in each of us that protect our lives - that is why humanity continues to survive on this planet. It is not because we are strong and win over all the beings on earth in order to preserve ourselves.

Adding up the history of this planet, you will see that this planet Earth from the very beginning has maintained the power to nourish our lives. In which ways did it protect life? Let us imagine a life and we can see the law of creation at work. Today, things are very cruel. The animals and the birds are becoming stronger to protect their lives, but humans are becoming weaker. If we want to protect our lives, what should we do? We have come to depend on this Khối Sanh Quang (the great source of Divine light) in order to create our perispirit. This is part of the Supreme Being on which we depend to protect ourselves. Thankfully, it is impossible to destroy this part.

As we have already seen the entire universe, we must enter the Cung Hiệp-Thiên Hành Hóa in order to see how our representatives can protect us. Furthermore, in the universe you have all known that there are countless human beings. Compared to the universe, this planet earth is not even as large as a village. And these Perfect Beings, who are our guardians, created the form of this planet Earth, but it is not transformed yet. This planet earth was initially like the moon - it had seven elements. It changed its form, and these forms became the numerous souls amongst us.

During the first life of Earth, there were many Genii, Saints, Immortals and Buddhas. Yes, Bần Đạo has said that the name of this 68th planet earth was formed from very lofty heights, even though this is the lowest planet of the 72! Yet why does it stand at number 68? It comes last but the name all of us carry is attained by the Divine position we have at the door of the Cung Hiệp-Thiên Hành Hóa. Surely, Bần Đạo says to you, our guardians have a special name, an ennobled appellation. Thus, we should ask as we enter this realm and see the numerous spiritual beings, 'why are their ranks so lofty and glorious?' Bần Đạo can see that all of you are very surprised. We are curious to find out how our Earth could create these Perfect Beings with their glorious and lofty appellations. I am sure that all of you are as curious as I am, and want to know as much as I do. Who created these humans? The Kim Cang Buddha formed the doctrine of the root of the four sufferings (birth, old age, sickness and death). This suffering of birth creates yet another three sufferings. But why are we afraid? Is our fear well-grounded? We know that our fear of suffering is a major one. It is the philosophy of the Perfect Beings that fear is only justifiable when it can be avoided. Otherwise, it is absurd and cliché. But the pattern to practise and fill ourselves with honest virtue continues for everyone, although the soul and the astral body remain lowly. Let us observe and answer these questions: Why do we do this? Why do we have to carry the four sufferings? The proof is clear; we have to search for the answers (the truth), rather than be afraid. Bần Đạo have already preached; each individual, village, society, or even all human beings on this planet have karma. It is created because of the law of creation. Therefore, Bần Đạo is leading you, friends, along that path.

Upon being born to this planet, we have already carried a lot of karma. The doctrine of Christianity named it 'original sin'. What can we do with this physical body? Right after birth, we already bear many kinds of debts - those of our previous lives. The Perfect Beings are disgusted by such karma. They are afraid that if they are unable to pay them off (with their task on our planet), they will have to spend million years in the cycles of rebirth.

They remain for ages in their positions, unable to progress. Is there not a debt we must pay in order to find a way to return? When we pay off, we will rise to higher nobility. The debts are crucially important; they are very expensive. Whenever we can pay them off, it will be very honourable for us. If we are afraid of them, we are like soldiers on the battlefield afraid of death. It is pointless. We must be determined to win. Otherwise, we do not deserve any honour.

This 68th planet has a special name among those in the Spiritual Realm. Although they are disgusted by it, the Divine Beings come to stay. They are determined to win, and thus triumph over hardship to achieve great honours. That's the truth. The most important thing is we have to pay off all karma accrued from the distant past until now. Don’t ever let it tie up your spiritual conscience–. It would be like carrying a dead body. If only we could drop this rotten body, we would be free. It is just impossible.

Such suffering is common knowledge to everyone. There is no need to describe this animal/ physical body. Bần Đạo knows that Buddhism calls this animal a ‘Kỵ-Vật’, that is, an animal which we ride. The philosophy of Buddhism features examples of this – the Từ-Hàng Bodhisattva riding the Kim Mao-Hẩu (the yellow holy lion), and the Kim Cang Buddha riding Đề-Thính. They thus liberate their souls in honour. This animal makes us responsible for its life, and so makes us ask it to pay back. How can it pay back? Well, it must depend on this visible world for its life. –In so doing, it creates karma. It then depends on the society, and on this planet to pay off its debt. When it can attain a lofty philosophy, it will no longer depend on society for a living. It decides to be a servant for society, and this planet to pay off its debt. As long as it refuses to be a servant for this visible world, the debt remains. The noblest philosophy is the life in which we do not live for ourselves but for society. When this becomes a public cause, nobody will be unable to find salvation.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Bần Đạo - His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc refers to himself throughout as 'Bần Đạo' or 'poor monk'.

Cung Diêu Trì - The Heaven of the Creation under the Mother Goddess. It is a palace located beside The Precious Jewel Lake.

Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa – The Realm of Divine Beings who hold the power to control all human beings in a universe of many planets. The Realm (or department) of the Divine Alliance for preaching (The Dao).

Cực-Lạc Thế Giới - The Paradise of Extreme Joy.

Khối linh quang – The great source of divine light.

Khối Sanh Quang – The great source of vital fluid

Kim Cang Buddha – The Vajra-Buddha

Kim Mao-Hẩu - The yellow holy lion.

Ngọc Hư Cung - The Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of God, Divine Jade Palace.

Từ-Hàng – The boat of mercy, to cross the sea of sorrows.

11.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 4th December 1948
(Lunar Calendar 4th Day of the 11th month, year of the Mouse)

The True Happiness of Human Beings & How to Conquer Suffering

Before I explain more about the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa we still have one complicated matter to address. That is, the just fight of those souls who have established the Dao. The most complicated problem is that of human beings and the four sufferings. When coming down to earth and carrying their physical body, souls depend on the law of progress in order to attain particular Divine positions. The biggest contradiction is that in order to attain an honourable Divine position, they must solve the problem of the four sufferings. Being born into the cycle of the four sufferings, we have no way to negate them. Only by enduring the sufferings of the earthly world can we attain a Divine position. As the Supreme Being has said, “According to the law of progress during a lifetime, everyone must suffer. Only those souls who aim to attain Immortality and Buddhahood have the courage and the will to look directly at these four sufferings with determination to triumph.”

But what a pity that the Perfect Beings do not have great enough will, and enough ability. They are just afraid. In order to reach perfection, they must search for happiness in the mid of suffering. Let us look at these beings; the fish is kept in the tank, the bird in the cage, and human beings within the boundary of the four sufferings. They are always seeking to escape the gaol of this universe. Actually, we are the cage or the gaol that traps our soul. We are like an animal struggling to escape suffering. Even though it cannot escape, it still tries to find a way out.

Those souls who reincarnated into physical bodies understood the Four Noble Truths. They know that they must find a way to escape the suffering, but the Divine Law is already established in its own way. It is easy for us to understand.

The human beings always try to liberate themselves from suffering. Unable to attain liberation, we still find ways to comfort ourselves, i.e. to find a little happiness and alleviate the sufferings within us. Unfortunately, the sea of suffering is so vast. Sometimes we commit bad karma even before finding happiness.

Therefore, those lofty souls also dare not stand up to the four noble truths so that they may find happiness in their lifetime and decrease their suffering.

We should stop to contemplate the true happiness of human beings. Is there any way to overcome suffering? What is happiness in this earthly realm? We should seek and understand it, for with understanding we will be able to solve the problem and triumph over suffering. We see that people only have been dreaming. Bần Đạo remember that in our religion there is a philosophy which is illustrative, strange sublime.

There was a soul who went to hell. When he paid off his bad karma, the king of hell allowed him to ascend for reincarnation. The soul then argued with the king and demanded that he satisfy his requests before the soul accepted the reincarnation.

The King of Hell asked this soul what he wanted. The soul replied 'I would like to plead for four things.' He then read out a four-sentence poem.

My father as a Thượng Thơ (High government official). Make me a Trạng-Nguyên (First rank doctorate of the National Examinations). Around the house one thousand pieces of fertile land. Pretty boys and girls, a beautiful wife and good-looking servants (each as lovely as the others).

The King of Hell said “I’m not sure.” Even if I granted all these things, you would possibly not be happy and honoured.

“I am not sure that your father will be uncorrupted, virtuous, competent and willing enough to look after the people. If he is greedy and dishonest, should you reincarnate into that house and become his son?”

The soul still tried to plead for his requests to be granted. He still insisted on becoming a mandarin.

[The King replied] “If you pass the Trạng-Nguyên exam, there is no guarantee of happiness. A mandarin like Mr Tam-Phuong passed the Trạng-Nguyên exam three times when they were organised by Emperor Minh-Mạng. At the age of 14 he had already passed exams three times, but because he was so young he had to wait until he was 20 before allowed to serve the Emperor. It was unfortunate then that he passed away at the age of 25. Can we say that Mr. Tam-Phương achieved happiness? For sure he did not.

The third sentence of the poem reads, ‘Around the house one thousand pieces of fertile land.’ Here the soul is asking for the most fertile land so that he could be rich. But will he be really happy? At most, it is greediness, not happiness.

The fourth sentence reads: ‘Pretty boys and girls, a beautiful wife and good-looking servants…,' meaning the best things in the world? But is this happiness? I am not sure.

And look at these last words '…a beautiful wife and good-looking servants (each as lovely as the others)'. A beautiful wife is always a challenge to you. She relies on her charms, and talks down to you. Knowing that she is more alluring than you and that you love her so much, she confounds your life and maddens your mind. Only the final words 'each as lovely as the others' might be a good thing, but happiness is uncertain.

Since the ancient time, everyone has understood that happiness is not guaranteed even for a king. The sages of Vietnam, and our Confucian philosophy left us three essential words. If we wish to establish a nation and create happiness for all the people, we must have three conditions: “Thiên thời, địa lợi, nhơn hòa.” Therefore, let us examine if these three conditions can liberate people from suffering.  “Thiên thời, địa lợi, nhơn hòa.”  (Clement weather, favourable terrain, concord among the people)

1.  What is Thiên thời? That is, to follow the Divine plan. Heaven has established for us a plan, and so we must obey; that is, to obey and follow the Dao.  Therefore, Thiên thời is to obey the Dao.

2.  What is Địa Lợi? That is, all the geographical advantages of the country which all people can see. Would the land be sufficient for life? The elites of our society must contemplate this element. For who has said this sentence? The king can only enjoy the bounties of the geographical advantage, if they transform that advantage with people of virtue and talent.

3.  What is Nhơn Hòa for? Without it, we will fall into discord. If discord prevails, war soon ensues. Therefore, there are three things that help create happiness for people in a nation. But can we really achieve that goal? We can, but let us think of how humans are facing an imminent Third World War. World war has happened twice, which already cost countless lives.

Human beings are about to face a third war. How come we face such disaster? Aren’t we searching for happiness?

It is clear proof that all Vietnamese people are seeking happiness, but only in their dreams. This is especially the case with the Hồ Chí Minh government which is seeking happiness in theory, but has produced nothing. The whole world is starting war again in order to seek happiness for humanity.  I am sure they find nothing. They only criticize weaknesses in order to escalate the war and kill each other. Twice, they have failed to address this, although they wanted to make peace and happiness for humanity.

It is a great shame that humanity must carry so much suffering. For sure, even if they do not bear suffering, human being will not listen to the voice of the Divine. If they did, they could correct themselves and search for true happiness.

People keep chasing false happiness. It is no wonder that the great sage Gandhi was assassinated. The sage Dalagadot (?) was also killed by an ill-wisher in an attempt to preserve his way of life. Due to so much suffering, humans are trying to solve the problems of the governing organizations for the well-being of all humanity. The United Nations was formed, but has this organization achieved anything yet? Again, regrettably, nothing. Garry Davis has come to symbolise the spirit of humanity. He came before the United Nations to ask if we can protect peace and save humanity. Garry Davis is fighting for this and asking people to follow him, but does humanity listen? Well, I do.

The more humans follow vague theories like communism, the more they will suffer. Just let them think about it - how they can find true happiness. Next time, Bần Đạo will explain further.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa – The Realm of Divine Beings who hold the power to control all human beings in a universe of many planets. The Realm (or department) of the Divine Alliance for preaching (The Dao).

Địa Lợi – Favourable terrain, or all the geographical advantages of the country.

Garry Davis – On 25 May, 1948, in Paris, France, Garry Davis (at the age of 26), a former Broadway actor and U.S. bomber pilot during World War II, renounced his citizenship of, and allegiance to, the United States of America. At the same time, he publicly declared himself a "citizen of the world."  From that moment on, Davis, was legally "outside" the nation-state system and represented instead the sovereignty of all human beings by becoming an operative for the world-government-in-microcosm. See (http://www.worldgovernment.org/gov.html)

Nhơn Hòa – Harmony among people, people’s unity, when everyone is in harmony.

Thiên thời – Clement weather, that is, to follow the Divine plan. Heaven has established for us a plan and so we must obey heaven; that is, to obey and follow the Dao.

Thượng Thơ - High government official.

Trạng-Nguyên - First rank doctorate of the National Examinations.

12.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 5th December 1948
(Lunar Calendar 5th Day of the 11th month, year of the Mouse)

The Religious Power of Protecting the Souls of Human Beings

Tonight, Bần Đạo continue to speak of our progress upon the Divine Path to Eternal Life.

For the last few days, we have stopped over at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa. This realm is directly related to the souls of human beings, especially the Dao. We stopped over in order to observe the activities of this realm.

There, we met the Perfect Beings, that is, those who undertake the crucial responsibility of advocating for the salvation of souls.

We should ask about the ability of the various religions of the world to save souls. So, do these religions have the ability to protect the future development of human souls? We see those Perfect Beings laugh and say: 'Now and then at Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa, we invite the founders of the religions of the world to come over to see the judgements passed on their disciples. That is, they see what and how their disciples have done on the planet earth. Of course, I ask you friends not to be surprised at this.

The founders established religions based on their beliefs and values which are grounded in those of the entire humanity. They built their religious philosophies upon only one set of crucial elements. For example, Christianity upholds love as its fundamental doctrine, whereas Daoism focuses on the body as the basic fundamental, and Islam on faith. Every doctrine has the ability to create a central point around which it can govern the spirit of humanity in relation to its weaknesses.

Let us consider a person who is practising Buddhism, but not following the virtue of the Buddha. This virtue is compassion and philanthropy; that is, only knowing one thing - a lifetime dedicated to serving humanity, and the other beings. Wealth, honour and fame are considered fleeting as the morning dew. The Buddha was born into the family of King Sakyamuni, but He gave up everything. Why did he carry a begging bowl? He begged in order to feed the poor and the hungry. He refused to wear clothes that were better than the dispossessed. The virtue of the Buddha is begging, which is a sublime means of liberation. Suppose that there is a disciple of Buddhism who relies on begging in order to build a temple, but then just sits there and waits for others to bring him food offerings for a living. He even takes advantage of the mysterious and divine teachings of the Buddha, turning them into an instrument to deceive and threaten the faithful. These sorts of people only have one way to manipulate believers - to threaten them. They paint up a hell of very horrible punishments in order to entice people, but never serve beings like the Buddha. On their return to the Divine Realm, they declare –to follow Buddhist doctrine. The Buddha attained Buddhahood; therefore, they think they deserve Buddhahood too. By what theory and proof can the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa protect that person when he longs to enter The Paradise of Extreme Joy and The Divine Jade Palace?

Let us talk about the heart: when Jesus Christ propagated Christianity in this earthly world, he took love as the basis of His faith because of his endless love for human beings. He said, with his true heart, that he would sacrifice himself like an animal for the Supreme Being. He asked if He could carry all the sins of humanity in the same way that the scapegoat was sacrificed after being loaded with all the sins of the race (Le Bouc Emissaire). Jesus carried all those sins and undertook to end His life on the cross. In order to save humanity, He used His heart of unending love. During His life on earth, He entrusted it to the hands of humanity, and so He became a sacrifice to the Supreme Being and only because of the Supreme Being. That is His truth, and so we say His Divine Heart is without end. When His disciples travel back to the Cung Hiệp-Thiên Hành Hóa, they may say: I love beings like my Master; I follow the true teachings of my Master who is Jesus Christ; I also want to offer my whole heart to the Supreme Being. In fact, they do not love these beings at all. On the contrary, they hold the power to forgive humanity on behalf of the Supreme Being, so that they can govern the spirit of humanity. At the door of Hiệp-Thiên Hành-Hóa, these disciples claim to be following the footsteps of Jesus Christ, serving the Lord and preserving the His policy; that is, to offer the heart as a means of liberating humanity from suffering. However, in relation to the sublime truth of Jesus Christ, we see these people's actions are good for nothing. If the Ngọc Hư Cung and the Cực Lạc Thế Giới ask the Perfect Beings at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa about the actions of these disciples, which are contrary to their master's teachings, how will the Perfect Beings reply to these two powers of Trị Thế (Governing the Earthly World) and Giác Thế (Awakening the Earthly World)?

Now let us mention the mind or intellectual pursuits. Confucianism [Ru Jia] takes the mind as the basis of its doctrine. Intellectuality may appear in many guises. It is not easy to apply His sublime philosophy to govern the entire society. Confucius had to use intelligence in order to cultivate the self. Only by self-cultivation are we equipped with the power of love required to teach souls, that is, to teach humanity how to perfect their virtue to the highest level of Good Will (Chí Thiện). On the contrary, armed with their intellectuality, knowledge and eloquence, many disciples of Confucius only use the noble philosophy to talk up a storm, rather than to put it practice. On their return to the Ngọc Hư Cung, the souls entreated: 'I have followed the teachings of Confucius to cultivate the intellect. I respected morality, and followed and preserved the rules. Therefore, I have the right to stand among the ranks of Saints, just like the 36 Sages who followed the Master. What is the reason for me to be criticised and refused entry into the door of Confucianism?’ What could the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa do? These disciples claim to have followed Confucianism, cultivated their intellectuality, respected and obeyed the Master's teachings. In reality, they did not practise them at all. Rather, they used intellectuality to stir trouble and rendered society suspicious of itself. They incited people to sue each other, husband and wife divorce, the uneducated to do foolish things. They even put prices on human lives. Would people like this be recognised by Confucius as his disciples? Certainly, he will not recognise these disciples when carrying out this judgement.

From the three examples I have just mentioned, Bần Đạo is certain that the founders of these religions are truly dedicated to serving humanity. With all their heart and mind, they established organizations to guide human spirits, while leading a life of asceticism and suffering. Instead of creating happiness, their doctrines were used as instruments by the heartless to deceive humanity. Instead of doing good, they reaped bad karma. What a pity! If the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa applied the law “Tội vi Trưởng” (a convention where the head of the family took responsibility for the actions of those in the family), these founders would not sit peacefully on their lotus thrones. If the Divine Beings at the Cung Hiep Thien Hanh Hoa still have their mind tainted by secular thoughts, the religious founders would go to court constantly. The followers of these religions do not bring honour to their founders, but create more sins for the world.

There is a saying that no harm done to you can be as bad as the harm caused by your relatives. There is one thing that Bần Đạo have thought over and am most afraid of. The religion of the Supreme Being focuses on the spirit as the basic element. Presently oppressed by materialism, will it have enough strength to protect itself? If the spirit of humanity does not rise and decide itself to be independent of this material life, what will be the future of the Cao Đài Religion? Not only must we protect ourselves and triumph over materialism, but also restore the true moral nature of humanity to deserve the strong spirit of the Supreme Being. What then will be the future of the world? We should leave this question hanging.

We should watch by which means the Supreme Being preserves that moral spirit of the Dao. We shall follow His footsteps to build a solid and faithful community.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bần Đạo - His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc refers to himself throughout as 'Bần Đạo' or 'poor monk'.

Le Bouc Emissaire – A scapegoat

Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa – The Realm of Divine Beings who hold the power to control all human beings in a universe of many planets. The Realm (or department) of the Divine Alliance for preaching (The Dao).

Cực-Lạc Thế Giới - The Paradise of Extreme Joy.

Giác Thế - Awakening the Earthly World?

Ngọc Hư Cung - The Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of

God, Divine Jade Palace.

Tội vi Trưởng - A convention (under Ming Law Codes introduced into Vietnam in 1801) where the head of the family took responsibility for the actions of those in the family.

Trị Thế - Governing the Earthly World.

13.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See at the Mouse Hour
(between 11PM and 1AM) on the 13th December 1948
(Lunar Calendar 13th Day of the 11th month, year of the Mouse)

The Governing Power of the Ngọc Hư Cung & The Teaching Role of the Paradise of Extreme Joy.

Today, Bần Đạo continues to explain the true struggles at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa regarding faith.

There are many complications between the authority of defending souls in the universe, from the governing power of the Ngọc Hư Cung, and the education role of the Cực Lạc Thế Giới. There are many philosophies which cause heated debates amongst the various religions and their believers.

In terms of faith, we can see that the majority of the higher classes and intellectuals today, esp. the writers of the East who are Confucians, and in Europe those individuals who exercise freedom of speech and of thinking, are all atheists. Some even go beyond this point to become anarchists who have neither aims nor worship and who are much worse than mere atheists. Upon their return to the spiritual realm, they must kneel in front of the Divine Law for moral examination. They would like to avoid this, but they cannot escape the infinite power of the universe. They want to avoid the Divine Law, but it is impossible. These people argue strongly against the Divine Law with their very eccentric theories. For example, at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa, they argue that, "…the eminent philosophers, the enlightened ones descended to the earth and formed religions to teach the Dao (Tao) to human beings. It is the truth. Yet, their religions do not have any bearing on secular life. On the contrary, they hamper human struggle and progress. If only the Divine power – the infinite power of the universe – had manifested before our eyes, we would have had faith in it. If that power could protect human lives, we would all follow the Dao. However, the entire philosophy is still too vague for us to believe in. The founders of the religions teach us to do good deeds and avoid bad ones. Seeing the suffering in front of us, we would like to do good, but the people do not. They pressure and cajole us to become cruel. If we conceded, we would be harmed by the cruelty. Out of love, we would like to concede our means living to others, but they show no heart. They have no respect for the sublime.

Your Excellency, you can see that on this planet earth there are many virtuous people who humble themselves under secular powers, suffer injustice and live in poverty. Now you ask us to follow them to build up our faith. The faith of those virtuous beings has never been clear to us. Your Excellency, please describe them for us to see." What theories are used by the Perfect Beings in their response to these sorts of arguments? They respond by saying, "…you show great knowledge in making excuses for yourself, but the Truth is not how you said it is. The Truth is that if you do not believe in yourself then who else can you believe in? If you do not believe in yourself, how can you believe in the philosophy of religion? The Supreme Being sent the founders to form the religions of the Earth not to ask humanity to worship Him, but to build the Lofty Church for worship of human faith, that is, to worship humanity, not Him at all. Now, you object and say that you show virtue in protecting human life. Can you provide examples? Well, there is none. You yourself still depend upon the philosophy of religion in order to survive. If there were no religion, humanity would belong to the class of animals, elephants, panthers, tigers and monkeys in the forest. You have depended on religion in order to protect yourself.

"By what theory have you understood that you are nobler than other living beings, and are the most spiritual. How did you know that you are part of the Supreme Being? You would like to refuse your noble positions, and submit your life and soul to base pursuits. What would your soul become of? If you do not believe in yourself, who can you believe in?"

No, the religious founders did not deceive anyone! You said the philosophies of religions. Actually, they are like a mirror hung in front of humanity for them to follow. You are afraid and avoid it. How can you build up your faith? Look how life struggles pressure humanity to destroy each other. The human elites seek happiness in materialism which is the animal way of life. Has humanity achieved the happiness it strives for? As long as humanity struggles, they still cause sufferings for each other. You are complaining that the Divine Power does not send any visible authorities to lead the faith of humanity. Even if the Supreme Being manifests and asks humanity to follow Him, the animal in them will definitely force them to go its way. They basically will follow Him even in His presence.

The faith is up to us. We must know ourselves. Knowing ourselves will allow us to know the rest of humanity. In knowing others, we can then know the Supreme Being who is the Master and Creator of the Universe. Knowing that Being is knowing yourself clearly. If you do not know Him, do not expect to know yourself. And so, no one else will know you. Living without faith means not knowing oneself. It is no different from existing as flora or fauna. It is a life with no meaning at all, or a life with no value.

Now, suppose we enter an examination and the examiner asks about the Four Books and the Five Classics, and other canonical works that constitutes the doctrine of Confucianism, which we have studied. If we answer correctly without carrying any books, we will pass the exam. The same applies for all religions. The religions are displayed on this earth for us to practise, but people do not due to lack of faith. How can they ask the Divine Beings to respect them?

Indeed, whoever plays spinning tops, if they spin well, they will win money. If the bowl is turned up, everybody can answer correctly.

Faith resides in those who know, respect and worship themselves. If one can worship oneself, others will worship them. If one does not believe in oneself, how can they ask humanity to believe in the Supreme Being who is the Creator of the universe and our own souls? If one does not have enough faith as evidence, they do not deserve to be members of His Holy Body, that is, the Sacerdotal Council (Hội Thánh).

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa – The Realm of Divine Beings who hold the power to control all human beings in a universe of many planets. The Realm (or department) of the Divine Alliance for preaching (The Dao).

Cực-Lạc Thế Giới - The Paradise of Extreme Joy.

Hội Thánh - The Sacerdotal Council.

Ngọc Hư Cung - The Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of God, Divine Jade Palace.

14.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See on the 15th December 1948
(Lunar Calendar 15th Day of the 11th month, year of the Mouse)

The Methods of Spiritual Cultivation differ among the Five Branches, but they all have the Same Aim: to Free Humanity from Suffering

Today, Bần Đạo continue to explain the debate at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa between the Perfect Beings and those highly intellectual souls who do not accept any true belief, but retain an irreligious attitude regarding matters of "faith."

They question the Perfect Beings about religious beliefs. They tell the Perfect Beings; "If you obligate us to have faith in order to practise the Way and progress along this limitless Divine Path to Eternal Life amongst the ranks of the Divine Beings, i.e. the souls of the Universe; then please allow us to ask this:

On this planet, there are many different religions that are teaching humanity. We do not mean to attack these religions, but they confuse humanity and cause them to lose faith. Neither are we attacking the spiritual values of their philosophies, but we can provide proof that those various philosophies stand contrary to each other. They confound human minds. Therefore, humanity does not know where to put their belief.

Regarding the Way of Humanity or Nhơn Đạo, we know that those born as humans on this planet soon realise that we have come to a realm of suffering and our lives are lives of suffering. Indeed, we understand the four sufferings as highlighted by the Sakyamuni Buddha. These are not unreasonable; they help us realise that those sufferings are inevitable and undeniable. Each religion has its own method of spiritual cultivation and progress on the Divine Path to Eternal Life, such as:

- The Way of Humanity (Nhơn Đạo), which guides humanity to bear suffering.

- The Way of Genism (Thần-Đạo) to overcome suffering,

- The Way of the Saints (Thánh Đạo), to endure suffering,

- The Way of the Immortals (Tiên Đạo), to escape from suffering

- The Way of the Buddha (Phật Đạo), to annihilate suffering.

To revolve suffering, each religion recommends a different way and philosophy.

We recognise that these philosophies are true and useful. We do not oppose this truth, but we do see that those different religions perplex us. There are many intellectuals who have wide knowledge and can study these philosophies. It is shown that vagueness is a common issue among them, definitely so. They are vague in many ways.

If we place our faith in a philosophy that we do not understand completely, people will criticise us. Being afraid of criticism and shame, we have to pretend to have no faith. The majority of the educated and the philosophers on this planet think in this way.

They know that their faith is in the right place, but cannot overcome their own mentality and others’. Being afraid of mockery, they decide to be atheists. The majority of educated people behave in this way.

So, how do the Perfect Beings reply to this? They say: “You have enough knowledge and education to be independent thinkers, but you do not have the courage to do the right thing. You have seen a person with a noble spirit. If that person knows what a noble thing to do is, they will sacrifice their lives to achieve it. From the beginning of time until now, there have been many sages who sacrificed their life in order to do the right thing. Is there any religion on this planet that teaches people to do wrong? No religion would, not even the False Doctrines. They would only teach people to do right. There is no religion which dares to teach people to do wrong. Intellectuals who do not dare to do right are weak at heart.

Furthermore, religious beliefs have facilitated and guided human ways of life. How can you refute this? If you think the religions of this world cause humans’ confusion over where to place their belief, let us describe to you a similar situation. You are treated to a meal with many dishes, but complain that there are too many. If you do not choose any dish to eat, you will become hungry. So eat!

The religions on earth reflect human virtues so as to guide their spirits.

You are offered many dishes, but fail to choose. It is not that there is no good dish. It is because you are either not wise enough or too arrogant.

These religions are just like a family. Individuals compete-with and criticise each other. It is not strange that if a family has grandparents, parents, uncles, and aunts; then, they also have children, nephews, and nieces. To those young people, we may teach them that your brothers have to obey your mother, your mother must obey your father, your father must obey your grandfather, and your grandfather must obey your great grandfather. It is normal to have authority defined in a family. But when the child grows to become a complete person, we do not need to say these things. Instead, we say it like this; in your family you have your grandparents, parents and siblings, and you are a member of this family. You must live in this family. Religions of the world were formed in accordance with the intelligence and virtue of humanity.. Each is particular to a certain level of intelligence and virtue.

All religions teach us to cultivate our virtue. In combination, they form the true physiognomy of virtue. They are not created to criticise and destroy each other. There is no way that one religion could destroy the others, even if they hated and competed with each other. Because the there is only one Truth. The Truth is living the life of belief on the Path of Eternal Life, and making that life eternal and limitless.”

All religions let us know that we need to find their origin, i.e. the eternal realm. Even if we travel a hundred roads, we only need to know one way. At the end, we will arrive at same point. That is the realm of the Divine Eternal Life. That is the one we need to find, not in this earthly realm. Carrying this animal/ physical body, we bear all sorts of suffering. If we seek the truth in religions, they will all show us the way. The more ways they point out, the more certain we are to reach the destination. If a religion is unable to show us this Path to Eternal Life, then it is not a religion. Thus, we do not need to listen or follow. Even if people are enticed by superstition, they will renounce it upon knowing it does not lead them to the true Eternal Life. False religions are never able to deceive us to the end. They can never destroy humans’ spiritual aspirations.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa - The Realm of Divine Beings who hold the power to control all human beings in a universe of many planets. The Realm (or department) of the Divine Alliance for preaching (The Dao).

Nhơn Đạo - The Way of Humanity.

Phật Đạo - The Way of the Buddha.

Thánh Đạo - The Way of the Saints.

Thần Đạo - The Way of Genism.

Tiên Đạo - The Way of the Immortals.

15.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See 19th of December 1948
(Lunar Calendar 19th Day of the 11th month, year of the Mouse)

The Dharma of Altruism and Selflessness for a Public Life against Private Aims

Today, Bần Đạo will continue to explain more of the "essential philosophy." For this reason, this sermon might be a little bit longer. All of you please sit if you are tired.

Each time we attend these midnight ceremonies, we are attempting to explain a philosophy so complex we could write a book about. Instead, I am summarising it into short essay but adequate essay. It is not an easy task.

Tonight, Bần Đạo continue to explain the contention at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa regarding the secrets of uniting institutions. This is closely related to the philosophy of ”Altruism and Selflessness” or "A Public life against Private aims;" this is also called the Bí Pháp or "Secret Dharma." If this dharma is realized on earth, we can harmonize various human systems, and save humans from the incessant fighting and killing.

Furthermore, in the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa, the Divine Beings use the theory of constant evolution as the foundation. Even in terms of philosophy, religious freedom remains in the hands of the Divine Beings. They are influenced by Confucianism; in which one elevates the public, and diminishes the private. Also, religious belief enables us to understand the value of Divine rewards and punishments, as well as the power of the Supreme Being over both the visible and. Unfortunately, the philosophy of Confucianism mainly has influence on human intellectuality. It is a method to facilitate freedom of thought and belief. Humanity is influenced by it, but they are unable to attain true freedom. Thus, the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa, the intellectuals object and say: “We are seeing on this planet that all beings are protecting their lives by using many unjust devices. Society is in chaos; the strong are winning, the weak losing, the silly being destroyed, and the smart standing strong. We see clearly on this planet that such drama goes on endlessly. The Enlightened Beings have been finding was to harmonise the situation where various institutions are pushing humanity towards perdition. In the future, if there is an invisible power that decides the destiny of humanity, will it be capable enough to protect humanity and prevent injustice?

If the question is put to us in this way, it seems a very hard issue to resolve. But fortunately in the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa the Perfect Beings tackle the challenge. They reply: "Because humans live for themselves rather than others; they put selfishness over altruism. Whenever this drama still takes place, the relative law that decides the destiny of human activities is still active. Whenever humans live for others and uphold altruism, it will be time for their liberation.

We see that earthly life is not very different from the Divine Realm. The major difference is that all human institutions are formed on the basis of selfishness. It leads to competition, fighting and ultimately destruction.

All beings are affected by the law of nature. This law puts the community over the self, whether in society or in the family. In a family, all the members are supposed to gear themselves towards the common good. If they elevate their own aims , chaos and poverty will ensue. Nationally, the people must live for their country, so that the nation will be strong. But if they are selfish or only care about their own happiness, or if they do not make sacrifices for their community, then the country will slide towards chaos. Likewise, nations of the world only care about their own well-being and wealth. This is also an egoistic attitude. When one country wants to be better than the others, there is objection and competition. It will lead to mutual killing and destruction. This is not strange. It is the natural law of progress. But how can they progress? It can only be achieved by unity, i.e. selflessness. However, humanity does not yet have this sort of spirit. They do not regard selflessness as just or righteous, but as base, crude and backward. No wonder that this world turns upside down and falls apart.

Friends, can you hide?  You are invited to get out of the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa and go down to the earth to look at the situation of its evolution then decide from what power. Standing in front of the door of the Diêu Trì Cung under the banner of Đức Diêu Trì / The Universal Mother Goddess, we see a map on display for us to examine. We see an area of land jutting out to the sea, part of it muddy, part hilly, with a sign for sale "300 francs." This piece of land is the town of New York, which is desolate and cheaply priced at 300 Francs. Then, we see how it changes its form. It becomes a little town, like a small harbour town, where the merchants come to trade. Next, we see it change into a big town, where many come and go, trading gold as the busiest activity. Then, it becomes huge with many bustling about. It is the time of La Fayette. At this time, the people of New York City were trying to liberate themselves from the yoke of the English. Then, we see more changes as the buildings arise, the harbour full of ships, the people even busier, the buildings rising one hundred stories. They are magnificent. The muddy areas have become part of a vast harbour teaming with incomparable wealth. Because of the early selflessness, New York has developed itself into the situation as it is now. Which one would humanity like to keep, the muddy piece of land or the noble metropolis?

The Divine Beings said, "…it’s not finished yet. It is still changing. Not only New York City but also the whole world will change when it comes time.

Vietnamese friends, let us look at the map of Saigon City. We can see on this map along either bank of the big river, sedge is growing wild. Next, on the little river, there are a few fishing boats. That is Bến-Nghé covered in mud and surrounded by a large river which runs far into the paddy fields overrun with sedge. Now and then, we see the form of the landscape changes, sedge withdrawing, people putting up houses and trading boats crowding the river. Then, we see even more change. Near the banks, people are gathering to build houses, forming a bigger village. The scene is now full of houses and boats. In the next scene, we see dry paddy fields and houses with dirt floors everywhere, mostly those with tiles and thatched roof. More changes come, and we see that the little river now has turned into the Charner Avenue (Nguyễn Huệ street in Sài Gòn). The people are very busy now; the city is bustling. After more changes, the little river disappears. On both sides of the big river, there are no more stilt houses. Many ships come and go, full of merchants. More changes turn the town into a prosperous trading center. And then come the palaces and government offices. It goes on until the town is like what we see now.

The Divine Beings asked, "Do you want to keep Saigon City as it was previously, covered with the mud and the paddy fields, or do you want to keep what we see today?" Then they said, there are still more changes to come.

Now, some insist on seeing changes in the Cao Dai religion for evidence. We see on the plot of our Holy See, the map shows a jungle, trees, tigers, panthers, monkeys and all sorts of other wild animals. Then, we see a few thatched cottages in the forest. After some changes, on this land they build a temple with a few thatched cottages for accommodation. After more changes, we see thatched huts built everywhere, one next to the other in the forest where there is cleared land. After more changes, we see people entering the temple, which is clean and honourable. A few government officials enter the temple whilst outside there are a number of people who are scolding and abusing them. After even more change, we see crowds of poor people coming to fell the trees and level the undulations of the land. The temple comes to have tile roof, and then gives place to the current one. Buildings begin to rise up everywhere.

Would we, the Cao Đài religion, like to keep the desolate forest, or the current temple, or to keep it as a private domain?

Those Divine Beings said all these changes serve the common good, whether it is New York City or Saigon City. They cannot serve private aims. The houses we now build are only really the beginning of public efforts; no private interest is allowed.

Can you see how the Divine Mystery spreads from the Bát Quái Đài to here? Walking past the temples and buildings, we must know that the craftsmen have sculpted them. All the things we see on our way are also made by our own hands, for the entire public. This is true even up to Phật Mẫu (Buddha Mother, The Universal Mother Goddess). On earth we see and recognise that Phật Mẫu is also our mother here. She Herself gives birth to our physical being. Phật Mẫu is thus a public Being. And the Supreme Being, who we will see next, is our common Father. He will unite all for the common good. There will be no more private aims. These Divine Secrets govern both heaven and earth to form a stable power.

On this earth, only when humanity dedicates itself to public purposes and relinquish all private interests, will they achieve happiness.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Bí Pháp - Secret Dharma, esoteric teaching, esoteric doctrine.

Cung Diêu Trì - The Heaven of the Creation under the Mother Goddess.

Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa- The Realm of Divine Beings who hold the power to control all human beings in a universe of many planets. The Realm (or department) of the Divine Alliance for preaching (The Dao).

Diêu Trì  Cung - The Heaven of the Creation under the Mother Goddess.

Đức Diêu Trì - The Universal Mother Goddess.

Phật Mẫu - The Buddha Mother, The Universal Mother Goddess.

16.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See 22nd of December 1948
(Lunar Calendar 22nd Day of the 11th month, year of the Mouse)

The Law of Love and the Right of Justice will lead Humanity to Union through Belief

Today, we come to the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa where we examine the (spiritual) struggle and discover what if anything is set against us.

Up until now Bần Đạo have explained numerous questions concerning liberated souls. Because of their lack of virtue, they find all sorts of philosophies that will allow them to deny their guilt. We have seen that the Divine Beings at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa will not yet let them get away with it.

Tonight, for the last time, we will imagine ourselves at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa. This time is the most essential of all, because of their questions about the power of faith.

They question the law of Love and Justice left on earth by the religious founders. They do so fiercely. You should pay attention - especially the male and female dignitaries who have been appointed by the Divine.

Tonight speech will be most essential to questions about faith.

Last time, Bần Đạo explained to you that because there are many religions, human hearts and minds become diverted. Today, they attack the Law by saying, "If religion has a visible form and doctrine, certainly it must comply with the Divine form and doctrine. Why have religious founders formed religions that are different from each other? Some religious founders explain it this way, others another. It is clear that they are contrary to each other. How can humanity not be divided. How can it be united?

"The religious founders should examine their dharmas and their religious laws. Their methods are different from and often against each other. They are not in accord, especially regarding ideals and the spirit of virtue, so how can humanity avoid disunity? If humanity is not united, it is in trouble."

The temporal life is always divided and chaotic. The Divine Beings at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa can only sit and laugh. They tell us that the unjust laws of races on this planet are the result of differing ways of thinking, views and virtues. Even within one race or nation, people’s personalities also differ. For example, the Buddha (Siddhartha) did not think and behave the same as people from other races. But how can He lead the minds of humanity? Thanks to the law of Love and Justice, religions all guide humans to the Tao, i.e. worshipping the Divine and humans themselves, despite disharmony in religious laws. Regarding the law of the Buddha, He said, "…if I am not embodiment of both Love and Justice, this religion cannot be about Love and Justice." From the first day of creation until this very moment, on what foundation does He form His religion? Isn’t it Love and Justice? If it had not been so, He would not have sought a sublime philosophy and instilled it in the minds of humanity. That philosophy is called "benevolence."

If human beings do not have the same spirit as they do, and if they do not have Justice, good attitude, vast love and common views, then the Divine Beings will not humble themselves to uplift the spirit of humanity.

Lao Zi saw that humanity did not know its rank. Nor did they know their true identity. He was born in China at a time when humans became corrupted. They did not know of human dignity. There was neither true human conduct, nor self-respect. They did not believe in humanity. It was the nature of the animal. Without the philanthropy and kindness that awakened humanity at this time, there would have been no knowledge of their highest and most noble rank. And so, humanity were no longer animals. If there had been no Love or Justice, He would never have been able to form a religion like such (Daoism). He speaks not only to East Asia but also to Europe. He speaks about the true and sublime philosophy of the Dao. People who follow Him are countless. Regarding the truth, we only protect the spirit. Looking back, you can only see the spirit. Religious laws are also formed on the basis of Love and Justice. The visible methods they created aim to lead humanity on the spiritual path to the noble destination of Love and Justice. It is also part of human morals. Confucianism was formed by Confucius in China, because He saw that human morals at that time had been devastated and needed to be protected.

Lao Zi also saw that human dignity had degenerated. No longer did it have bearing on human psyche. Therefore, this great soul humbled Himself by reincarnating to earth, and established laws to preserve human morals as its fundamental basis. If one knows how to respect oneself and knows one’s position, i.e. the Divine Path, one will understand the Divine Laws and know the Supreme Being who created them. Therefore, one must abide by the Dao. He would never hold onto the name of the Supreme Being for private aims.

Lao Zi said the Dao is the highest and most respected of Ways. He said so in order to show the Law of Love and the Dharma of Justice. If the life of the universe was thus created, then life for humanity should be so determined, as well as life for all the races on this planet.

His laws are the opposite of the morals of this earth. The virtue upheld in the religion is an intermediary that today all nations are searching for.

Therefore, in the Cao Dai Faith, the Supreme Being has predicted that, "The Cao Dai religion is a banner signalling to all nations that the period of world-changing (world-improving) Confucianism has come."

The virtue of Jesus Christ, (that is, Christianity) is that if he had no philanthropy, he would not have offered his physical body for sacrifice to the Supreme Being. He was begging for forgiveness for the sins of humanity. So, he deserves to be loved. If we choose this as the model for people to follow, then Christianity gains the love of our planet.

If you intellectuals still object and debate, I will say, "Although there are a thousand paths, you must select one! You refuse to lead humanity by belief towards the law of Love and the Dharma of Justice. You may bring some documents of evidence in front of the three-religion-tribunal where you must beseech the court for mercy. I am sure you have no way to deny that you are guilty. No matter how much you argue, you cannot deny this guilt. If you deny your guilt, I would like to show clear proof that you are wrong:

The Cao Dai religion has been established. The Supreme Being has created the Faith for 24 years. He has come to sign the Third Alliance with humanity because humanity betrayed the Second Alliance. They did not keep their faith, and so they strayed from the Dao. Humanity is walking on the way to perdition. We fight and try to destroy each other. Because of Love and kindness, the Supreme Being has come and signed the Third Alliance. He has instituted it as a law to guide us.

The Divine Beings point directly to the Cao Dai Religion as an authentic Faith of benevolence. "Dieu et Humanité" - therefore, God and Humanity relate in terms of the Law of Love and Dharma of Justice. Although the law has myriad forms, they still revolve around this law of Love and Justice.

The Sacerdotal Council of Caodaism depends upon this ultimate invisible law to lead them to the invisible realm. The highest and most venerable place can only be reached by following the laws of the Cao Dai religion.

Besides the law of Love and Justice, all the rest are simply methods.

At the next sermon, Bần Đạo will preach about the powers which are the co-efficient of this law of Love and Justice.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bần Đạo - His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc refers to himself throughout as 'Bần Đạo' or 'poor monk'.

Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa- The Realm of Divine Beings who hold the power to control all human beings in a universe of many planets. The Realm (or department) of the Divine Alliance for preaching (The Dao).

17.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See 26th of December 1948
(Lunar Calendar 26th Day of the 11th month, year of the Mouse)

The Power of the Law of Love; The Dharma of Justice; and the Agreement between the Supreme Being and Humanity

Last time, Bần Đạo preached about the debate at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa about laws which religions have left on this earth. I also briefly explained the law and dharma of the Supreme Being which were meant for His Holy Body to implement his Third Covenant.

Bần Đạo has made you a promise, and thus I will preach now of the Law of Love and the Dharma of Justice. Bần Đạo has spoken briefly of the power of the law granted by the Supreme Being at that time. At that time, the laws bestowed by the Supreme Being on humanity were not governed by an agreement. His Grace Chưởng Đạo did briefly explain in order that we may understand how the Supreme Being has obliged His Holy Body and all humanity to follow the law of Love and the dharma of Justice. At that time, Bần Đạo asked him and he stated: “A Master is not the same as a father, so why is it that the Supreme Being called himself ‘Master’?” Then, His Grace Chưởng Đạo replied, “A father is worthy of being called ‘father’ and a master is worthy of being called ‘master’.” So now Bần Đạo would like to briefly explain the poem “Of the law of Love and the rule of Justice.”

His Law is Love His power is Justice

He knows only of virtue and nothing of secular desires,

As Father, I look after my children in silence

As Master, He places them on Divine pedestals.

That is, through the Third Covenant with heaven, He will oblige humanity, especially his Holy Body, to implement the law of Love and the rule of Justice.

And now, Bần Đạo would like to explain to you the capacity of this Law of Love and the Dharma of Justice. We all have seen in front of us the tangible mechanism of creation. Without deep analysis, we can understand it is born from the law of Love. All livings have a certain level of affection without which they would not be able to reproduce. If human beings do not love each other, they cannot become wife and husband. If they do not have this ability, they cannot have children to see their family extended; to bequeath children and grandchildren for humanity.

From the time of immemorial, the Law of Love has applied to all beings including humanity. If we would like to make it more noble and respectable, this law has to be enforced at the Ngọc Hư Cung and the Tây Phương Cực Lạc (Western Pure-Land, Sukhàvati), that is the Paradise of Extreme Joy. Except for the Creator, full essence of the Law of Love is manifested at the Cung Diêu Trì - the realm of the Universal Mother Goddess.

Indeed, if the Supreme Being did not have love, he would not create His second body; He is a friend, and the tangible Creator of heaven and earth. If we are afraid of this Creator, we are afraid of the creation of our own life. If the male or the female is afraid of the other, they will not become husband and wife. They must have an intense love to form a family. The Law of Love goes beyond a family to have bearing on people of the same race or nation.

In this way Confucius, established Confucianism on the foundation of human morals which is a very resilient and stable basis. Therefore, Confucianism has lasted over 2000 years, and still has this original impact. It still has enough strength to effect change in the world while also acting as a stable philosophy. Human morals come from Love. The Supreme Being obliges us to follow it, since we have signed the covenant with Him.

This agreement, which we signed with him, must be brought into effect. He required us to sign and implement this law so that we will not break faith with Him. Already twice, we have signed such agreements and we have failed Him twice. Now did we observe if on these last two occasions He imposed the law on us? Why not? Well, He did! But because He did not tell humanity, He did not oblige them. As He did not oblige them, the law was not followed through.

This time, the Supreme Being has not said so, but He certainly does oblige us. We are also required this time to implement the rule of justice. We do not need to seek heaven and earth. If Justice is not upheld in human’s mind and is not regulated, Bần Đạo is sure that the entire current organization cannot survive.

There is one noticeable imperfection. Humans are fighting and killing each other, because we would like to implement Justice as an instrument to govern the world. It is undeniable that humanity falls into chaos due to the lack of Justice. Justice is only a matter of talk amongst people. It is a method used by all countries to deceive humanity.

What the people call “justice” is not true Justice yet. The forms of justice differ among the powerful, the wealthy, the bourgeois, the honoured and the poor.

The justice of humanity as we see it now is false justice. This has resulted in the current wars while humanity resolves to form and enforce their ideals of justice upon each other. If there were true Justice, people would not go to these wars and cause these massacres. They use words and money to create a mere display of their own sense of justice. There is no true Justice yet, which means there is no law of Love and Justice one earth. Therefore, the Supreme Being obliges all His children, especially His Holy Body (or the Sacerdotal Council), to implement and realize the law in its essence.

This is why one sentence of the Supreme Being’s divine messages says, “As long as you still see one act of injustice on this planet, the Dao has not yet been achieved.”

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Chưởng Đạo – The head of the Society of Foreign Missions. This is His Holiness Nguyệt Tâm Chơn Nhơn (Victor Hugo). He was appointed to this position by the Supreme Being.

Cung Diêu Trì - The Heaven of the Creation under the Mother Goddess. It is a palace located beside The Precious Jewel Lake.

Ngọc Hư Cung - The Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of

God, Divine Jade Palace.

Tây Phương Cực Lạc - The Paradise of Extreme Joy.

18.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See 6th of January 1949
(Lunar Calendar 8th Day of the 12th month, year of the Mouse)

The True Happiness of Humanity

Today, Bần Đạo will continue to explain where the true happiness of humanity comes from. Bần Đạo have been describing to you the debates at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa. Those souls who are highly intellectual but lack virtue argue that only noble and respectable souls have the spirit, power and where-with-all to immerse themselves in the Four Noble Truths and reach higher Divine positions. The majority of other souls are unable to undertake, let alone resolve or conquer the Four Noble Truths. Furthermore, because humanity bears the weight of so much suffering, it is no wonder that we look for transitory happiness. They look for any kind of happiness that may help them liberate themselves from suffering, but there is only one way to seek happiness and that is through suffering itself. And so they generate sins from such wrong deeds, which only add to their karma. Therefore, Bần Đạo have brought you together so that we may find out the source of true happiness in our lifetime.

By the way, Bần Đạo will let His Holy Body and all the children of the Supreme Being use their knowledge to find out (in this talk) how the Divine beings at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa reply to that question. So tonight Bần Đạo will preach a little longer. Please be patient and listen as attentively as you can.

Whenever we want to preach the truth, we use the common dharma. This dharma is especially difficult, because it is the dharma summarised in a very concise way. Since after each ceremony everyone is tired, Bần Đạo do not want you, friends, brothers and sisters to be overly tired. Preaching is not easy. It is not like when our sisters go up to the stage and say a few things in two or three sentences Just like a bishop who goes up to the pulpit, but is hit by stage fright, it is not easy to preach because we do not have time to research our topics. During each sermon, Bần Đạo leave a white space for all the children of the Supreme Being and His Holy Body to add more. In this way, you will seek and gain more profound knowledge.

Bần Đạo is trying to pass to you a key, one that you can hold, so that you will guided through the all-encompassing conscience of the Supreme.

Let us discover where true happiness comes from in this lifetime. Bần Đạo often offer the advice that it is not easy to validate a truth or an abstract philosophy. We must have an absolutely thorough grasp of it. We can easily find the answer in our mind, for it is from the little things that you discover the lager truths. In order to resolve the suffering of this planet, people are venturing into the invisible realm to find happiness for humanity.

Alas, there are many wicked schemes along the way to happiness. What a pity for this humanity! They are longing for happiness and love through which they can live. Whoever initiates the creation of happiness for them will win their heart. They followed Hitler, because they thought that he could create happiness for them. The same is true for Italians when they followed Mussolini.

At the present, the human race is beguiled by those ideals which confuse and divide them. It is because of this misplaced longing for happiness that humanity is being deceived.

Let us contemplate what the true source of happiness is. Let us each recall from own memory the moments of happiness ever since our birth. We find none – it is all suffering. Therefore, Bần Đạo advise all of you to recognize the Four Noble Truths of the Sakyamuni Buddha as the ultimate Truth. The souls at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa cannot deny this fact.

We know that our life is suffering. From birth onwards, whether we are male or female, we must seek this source of our happiness.

When Bần Đạo reflect on my life, I see how much suffering I have gone through and how much happiness have enjoyed. Where should I start? I see that I was born into a family of both clemency and virtue. My father was an official in the French Colonial Administration. When I was at the age of 4, he attained a good position and the family lived well. If my father had have been corrupt and taken bribes, he would have been rich. My father, however, was very virtuous. He considered virtue the highest of goals. He often objected to injustice, especially oppression of the poor. Because he committed himself to helping people he had difficulty keeping his position. He was always defending the weak and the lonely, and objected strongly to the unjust authorities. Such people hated objectors like my father, and so he was eventually fired. He then returned to the family house to work with my mother as a trader to make ends meet. I was the eighth child and had a ninth younger sister. We lived as a herd of children in a ragged nest. My other brothers and sisters made their way in the world with their own families, but I remained with my parents because the second last must stay with the family. At that time, I thought I was unfortunate, but looking back, we all loved each other; that is, I love my father for giving life and raising me, and for his honest virtue. I love my mother who worked hard to care for our family, and my brother and sisters who studied hard because they loved my parents and did not want them to worry My parents would say, “If you do not study, we will be very sad.” It was because of love that I determined to study hard. Study is a natural virtue. I loved them so much, even more than others in the family, and I also loved intensely my brothers and sisters, especially when there was disharmony amongst them. Disharmony was always the biggest suffering. During those times, I tried and begged them to make up. It was the happiest time of my life; the time when all I knew was love.

My father passed away when I was 12 years old, so by the time I completed my studies and started working I was living with my mother. I loved her dearly and was worried that she would pass away. I did not know where I would go after her death. I was very worried even during sleep.

In Tây Ninh, burial often took place at night. When I heard them chant, I would wake up and look for my mother. She would ask me what I was doing. I would reply that I heard people going to a funeral and was scared that she would die. Because of this deep love, at 17 I decided to go to work in order to return thanks to her.

Bần Đạo at that time was living in Tây Ninh and people around here still remember this. Back then, I did not know anything, except the love of my mother. Also, my younger sister was going to get married and moved out of the family home. By then, I had passed my examinations and could earn high salary in a trading company. But I was still worried whether I could look after my mother. Furthermore, my brother in law advised that working for a commercial company brought no honour. Taking his advice, I decided to work for the government. My salary at the time was 70 – 80 piastres at most! I spent more than others but still had some left to look after my mother. When it went down to 20 piastres a month, I was in debt due to support for my wife. My mind was so caught up in work that it was now hard to look after my mother. How could I take care of all this? At the time, I suffered physically and mentally. It was a time I could not forget. Could I bring happiness to my family like this? No, not even until my mother passed away. At 22 years old, how sorrowful it was. I only knew one thing which was to work to look after my mother, and to support my brothers and sisters. When my honour was achieved, I was deeply sorrowful because both my parents had passed away. However I loved them, they were no longer with us. The mental suffering added up when my wife gave birth to our children. I could no longer care for anybody else. I was turning to my brothers and sisters for mental support, but they also passed away. All the familial love I had was directed to my elder brother-in-law. I loved him more than my blood brother. My youngest sister was the dearest friend in my life, but she also soon passed away. It was enough to turn me into a mindless dead body. The sound of birds, the songs of the farmers, and the voice of the boatmen all reminded me of my sorrow. There were no longer any days of joy, and all I wanted to do was become a monk. It was a terribly heavy weight on my soul.

Thanks to the Supreme Being, I was guided to spiritual enlightenment and relieved of suffering. And so Bần Đạo followed Him. The more Bần Đạo followed, His ideal the more I offered my soul to Him. Then He delivered a Profound Love to me – a love a million times deeper than that of a family.

If one knows how to practise the Way, then one knows the Dao/ Tao. If one knows the Đạo then one knows how to guide one’s brothers and sisters with the sense of this Profound Love. Then comes compassion for humanity floundering in its sea of sufferings.

Bần Đạo has lived through many years of suffering and all I know is that we must share and undertake these sufferings together. But our elder brothers and sisters have one by one disincarnated and returned to union with the heavenly father. They have left only Bần Đạo to shoulder the burdens of this suffering. We all suffer to build up the Faith, but you friends still remain so unconcerned, as if you were still new to the Dao at all. Bần Đạo have to take care of the religious work, to guide our younger brothers and sisters, and to look after the young children. Some do not help the Dao or protect it, but even change their nature.

On the other hand, Bần Đạo has offered my life for this religion. My soul has not been liberated from suffering, but has to endure more of it. What is the source of this agony? Amidst all of this, I can find happiness to live. If there had been no happiness, Bần Đạo would have already been dead at the time I was forced into exile (by the French to Madagascar), or during the time when the Dao was in a state of emergency. If there were no happiness to comfort my spirit, I would not be alive now.

Indeed, the happiness which comforts my spirit is the love that I have for the children of the Supreme Being, and the love of these million souls. This is true happiness.

Bần Đạo does not ask for it, but my physical body is strong and healthy. Its power keeps Bần Đạo alive in order to conquer suffering. Bần Đạo truly love His children, and I see that they have returned their true love to me. When there was no love yet, there were people who were jealous. Thanks to the love of His children, people have witnessed Love and Justice being manifested, as proof for my words.

Because of love, happiness is created, and the Faith has been established. In this moment, true happiness springs from the limitless love by the children of the Supreme Being, i.e. from the virtues they uphold. It is this happiness which enables me to live with strength and power. All of us should consider this point: whenever we accomplish a great cause or great work, its value remains as long as we can still enjoy its reward.

We can achieve great work, but not in a short period of time. It is impossible in a short time. If millions of people believe in it, we may even have to sacrifice our life for it. What is the value of one life? If we exchange our life for the happiness of millions, then why not?

I tell you now, if the Cao Đài religion can enjoy infinite happiness granted by the Supreme Being which has now come true, Bần Đạo have achieved great work for the children of the Supreme Being. Bần Đạo could only achieve this thanks to the incomparable power of the happiness I have been speaking of.

Next time, Bần Đạo will explain more regarding the power of love and the happiness of humanity.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa - The Realm of Divine Beings who hold the power to control all human beings in a universe of many planets. The Realm (or department) of the Divine Alliance for preaching (The Dao).

19.- Delivered in the Tây Ninh Holy See 13th of January 1949
(Lunar Calendar 15th Day of the 12th month, year of the Mouse)

The Supreme Being Created the Cao Đài religion in order to Create Happiness for All Human Beings and Peace for this 68th Planet.

In my last sermon, I left a question hanging: can the Cao Đài Religion produce happiness for all humanity and create peace for universal harmony?

Now we must answer it. We should not only believe in the Supreme Being, but we must also know He created this religion mainly to sign the third great covenant with humanity, to create happiness on Earth and allow people to enjoy profound happiness on this 68th planet. Certainly, we dare to believe that it will be achieved, especially because of the assurance by our spiritual elder brother, that is, the Spiritual Pope (Lý Bạch, Li Po 李白). He said,

A great belief begets a figure,

Already united living beings with the Supreme.

That is, the Cao Đài religion has been established, and will gradually progress towards its ultimate height.

We know that the Supreme Being has come and signed the agreement with this earth. We have seen how the agreements of human beings work, especially those amongst the great powers. Their agreements comprise of all kinds of clauses.

With the Supreme Being, there are only two articles:

1.      The Law of Love. He stipulates that we love not only each other, but also all beings.

2.      The Right of Justice. He designates the right of justice.

We have not seen any agreements which are as simple as this, nor so powerful. We have not seen agreements which can be carried into full effect, even until doomsday.

We have understood and believe that the new covenant will nevertheless be achieved, but we cannot determine the time. We only instinctively know and ascertain through our wisdom and intelligence the true physiognomy of the Cao Đài religion. The goal is to create happiness and peace for universal harmony.

We only need to use wisdom and knowledge to understand the power of the law of Love. It has been in effect ever since humans came into being. Without it, the Sakyamuni Buddha would never have founded his religion.

When the Buddha engaged in a fasting practice at Ream, there were four people who followed him. These four were not His followers, but went along to observe if he would reach enlightenment. When they saw Prince Gautama (that is: the Buddha-to-be) come down from the mountain and start eating and drinking again, these four people who had been waiting for him remarked that he had returned to an earthly life and had not attained enlightenment at all. They then walked away from Him.

When he went out to preach, he searched for these four people. They only joined Him after recognizing His authenticity. Among these four, there were only two that were essential to the cause, but at the end there was only one left that attained the way of the Buddha.

Daoism of Lao Zi had one disciple, and one servant, (Từ-Giáp), but only Doãn-Hỉ (Yin Hsi) followed Lao Zi and attained Immortality. Through him Daoism developed right through to our own times.

Although Confucius (Kong Zi, Khổng Tử) had 36 saints, 72 sages and 3000 disciples, He was not sure if any would completely realise his teachings. There was only one person who did, i.e. Master Sam. Upon His last breath, He called and said, “My way – only you know it.”

Jesus Christ had only half a disciple, because Saint Peter denied him three times, before he repented and confessed to Mary.

At the start, Muhammad had but one female disciple (Khadisha), and still Islam was realized.

We deduce that it is only Love. With only one person, or even half a person, who offered their Love, these religious founders could establish their religions on this earth.

We see that Caodaism is more fortunate than these previous religions. There were three disciples at the start, which is more than the others.

The true physiognomy of the religion of the Supreme Being is relied through His incomparable powers. It was sketched and moulded by those who followed His orders. May I offer my excuses to His children; it is not pride that makes me say this, but this hand has contributed a good part to that endeavour. Therefore, I would like to ask all of us to go through your memory while identifying yourself as part of this religion. If we recognize our true identity and combine all those identities to create that of our Faith, the Cao Dai religion will reveal itself as immense and boundless Love. It is formed from a natural beauty because it is drawn with Love. His Holy Body shall follow His Divine sketch to form a body of Love.

We are not dreaming. Neither do we deceive humanity. Everyone can see the evidence in front of them. Which power has created our current Faith!

The current power of the Dao originates from the law of Love. Therefore, no power can destroy it. It might be concerned about the law of hate, but how fortunate it is that even hatred cannot cause trouble thanks to Divine blessings.

It is formed from Love, and grows with Love. As the embodiment of love, the more it grows, the stronger it becomes. It will triumph over hatred.

For sure, I have defeated this hatred, when the parties and factions used their power to occupy the throne of the Supreme Being on earth!

I braved myself to fight them off and preserve the Divine physiognomy of the Dao. I have lost a great deal in shouldering all this hatred in order to maintain the true Love of His Holy Body.

I took courage to shoulder all hatred and protect the boundless love of our Supreme Being. I prevented it from being blemished or besmirched. Why did I dare make such sacrifice? Because I knew that it would become the Lord of the future. It would be the Master that teaches people how to govern the earth. If it were not complete or were blemished, it would not be able to guide humanity.

The sects at the time used earthly power to overthrow the religion. As the Hộ Pháp, who holds the orthodox power of the Supreme Being in my hand, how could I let them usurp the throne and become the heritage of the religion of the Supreme Being?

How fortunate that those powers would not harm the Holy Body of the Supreme Being. They were defeated, because in His Holy Body there is an imposing figure who holds the law, that is, he holds the sword of wisdom and enlightenment in his hand to protect the true religion. If it can realize its full potential, it can create the power for humanity on this planet earth in the future.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Doãn-Hỉ - Yin Hsi. Lao Tzu (Lao Zi, Lão Tử) wrote his only book the Tao Te Ching (Đạo Đức Kinh) just before he walked away from the Chou empire that he had served. One day Lao Tzu decided to take his leave of the city and simply started walking towards the distant mountain pass to the West. Arriving at the gate leading out of the Empire, he was halted by the gate keeper at the border. This was a man named Yin Hsi, who asked him, "Before you retire entirely from the earthly world, will you please write some words for our enlightenment?" Lao Tzu agreed and before he walked out through the gates and disappeared into anther realm, he left with Yin Hsi a slender collection of eighty-one short chapters verse consisting in total of only around five thousand words, which is now called Tao Te Ching.

Đạo Cao Đài - Cao-Đài Religion.

Đức Cao Đài - God, the Supreme Being.

Hộ Pháp - is the one who unveils the Mystery of the Invisible and is the Maintainer of the Rules and laws of the New Religion /The Cao- Đài Religion. It is he who pronounces judgments on dignitaries and disciples, who elevates the dignity of the faithful through their merit and brings sanctions against those who have committed faults. He is actively involved in assuring that the religious Rules and Laws which have become Divine Laws are carried out in detail, in order to keep the dignitaries and adepts free of the suffering inflicted by the Lords of Karma.

In so doing, he watches over the positive progress of disciples in the Way of God, and guide all evolved souls to achieve the Divine Phase of the Great Spirit. He holds control over the Legislative Power both exoterically and esoterically.

Khổng Tử - Kong Zi, Confucius

Lý Bạch - Li Po 李白, the Spiritual Pope of Cao-Đài Religion.

20.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 16th of January 1949
(Lunar Calendar 18th Day of the 12th month, year of the Mouse)

The Image of the Divine Mother on the Earth is the Image of Shiva; The Divine Extended Family of Each Soul will reunite at the Cung Diêu Trì.

For a while now, we have remained at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa.  We have learnt many interesting lessons regarding the nature of our spirit. We could stay forever, but, for now we must continue our progress along the Path to Eternal Life. Instead of leaving, we would rather invite friends here and spend time with them. And, of course, such a thing would be easy; when we stay at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa we realise that it is close to the Diêu Trì Cung (The Palace beside Precious Jewel Lake). This realm is our original womb. No wonder it is not easy for us to walk away. But friends, you must remember this; we are but passengers. It is very easy for us to have cold feet, because we have such an endlessly loving mother. Just imagine if you could see how this mother expresses her profound love for us? Yes, I have explained previously in these sermons the happiness that came from how my mother, who had passed away years before, entered into the spiritual form of the Great Divine Mother. All our mothers would show us their profound love.

In this realm, we can see those very primitive times when we were just matter. Then, we were transformed into humans and Angels. Finally, we achieve happiness and reach the position we so long to attain. When our second bodies reincarnated into the physical form, we saw the law of continual suffering. This manifests itself in the form and grandeur of the Cung Diêu Trì.

I would like to explain the most essential point. We see how our Divine Mother preserves our credits/ merits with care. It is not so different from how our mother treasures us this planet. Remember our holidays, such as Christmas or Noel, when a mother buys toys for her children? It is an expression of her love for them. After her child finishes playing with the toys, she takes them into the house. By her profound love, she keeps the toys in in good order. When the child grows to adulthood, she looks upon the toys as a trace of the child’s early years. So does our Great Divine Mother as She treasures our millions of lives. Every detail at her Palace helps us remember these traces of her endless affection for us.

Besides this, there is another essential point; it is at this Realm that we meet our extended Divine family. We will then understand this special kind of happiness.

You friends should consider that when we arrive at this realm we have the chance to rest here for some time. Now, here on earth even if we can create a great family, the most we can hope to live for is about 100 years. Whatever the number of years you have left to you, you still must die one day (and leave your family). Meanwhile, our extended Divine family are waiting for us right now, waiting in this place. They are expecting our return. They want desperately for us to return. They do not want us to waste our lives. What is that love like? It surely must be the love we experience since before our last departure. Its reminiscence evokes in us intense feelings. The most important thing for all of us to remember is that we are merely passengers. We might live over here or over there, for in this universe there are, as you know, numerous worlds.

At this time, we are living on the 68th planet. It is the most loving house we have. Around us, everyone seems to be afraid of death. It is this fear that causes their sins. If they understood their death, they would not be trapped in this sea of suffering. I am sure that in this universe this 68th planet ranks the lowest. We suffer the most. Our life on this planet is not worth clinging to. This planet is just full of suffering.

Now, we have seen some sights on this planet, I mean, we have seen the passengers going far from home, their relatives go out to the port and say goodbye. The ones who are leaving cry, and the ones who are staying also cry. They cry but yet they leave. If you are crying so much, why go in the first place? The people who are staying cry even more – if you are crying that much, why let them go? Why all the tears? Why leave?

For passengers at the door to Eternal Life, it’s just the same. However, we must continue our progress along this Divine Path to Eternal Life. We progress constantly and without limits.

Throughout this vast universe, we have to be part of the great work of the Supreme Being. There is no one soul who yet knows this limitless work. There is no one who can understand this work to its very end.

You, friends, should follow me in order to enter the Divine Door. We face two of the most essential things in this realm; that is, the Ngọc Hư Cung and the Cực Lạc Thế Giới. And when the time comes, I will guide you to the Cung Diêu Trì. I must also point out to you clearly that the Great Mother Buddha has descended to this earth in the form of the Shiva Buddha in India. You see Her statue on the Bát Quái Đài who carries a female form.

At the time (in the beginning), when the Supreme Being decided to divide His “Tánh” (i.e. His nature), He used the Khí (qi, energy) and his mystical dharma to beget and develop the physiognomy of the Buddha Mother.

The Buddha Mother belongs to the Yin, the Supreme Being to the Yang. When Yin and Yang are united, together they transform the cosmos and generate the living beings.

Regarding Shiva Buddha, we note that the Indian people sculpt a statue half of which has a female form, and the stature of which resembles a male’s. This is because at that time humanity did not distinguish genders. The Shiva Buddha creates energy (qi) and blood, while the Supreme Being creates the spirit. The Supreme Being is Buddha, and the Buddha Mother is the Dharma, who creates the living beings of the universe. These beings come from the essence (tinh, jing, material), and are called “tăng/ the sangha”.

The Spirit which is the Supreme Being divides and decides the development of the Khí/ Qi. The Khí/ Qi then begets the “tinh.” The Buddha is the Supreme Being, the Dharma is Shiva or the Buddha Mother, and the “tăng” constitutes the beings of this universe.

Therefore, Buddhism worships the Buddha Mother, of whom they are aware. Although people may not venerate Her, She is still there since the beginning of heaven and earth as the Creator of all beings.

Who is the Buddha Mother - we must know this. As we have eyes, we must know Her. Next time, I will guide you to enter the Ngọc Hư Cung, and we will examine the mystery of this realm.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa – The Realm of Divine Beings who hold the power to control all human beings in a universe of many planets. The Realm (or department) of the Divine Alliance for preaching (The Dao).

Cực-Lạc Thế Khí Giới - The Paradise of Extreme Joy.

Diêu Trì  Cung - The Heaven of the Creation under the Mother Goddess. It is a palace located beside The Precious Jewel Lake.

Khí – qi (c), energy.

Ngọc Hư Cung - The Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of

God, Divine Jade Palace.

Tánh - nature, pakati (p).

Tăng - the sangha or religious community.

Tinh – jing (c), material, essence.

21.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 9th of February 1949
(Lunar Calendar 12th Day of the 1st month, year of the Buffalo)

The Secrets inherent in what we have done, what we are doing, and what we must do: The relation between Angel and Animal in each of us

Tonight, we have been brought together to move along this Divine Path to Eternal Life.

As humans, we should follow the Dao that the Supreme Being spreads on this planet earth. We ourselves are creating the most sacred treasure, i.e. His religion. Previously, we came to observe the political organizations of the universe. At the “Ngọc Hư Cung”, we should understand who we are and what we are doing now. Don’t be surprised by the unexpected! We knew this during the debate at the “Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa.”

Human Beings, as I explained in that philosophy, have two special parts:

- The soul which is our mysterious spirit, created by the Supreme Being, and,

- The visible image, which is created by the Buddha Mother.

One part is visible, the other invisible. The invisible part is sacred and kind.

The visible part is still a separate organization, whereas the invisible part continues to progress all the way through the ranks of Genii, Saints, Immortals and Buddhas.

In the past, religions likened the human physical body to the form of an angel riding upon an animal.

From antiquity, philosophers have shown multiple examples of this sacred mystery. In France, we have “La belle et la bete” or the beauty and the beast.

In this way, all religions are essentially the same, that is, they all distinguish the two obvious entities. For example, East Asia Buddhism features the Manjucri Bodhisattva (Đức Văn-Thù Bồ-Tát) riding His white elephant, or the Từ-Hàng Bodhisattva (Đức Từ-Hàng Bồ-Tát) - that is Quan Yin Bodhisattva (Đức Quan-Âm Bồ-Tát) - riding Kim Mao-Hẩu, or the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Đức Địa Tạng Vương Bồ Tát) riding Đề Thính, and so on. They provide examples for the spiritual and physical parts of the human. To put it even more clearly, we see the mechanism of creation on this planet, and we can also see at work here the mechanism of husband and wife. We can see that one person alone can never achieve anything. Our hearts and minds must be unanimous so that we can bring our actions to completion. This is true of two souls special to each other; although they are close to each other, the two souls may never be unanimous.

The law of creation is essential and obliges humans to pay attention and to move towards self-discovery. This Divine law compels us to search for the key to our life. When one reaches the age of marriage, one needs to look for the other half. Otherwise, one’s life is not complete.

The law of creation requires us to solve our own problems as well as the problems of others. The male and female can seek to achieve harmony between them. But how do we make this law of creation balanced? We do it by understanding our physical body.

Now, angels and animals, how can they be harmonious? They do indeed have a method and by being united can live together. They progress up to their original Divine rank, that is, their Divine spirit.

This law allows us to formulate a question in our mind: can an animal and a human have the same law? No, an animal has its own law, and humans have their own as well.

Therefore, our physical body has its own law. And Divine law is different from it. These two laws cannot be mixed up. We can see clearly in front of us that each of us has a different quality, personality and nature.

The way an animal lives is not the same as us. We cannot feed rice to a horse, just as we cannot eat grass. And we do not walk on all fours.

A horse cannot sit at the same table as us; therefore any philosophy that allows people to question the spirit shows that an animal and a human cannot hold the same dignity.

The animal is the physical body that we carry; and the spirit (Ngươn Linh) our soul. The two are not equal and cannot merge with each other.

People often say that when they are enlightened, they can ascend in daylight and perform limitless miracles. These false dharmas do not exist. If they did, Tripitaka would not have left His body in the river after His journey.

We cannot attain sacred mysteries during our lifetime. Our physical body cannot achieve it. As an animal, it must follow the law of birth and death.

Only our second body can enter the realm of Eternal Life. In this realm, it is called the ethereal body.

At the door of the Ngọc Hư Cung, which holds the governing power of the universe, the laws governing our souls are different from earthly laws. The two laws regulate two different political systems. So we cannot imagine how one can be united with others. Therefore, many organizations which govern the universe are different from their earthly counterparts, even though there is a close relation between these two political systems. They cannot be united as a single system. This means that one cannot apply earthly laws in the Divine realm.

We must know what we are looking for. We are looking for the organization which enables us to attain a heavenly position all the way up to Buddhahood. We must attain the holy virtue of the Supreme Being. He Himself is the Buddha who created the universe and all other Buddhas. We should try to reach the same position as His.

This organization is not so different from those visible organizations that we can see around us; let us say that a child always wants to embody his father’s nature. Whatever the father can do, the child seeks to imitate him. This is entirely natural; it is part of our virtuous nature. Human souls, in fact any individual as I have explained, and no matter how earthly they are, all want to be God. It does not matter how base and earthly they are, they always want to be Lord of the universe, because they look up to the position. In the universe, souls are encouraged to give up their animal part and transform into a Buddha.

We cannot deny this philosophy. We cannot lead a base way of life. It is animalistic. This body may be strong for a period of time, but when it becomes weak and breaks down, we must leave it.

Similarly, we ride the horse, when it is healthy and strong. Sometimes, it can run a thousand miles. But when it becomes weak and old, it will die. There is no reason to consider that an animal is better than us. Therefore, we cannot consider this physical body better than our soul. For these reasons, intellectuals from the distant past until now are working very hard to uncover the origin of our life in relation to the universe. What is so important for them to uncover? We see one question hanging, “Why must their souls remain connected to such beasts?” Their spirit and spiritual nature are special. If it were not so, they would all be merely weak animals. They would never win over their own animal. Therefore, they must find for what reason they were created.

And so we see such humans never dare to stray from their “Dao.” If they do, they will be mere animals. They want to search for a way to offer their virtuous hearts and create value for their lives.

Therefore, this time I have disclosed a secret regarding what we need to search for. Next time, Bần Đạo will guide all of us to the Ngọc Hư Cung in order to thoroughly observe the politics of the universe.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bạch Nhựt Chi Thăng – Ascension in daylight

Bần Đạo - His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc refers to himself throughout as 'Bần Đạo' or 'poor monk'.

Địa Tạng Vương Bồ Tát - Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva(s).

Kim Mao-Hẩu - The yellow holy lion.

Ngọc Hư Cung - The Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of

God, Divine Jade Palace.

Nguơn linh (Nguyên linh) – the original soul.

Quan-Âm Bồ-Tát - Quan Yin Bodhisattva, Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin.

Từ-Hàng - the boat of mercy, to cross the sea of sorrows.

Từ-Hàng Bồ-Tát - Từ-Hàng Bodhisattva.

Văn-Thù Bồ-Tát - Manjucri Bodhisattva.

22.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 15th of February 1949
(Lunar Calendar 18th Day of the 1st month, year of the Buffalo)

The Philosophy of Civilization

Before Bần Đạo leads you all, children of the Supreme Being, along the path to eternal life, especially to enter the Cung Ngọc Hư, there is one essential point that you must know. If I don’t explain this before we enter the next realm, we will not fully understand. The children of the Supreme Being have no right to gainsay anything regarding the essence of the sublime philosophy of spiritual progress, especially the methods by which we can attain our heavenly positions. There is one essential philosophy on this planet that causes souls to be trapped in the cycle of rebirth and countless sufferings. It instigates us to fight for its progress and commit myriad sins.

Civilization (Văn Minh)! Today Bần Đạo will preach about these two terms: “văn” & “minh” - the civilization of this age. What is civilization? The root of this Vietnamese term is from Chinese. Văn means “words,” or “culture” or “literature” (wen). These are “words” we learn from others or invent ourselves. Minh means “transparent,” “clear,” or “bright” (Chinese - ming). Words which are clear and transparent help us discover ways that allow us to decide the future and maintain the progress of our lives. We use words in order to pass on our language so that we can develop our progressive way of life; or the way of life of the entire society. Our writing has maintained our progress so far. This is the complete meaning. Explained generally, “văn-minh” is “civilization.”

The term civilization has three additional meanings.

Firstly, it is the total of progress regarding intellectuality, standards and means of living which humans have developed and evolved according to their ideal concepts.

Secondly, it is the synthesis of social progress, or national progress. There are things that need to be preserved and yet may be pushed aside by new ideas and new developments. These novelties stimulate them to seek their goals of life, or develop their culture or happiness. If their ideals are achieved, they will preserve them and possibly discard new ideas.

Thirdly, it means the methods we use to nurture our spirit to triumph over materialization. These methods help us avoid an animal way of life. In our mind, we know that there is a Divine nature in us which makes us worthy human beings, and not lower ourselves to be like animals.

Of these three meanings, which one is correct? If we say all three are, we need to recognize that the last meaning is the most righteous. But why? It will lead humans towards happiness. Human beings can now fly across the sky like birds, dive into the oceans using apparatuses, and hang about in the clouds. Now they don’t walk across the earth but run; they don’t have to fly, but float in the sky; but this is not happiness. This is the path of civilization which people imagine creates happiness for humanity. True happiness cannot be achieved by embracing, comforting or indulging their physical body; neither by giving it illusional invincibility. True happiness can only be achieved by spiritual cultivation, not physical indulgence.

Since ancient times, we have seen many kings build great nations and achieve great cause. “Tứ-Hải vi Thiên-Hạ Chi-Giáo.” ( ? ). If we examine the lives of those kings from history, it is not even certain that they gained happiness. On the other hand, we have seen the drama behind the quote “…the bigger our name, the more difficulty we must face.” If any king is not satisfied in terms of their spirit, that cannot be happiness. It does not matter how wealthy and comfortable they are. If the spirit is not satisfied, there can be no happiness. Human beings always search for this sort of happiness. It is more important than their search for food or shelter. Wealth and honour can only satisfy their physical needs in a short time; such contentment can only last for several days. Physical indulgence will never bring lasting happiness, no matter how satisfying it is.

Therefore, civilization has brought a kind of fleeting happiness for humanity in terms of the physical and the temporal. This sort of happiness is no different from the dew that hangs on the grass. It is transitory, and only has face value. It cannot therefore be completely honourable.

The true sense of civilization should be to help people control their animal desires in order to moderate their survival on this planet earth.

During our temporary life on this planet, we might find ourselves satisfied, while keeping our physical desires in control. But we can only do this with spiritual virtue.

Once again, the true meaning of the term “văn minh” is righteousness (“văn”) and bright virtue (“minh”). Only when true civilization comes into being, i.e. a sublime faith is established on this planet, can we be truly happy. Only virtue can bring us true happiness.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bần Đạo - His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc refers to himself throughout as 'Bần Đạo' or 'poor monk'.

Cung Ngọc Hư - The Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of

God, Divine Jade Palace.

Tứ-Hải vi Thiên-Hạ Chi-Giáo - (?)

Văn-minh – civilization.

23.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 23rd of February 1949
(Lunar Calendar 26th Day of the 1st month, year of the Buffalo)

The Path to the Eternal Life has no limits

Tonight, Bần Đạo continues to preach about our progress along the path to eternal life. For a few days, we have postponed our talks while there are many things that we need to cover quickly, things we need to understand, because many are making their way back to the eternal home. Male and female adepts have to learn and become familiar with the way back.

We have progressed from the Diêu Trì Cung to Ngọc Hư Cung, that is, the realm which governs the universe. Needless to say, we are coming to a very important place. This is the place that both holds power over and directs the mechanisms of the cosmos.

Perhaps you would imagine that such power would be shared among a bustling and large group of governing officials; you would probably liken them to government on earth.

For example, wherever the location for a capital is situated, it will be full of hustle and bustle. I would like to confirm that this realm is not like what we would imagine.

I would like to remind you of and explain details of this realm step by step so that you, children of the Supreme Being, can understand as easily as possible. I will describe what I saw. All male and female believers, particularly the elders and the Divine appointed dignitaries must pay attention and remember this.

Bần Đạo will explain this scene all of you can visualize it in front of you. There is one thing that remains fascinating. When you leave the Cung Diêu Trì in order to continue your spiritual progression, here I confess that it is very hard to convince souls to go forward. The majority of souls enjoy the utmost happiness when they arrive at this Motherly realm. Particularly, those who endured a lifetime of intense suffering will enjoy limitless and incredible happiness in the company of the loving Mother. It is not easy to ask souls to leave Her, but it is essential, as the saying goes, “to experience the world and broaden your mind, rather than to stay home forever with our mother” (“đi cho biết đó biết đây ở nhà với mẹ biết ngày nào khôn”). So, we must progress and explore all about the Divine Path to Eternal Life, a way upon which we can go forever without end. We should keep going in order to learn as much as we can.

If ever we hold in our hands the infinite power like that of the Supreme Being, we have the chance of creating another universe as our great cause. The path of progress has no end, or limit. It is as boundless as the universe which we see in front of us.

If we see the banner of the Diêu Trì Cung unfurl in front of us and if we would like to find out where the Ngọc Hư Cung is, then we simply need to turn to our right.

We continue but this progression is not like before, because the scenes we see here are the most extra-ordinary and mysterious. We see myriad miracles which appear in the form of perispirit. Countless dharmas are manifested and there is nothing which we can imagine that does not immediately appear in front of us. These scenes are formed mysteriously and without limit. It is unimaginable.

On the path of progress at this point, we may wish to experience a miracle. For example, we might want to travel with incredible speed; by imagining this we can. Whatever we desire will be realized. This boundless world can never be fully visualized by our intelligence. The Eternal Path cannot be described in writing - it is impossible to capture this scene of indefinite delight.

We have enjoyed the delightful happiness of the Cung Diêu Trì, which we thought could not be surpassed, but the further we progress the more this delight increases. Keep going! Keep on going forever; on up towards the level of spiritual contentment which is boundless. However it is enjoyed, it is never depleted.

As we pass this way, we do not suffer from loneliness. As we pass we meet many, many close friends who warmly welcome us.

If we have seen a person who left his homeland and lived far from home but who now has returned to meet their family. Without explanation, all of us can understand how happy they would be. Let us imagine how much love fills our heart when we see our beloved friends on our path. It would take thousands of lives on earth to create such love. Our extended family have walked together with us on this path for those many lives. We experience an endless happiness which defies all words.

Bần Đạo dare to ensure you that in this realm there is no instance of cacophony, or whiff of sadness. There is neither sadness nor suffering. We keep moving with joy in our hearts. Suddenly, in front of us there appears an indefinite realm replete with beautiful palaces mysterious in their presence. These palaces are made of a crystal-like element which brightly illuminates with halo. In this realm, halos emanate in all directions - the physiognomy of this realm creates these forms.

Those who attained liberation found it a very mysterious realm when they returned to the Ngọc Hư Cung. It is indescribably mysterious because of the way it continually changes under the influence of the spirit. The form and shape of this place comes from our imagination. Any architect or engineer who sees this place will straightaway give up their career, because there is no way to create it on earth. I am afraid that they will not only give up their career, they may become insane for racking their brains over it.

When we get to this realm, we see our perispirit change its form to blend in with the surroundings. It can only enter this realm if it can assimilate to the nature and colour of this realm. If it does not, we must leave. That is our Pháp Thân (Dharmakaya), or mental body. It must blend in with this realm. There goes the prayer ‘Rấp Nhập Cảnh Thiêng Liêng Hằng Sống’ (prepare to enter the path to eternal life). When we have entered this realm, we think we see innumerable souls bustling around, but in fact it is not the case. We only see before us our extended Divine family cheerfully greeting us. This is the meeting place of our family, who have been with us from the time we attain the position of Ego (Tiểu Hồi) right through to the position of Monad (Đại Hồi). From this position, one can then reincarnate in order to attain the positions of Genii, Saints, Immortals and Buddhas. It may take up to millions of lives.

We see our friends, our extended family and our Divine lineage (Tông Đường). They are innumerable. After a warm welcome, they take us to a realm and tell us, “Over here you are not allowed to speak but only think; thinking here is the same as talking.” For example, I think I would like to see my brother. Then, naturally that thinking becomes saying, and there is my brother standing in front of me. In this realm, words are not used to communicate. Thinking replaces language. They tell us not to think of Genii, Saints, Immortals and Buddhas, because there are no such Divine Beings in this realm. These concepts are only used on the 68th planet. At the Ngọc Hư Cung, they do not exist.

We know that the Divine positions of souls do not denote hierarchy. There is only hierarchy on this 68th planet. We have seen each individual on this planet earth has a different spirit. With 2.7 billion souls on this planet, there are 2.7 billion people each with their different qualities, personalities and spirit. None of them have the same spirit with another, and so we can say that no two people are the same. Divine position does not determine the value of each individual. Each has their own position. Each life, they make certain progress. When one progresses, their position is reassessed. Each step is a new rank, which determines one’s class. No two souls have the same class because the positions are not the same. Each stands in their own position. No one can push you or raise a dispute over where you stand. It does not matter how much you refuse, you cannot pass on your position because there is no other position for you to occupy but the one you have. However, it seems these positions are already set up and available because you occupy one. Therefore, the Supreme Being says, “I have arranged great cause for each of you.”

Now, we need to talk about the order inherent in our quality. We have no rank. What can we use to determine where we are and to define our extended family?

Bần Đạo have seen the extended family of the Divine Beings from this earthly realm, this disturbed world. There are five planets (Kim, Mộc, Thuỷ, Hoả, Thổ) where humans live, and are able, from there, to attain liberation. Besides this, we also see the extended families of the Sakyamuni Buddha, Lao Zi, Confucius, Mohammed and Jesus Christ, but the most honourable is that of the Quan Yin Bodhisattva (Từ Hàng Bồ Tát).

Therefore, each family has mutual members with the others. For example, the soul Kim Thanh Quan descends to this world and may be born in the family of the Từ Hàng Bodhisattva or Confucius or Muhammad or the Sakyamuni Buddha. Therefore, these souls are closely related to each other. This is why the Universe bears our name. Even if we want to know the number of planets, we remain unable to. We only know the five where we live. We are unable to know everything, including the three thousand worlds and the other 11 worlds after that. Sometimes, we see Divine Beings descend into the world and it seems that they know everything about our spirit, just like many people in France know things about Vietnam. It may seem that they are talking about the unreal, but indeed they understand clearly the whole physiognomy of this planet. They know their mystic power and indefinite magic. Regarding our earthly life, it doesn’t mean that we should treat it badly, but we must train it. When we are able to return, our relatives will lead us to a realm where there is a book called “Thiên Thơ” (Gods’ records of the Divine Rules). When we open it, we see both our name and what we have done in our previous life. It all appears before us from this Divine book. From this material, we will be the judge of our own deeds. Whether we need to reincarnate or are able to attain a heavenly position, as well as the specific position will be our own decision.

The chief of this realm is called in earthly terms “Nam Tào & Bắc Đẩu.” At the “Nam Tào & Bắc Đẩu”, there is no one ruling over us; this is a place where we rule ourselves. There is nobody to decide our reincarnation, sin, merit or destiny. We decide them on our own. There is no law which can compel us. We have the prerogative and freedom to decide our fate.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Bần Đạo - His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc refers to himself throughout as 'Bần Đạo' or 'poor monk'.

Cung Diêu Trì - The Heaven of the Creation under the Mother Goddess. It is a palace located beside The Precious Jewel Lake.

Đại Hồi - Universal Monad.

Đi cho biết đó biết đây ờ nhà với mẹ biết ngày nào khôn - It is better to experience the world and broaden your mind than to stay forever at your mother’s home.

Kim, Mộc, Thuỷ, Hoả, Thổ - The five planets in the solar system

Nam Tào & Bắc Đẩu - Nam Tào & Bắc Đẩu are the two Immortals who are in charge the registration of the birth and death of human beings on the earth. Nam Tào who is in charge the registration of birth and Bắc Đẩu who is in charge the registration of death.

Ngọc Hư Cung - The Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of God, Divine Jade Palace.

Pháp Thân - Dharmakaya

Rấp Nhập Cảnh Thiêng Liêng Hằng Sống - prepare to enter the path to eternal life.

Thiên Thơ - Gods’ records of the Divine Rules.

Tiểu Hồi – Ego.

Tông Đường - literally ones ancestral temple. The Hộ Pháp also uses this term to refer to our wider Divine family whom we meet in returning to heaven.

24.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 27th of February 1949
(Lunar Calendar 30th Day of the 1st month, year of the Buffalo)

Our sins are recorded by our own Spirit. Therefore, there is no way we can deny them.

Today, Bần Đạo continues to preach about our progress on the Divine Path to Eternal Life.

Last time, I took all you children of the Supreme Being on to enter the Ngọc Hư Cung. I would like you to see that this realm records all the karma and the lives of humanity.

Today, I will explain it in more detail so that we can understand clearly why the whole political organization of the universe is so vast.

Let us recall the 3000 worlds, the four great heavenly regions, and the 72 planets. Let us talk about the 72 planets where our souls are tested. In the twelve worlds of the 72 planets, the last and smallest planet is the world into which we descend to pay off the wrong doings and debts from our previous lives. There are five planets on which humanity dwells.

We here belong to planet number 68. And let us recall humanity on this planet. There are more than 2700 000 000 human beings. Just imagine a globe which is 100 times bigger than planet 69. Would you know how many human beings there are in this vast universe? If we imagine the political system of the universe which looks after the life of each and every individual, what power is needed to govern this great political system? We should investigate where that subtle and sacred power is from? Where can we find it? How should the governing organization of the world be modified to bring it into accord with the political organization of the universe? Only then will humanity have peace. It is when the physical is in harmony with the spiritual. Because all of humanity has not yet attained the Dharma and the sacred secret, it is still in chaos. We have witnessed, and we cannot deny this condemnation. It is the punishment which is reserved for us, and which we cannot avoid.

The governing power renders it reasonable. Why? Because this organization holds the dharma and boundless power which control the whole universe. The condemnation and the invisible guilt of humanity are recorded by our spirit. How can we deny the guilt? It is our spirit that records and decides for us. All our sin is displayed in front of us from our Ego (Tiểu Hồi), through numerous reincarnations to the Monad (Đại Hồi). All our activities, relations, and karma from all our lives are recorded in the Vô Tự Kinh (The Divine Wordless Scripture). We decided ourselves to carry out those actions, so how can we deny that we have done them? Even if we want to deny what we have done, we cannot do it. Our very spirit will be the sole judge with no involvement by anyone else. This is what we are afraid of.

When a judge on this planet has to pronounce a sentence, often a lawyer is present to plead on our behalf. But in this realm, there are no lawyers to plead; it is we who must decide our own sentence. This is the ultimate secret power which governs the universe. We are allowed to be our own judge. Who else can defend us? We cannot argue or deny the guilt from our condemnation, because we decide it ourselves. Our spirit cannot be bypassed.

Additionally, there are two classes of souls.

- The first are those who come to earth in order to resolve the bad karma generated from their previous lives. We should call these souls sinners who come to correct their actions.

- The second are those who come to enrich their knowledge of life and/ or to gain a heavenly position.

If we endure the condemnation ourselves, this is not so much suffering. However, the law of the universe obliges our extended family, or our Tông Đường, and our ancestors to endure with us. They witness our punishment and that for us is the real suffering.

Souls who bear the karma of their previous lives, on their return to the Ngọc Hư Cung, are welcomed by their entire Tông Đường. They observe the path along which the soul has passed, and if the karma has changed or if more sins have been committed. There are souls going towards perfection, and gaining secret dharma as they ascend. Then, there are other souls who fall to the animal level, and commit more sins. In the latter case, the whole Tông Đường must share our guilt, which causes us a lot of pain.

We must know that souls who can enter the Ngọc Hư Cung have attained liberation. Others who have their Dharmakaya tainted with bad karma inflict a great deal of suffering on their Tông Đường.

Bần Đạo has said that the Divine extended family (Tông Đường) normally resides at the Ngọc Hư Cung. The most respectful and honourable of these is the Tông Đường of the Quan Yin Bodhisattva, (Từ Hàng Bồ Tát); the second most respectful is that of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Địa Tạng Vương Bồ Tát); and the third most respectful is that of the Maitreya Buddha. These are the three most respectful and honourable Tông Đườngs. There are, of course, many other Tông Đườngs. Everyone of us has a Tông Đường wait here for us to return.

Everyone, because of their Quả Kiếp (our karma from previous lives) is sent to earth to pay back as a form of punishment. Instead of following the perfect path towards creating for ourselves a heavenly position, we might in fact be creating sins which will result in gruesome suffering.

Another class of souls are Du Học (those who Study Abroad), that is, those coming to investigate a dimension of life. They will use this knowledge to establish for themselves a heavenly position. Nothing on earth affects this class because their Tông Đường decides to send them off to learn.

We have seen the upper-class who let their children study abroad. They study there in order to increase their knowledge and perfect themselves. If they pass their exams with good results, everyone is happy. If their studies are mediocre, it does not really matter. Suppose we have a child who studies in France, but does not study hard. At the end of the month, his results are sent home and they are not good, including morals, geography, and technical lessons. We might laugh and say he is lazy. So we write him a letter asking him to concentrate harder on these subjects. He is not really good yet, only of average level. Those friends come to earth and keep their faith carefully. They do not want to come down, but if they do then they act with nobility. They never lower themselves to commit sins.

We have seen how the universe wields power to make us afraid of inflicting pain on our Tông Đường. When confronted with the love of our Tông Đường, we stand facing a great punishment from the spiritual realm. It is such a severe punishment that it sets fear into every soul.

Why did the Supreme Being come to gather all His children to establish this visible Holy Body? Why? Because if He can establish the universal law on earth, all of His children will be able to attain liberation. One day, they will attain a position in the realm of Eternal Life. There is no happiness in this earthly realm that could ever compare with the realm of Eternal Life. That is where we find true happiness.

What is the Holy Body of the Supreme Being? It is the power of uniting all the laws of love offered by the Supreme Being who will preserves them in His heart. Each reincarnated individual is part of the Supreme Being, who is sewn by the law of love deep within the heart of each individual.

We have seen that the Supreme Being has established his Holy Body using love. He has said, “You have been enjoying the right of endless love. You children should pass it on to your younger brothers and sisters, from this century and on to other centuries.”

The punishment that we are most afraid of in the earthly realm is that of banishment. What is banishment? To be banished is to be expelled from our great family, the great Tông Đường which the Supreme Being has established for us. It is essential to keeping us from straying sway. This is what we should be afraid of.

Whoever is expelled, that is whoever is abandoned by their great family. Once abandoned, we will live like animals and will not be able to find happiness by ourselves. The law of nature will compel our flesh to grow old and die, and we will cease being alive.

The right of the Sacerdotal Council to banish is not different from being expelled from the Tông Đường of the Supreme Being. To be expelled in this earthly world is the same as up there; the physical and the soul are subject to the same effect.

The day we no longer belong to the Tông Đường of the Supreme Being is the day we are dishonoured. It is not worrying if we can live and resolve our karma. The real fear is when our Tông Đường suffer dishonour.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Đại Hồi - Monad.

Địa Tạng Vương Bồ Tát – The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Ngọc Hư Cung - The Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of God, Divine Jade Palace.

Pháp Thân - Dharmakaya, Ethereal (astral) body.

Quả Kiếp - Our predetermined karmic life.

Tiểu Hồi – Ego

Tông Đường - Literally ones ancestral temple. The Hộ Pháp also uses this term to refer to our wider Divine family whom we meet in returning to heaven.

Vô Tự Kinh - The Divine Wordless Scripture.

25.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 3rd of March 1949
(Lunar Calendar 4th Day of the 2nd month, year of the Buffalo)

The Phục-Linh Realm where we find our Extended Divine Family.

Before I continue to explain our progress on the Path to Eternal Life, I would like to impart to you some advice on the method of presenting a dharma talk, that is, speaking of the Dao.

For nearly two years, I have been looking for ways for the entire Holy Body of the Supreme Being to preach our teachings. We all know that it is essential to teach humanity for their salvation. Thanks to preaching, the Dao will be manifested; that is the essential truth of the Supreme Being.

When preaching, we need to pay attention to the objectives where the focus of the audience should be. We must hold the spirit banner so that we can concentrate on our philosophical discourse.

I have seen one thing that should be rectified. There is a person who goes up to the stage to speak on the subject of the South. When he preaches, he starts talking about the North instead. It is no different an example than when I say that I am determined to go to Saigon and all the people look to the direction of Saigon, but when I start to go, I walk in the direction of Phnom Penh. People would not understand this at all. Therefore, after people listen to the discourse, they do not understand at all. Preaching should follow certain rules. Like a poem, a sermon must have a subject, prosody, stress and metre, and there must be an introduction, middle and conclusion; we must follow certain structure.

The Supreme Being has taught us much about the rules of preaching. Cao Thượng Phẩm and I practiced for two to three months. When Cao Thượng Phẩm went up to the stage to preach, I played the role of the audience. We had to practice; without practice, we would have been unable to do it. We must follow the prosody of Tang Dynasty poetic conventions; we cannot simply speak without rules. Besides, there are also Phù-Tỷ, Hứng-Thú; we must learn these by heart. A good sermon is delivered with rules, melody, literary style and eloquence. There should also be variety in words.

- Tỷ is a method of speech, where we “Quan-Tiền Vũ-Hậu”, i.e. we have to utilize stories from the past and the present in order to explain and highlight noble and lofty arguments.

- Hứng is a method of speech where we immerse ourselves into the situation and recognize the phenomenon of the earthly world. Likewise, the spiritual and the temporal are closely related to each other. Whether our sermon is relevant depends on our ability to understand the mentality of the audience and to explain our content clearly to them. In order to preach correctly and clearly, we have to rely on Scriptures, Classics and Laws, e.g. the Four Books and the Five Classics. Laws refer to those used to govern the world since ancient times. All three should form a framework for our sermons. We must study hard. It is not easy but must be done so that we can present in the proper language of the Supreme Being. It will enable us to impart His truths to the mind of humanity. Otherwise, He will be speechless! We must be able to speak His words.

From now on, Bần Đạo will force you to listen attentively. If there is any wrong speech, you will face serious punishment. You have received teachings for two years, and such mistake cannot be waived. Do not complain if you are punished. Bần Đạo have already warned you.

Now, the whole of our Tông Đường (i.e. our Divine family) will guide us to a realm called Cung Phục Linh. Friends, you know that there are extremely numerable spirits. If it were like this earthly world where we use language to communicate, it would be terribly noisy. But here language is not necessary. It is an extra-ordinary political system. As I continue to explain further, we shall then see an unimaginable political system.

The language in that realm is replaced by thinking. For example, if I want to go somewhere, people would instantly understand that I would like to be over there. The other souls also think in place of talking. We see countless souls who are familiar, loving and close to us. At that door, we never see a person who hates us or who is not friendly with us. There is one thing you brothers and sisters must remember, always.

I will explain that it is related to our lives. When we are about to enter this door (to the Cung Phục Linh), those brothers and sisters in our Divine family tell us not to be afraid and to remain calm and cool. Do not flinch if there are changes in us. Even if we are told beforehand, when we enter we will become insane and unconscious. As we enter, we are overcome by ignorance and don’t know what it is or where we are. We don’t know anything until we wake up and see a Buddha in front of us who holds the Kim Câu, and Hộ-Pháp who performs dharma (Bắt Ấn) to hold still our spirit. This Buddha is not unfamiliar to us; He is Phục Linh Tánh Phật. He holds the Kim Câu or mystical staff which is used to restore memory from each of our former lives. Every time he waves this staff, we see another life. Eventually, we see every life we have been through. We go back from the level of Đại Hồi (Monad) to the level of Tiểu Hồi (Ego), and from there to our inanimate lives. All of us are evolutionary souls (hoá nhân); no one on this planet earth has original soul (nguyên nhân). The original souls have all attained liberation in the Tam Chuyển period (the Third Kalpa). The rest are hoá nhân (men of evolutionary souls) who transform from material.

I would like to point out a fact about the Maitreya Buddha who is now holding the power of the universe. During the Seventh Kalpa, this planet earth had not sloughed of its skin. At the time of the last judgment, the Maitreya Buddha was still a monkey as a servant of the Sakyamuni Buddha; and the Sakyamuni Buddha was a black rural dweller. In the middle of the later Third Kalpa, the Sakyamuni Buddha achieved the level of Bodhisattva, and then Buddha.

Maitreya is going to reach Buddhahood this time. He holds the power in order to become a Buddha. The Sakyamuni Buddha came to this earthly world, the 68thplanet earth, at the time when it had not sloughed off its skin. He transformed his soul gradually. Therefore, the totality of his life on this planet earth is about 1.500 million years.

When we enter the Cung Phục Linh, we must go backward to the material level. When we go back into our original soul, it seems as though this soul is still living in the domain of the material.

In a moment, I will lead you into the Cung Ngọc Hư where the Divine Beings communicate with us. The Being who reigns at the Huỳnh Kim Khuyết is Ngọc Hoàng Thượng Đế (The Jade Emperor) or also Đại Thiên Tôn (The Most Respectful and Greatest of Beings in Heaven). He holds two positions, Ngọc Hoàng Thượng Đế and Đại Thiên Tôn.

To summarize, when we are fully Phục Linh (resuscitated), we then see the whole universe as our friends and family. Numerous souls stand in front of us, but none of them are strangers because all souls have the same foundation and the same virtue. That is the secret of the universe.

As I mentioned, when we enter the Cung Phục Linh, we lose our consciousness. We see that we are nearly reaching the end of what we should call the “new-born” path. As “new-born”, we know nothing. During our lifetime, we were once ignorant and when we die we become ignorant again. It is from this ignorance that we are revived. This is both the mystery and the secret. If we do not lose our consciousness, we would know our previous lives. When our spirit is wakened up, we become sane again. As people often say, we become ignorant because we drink the soup of forgetfulness (cháo lú). If we enter the Cung Phục Linh and we do not lose our consciousness, we will know of our previous life and cannot continue to live; and so we must die. This is the secret. Once we resurrect ourselves, we will see the Creator of the Universe, who is also the Jade Emperor, or the Đại Thiên Tôn, reigns at the Ngọc Hư Cung. He seems to be inviting us to come over to this place in order to unite with Him. One must come to see him. Even if our Tông Đường and friends hold our hands at this stage and ask us not to go, our soul will still leave for the Ngọc Hư Cung.

Now we arrive at the Cung Ngọc Hư which holds the political power of the Universe. There are no stars or suns in this universe that are not under the control of the Ngọc Hư Cung.

The power that governs the earthly world is often associated with the image of the Cửu Trùng Đài. Does it govern anyone? I have explained that the soul governs the self and the Ngọc Hư Cung only conserves and blesses us. It wants these souls sanctified. Often they are not blessed because of their karma. Governing this realm is a Buddha who watches over each being, and who is not very severe. Many souls know their karma is so serious that they no longer want to live. Their karma is so heavy that the Divine Beings would only want to lessen it or seek ways to mitigate it.

In the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa, the main point is to let the offender be their own judge. In this way, they wake up to themselves in recognizing their karma as non-imposing, in order to determine their own punishment. It is opposite to secular thoughts. The offender is their own judge, while the governor is only there to protect that soul’s happiness and lessen the sentence. This is what is meant by “the political power of the universe;” the power is to bless and reduce the punishment, rather than to accuse or judge. Both the sentence and judgement are up to us. Even if we had a lawyer here, we still would not be able to pass. The Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa is a place where we incriminate ourselves and which cannot avoid. This is the political system of the universe. Therefore, when we arrive at the Cung Hiệp Thiên Hành Hóa, in case we committed sins in our life then the Divine Beings seem to be worried. Paradoxically, they worry but we do not; they worry for us. They worry that we will pronounce too onerous a sentence upon ourselves.

Therefore, the Ngọc Hư Cung is a place where the souls of the universe are comforted. They hold power in the universe to guide and protect, but not to govern. Souls govern themselves; you friends must remember this. You, brothers and sisters, must understand this secret particularly to awaken yourself. While on earth we must judge, control and punish ourselves in advance. We should rule ourselves now in order that when our soul ascends, we are not upset, and do not incriminate ourselves too seriously. Although we might not need strict self-discipline, we should learn to rule ourselves. There is no need to be afraid, as the Supreme Being uses the term “repent.” This term is so beautiful in the sense that we do not have to rule ourselves. Such is the right of the Ngọc Hư Cung as such.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bắt Ấn – Perform dharma; A mystical gesture of the hands.

Cao Thượng Phẩm - His Holiness Cao Quỳnh Cư. Thượng Phẩm is the leader of the Spiritual Realm helping the Cửu Trùng Ðài to abide in an atmosphere of harmony; He reveals the Heavenly Voice to virtuous souls, and guides them towards their Divine Place among the Great Spirits. At the same time, he closes behind them the Door of spiritual regression. The leader of the Spiritual Realm symbolises the Holy Doctrine (The Dao). Wherever the Heart of the Eternal exists the Thượng Phẩm can be found. He is concerned with the religion’s meditation cells as well as the temples and churches of the Faith. He supervises all disciples and defends them against abuse by the authorities.

Cháo lú - The soup of forgetfulness.

Cung Ngọc Hư - belongs to the Hư Vô Heaven. This is the Heavenly Council of the Eternal Law which controls and maintains the Divine Law. It also controls the progress and movement of the universe.

Cung Phục Linh - Phục-Linh Realm.

Cửu Trùng Ðài -九 重 臺, The Path of Nine Divine Planes, The Path of Nine Degrees of Evolution, The Episcopal Hierarchy of Nine Degrees.

Dao - Đạo (Vietnamese), 道- Dao, Tao (Chinese), the Way.

Đại Hồi - Universal Monad.

Đại Thiên Tôn – The Most Respectful and Greatest of Beings in Heaven.

Hoá nhân - Evolutionary souls. Men of evolutionary soul, the evolutionary being.

Huỳnh Kim Khuyết -黃 金 闕, the gate of pure gold at the realm where the Supreme Being holds meetings with the Heavenly Council.

Kim Câu - 金鉤, Kim Câu is a special and mystical staff of Thái Thượng Lão Quân who is Head of Daoism. It is used to direct the Immortals. It is a golden miter of Thái Thượng Lão Quân who is the Master of Daoism. He uses this miter to direct and control the Immortals. He who holds this golden miter is representative of this Master and all who follow Him must obey its instructions.

Ngọc Hoàng Thượng Đế - Jade Emperor.

Ngọc Hư Cung - The Heavenly Council of Eternal Law, The Court of God, The Council of God, Divine Jade Palace.

Nguyên nhân - Original souls. Man of original soul.

Phục Linh – To resuscitate your former lives for your soul to examine them.

Phục Linh Tánh Phật –  The Buddha who holds the Kim Câu or golden and mystical miter which He uses to manifest each of our former lives and we see them resurrected in front of us. Every time he waves this staff we see another life. Eventually, we see every life we have been.

Quan-Tiền Vũ-Hậu - Which means you have to utilize stories from the past and the present in order to explain and highlight noble and lofty arguments.

Tiểu Hồi – Ego.

Tông Đường - Literally ones ancestral temple. The Hộ Pháp also uses this term to refer to our wider Divine family whom we meet in returning to heaven.

26.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 7th of March 1949
(Lunar Calendar 8th Day of the 2nd month, year of the Buffalo)

The Method of Governing the Universe Lies in How We Govern Ourselves

Today, we invite each other to progress along this Divine Path to Eternal Life.

Dear Divine Dignitaries of the Hiệp Thiên Đài (Legislative Body), Cửu Trùng Đài (Executive Body), male and female believers and senior adepts,

I began explaining your progress on the Path to Eternal Life mainly to instill it into your minds. Since the time we started, we have covered many subjects so that you would be able to broaden your mind. I am sure we have not yet reached a critical situation.

Know that I am only holding your hands into that realm where you can observe yourself and discover your true self much more easily. Doctrinal sermons may not be possible for you to fully understand. We see and remember only by entering the Eternal Realms can we know the truths. The Supreme Being only wants all His children to see the Truth. He does not want His children to see illusions. His Truth will never tolerate such illusions. If the meditation hall is not opened yet, please understand that it is not my fault. The exoteric duties already take 24 years of hardship in both the heart and mind, from youth until old age. Yet, we have still not finished 6 or 7 out of the 10 (stages). Honestly, I can say that no one has slaved as much as I did.

After enquiry, I learned that it is not my duty to do this, but I have to take care of. Sometimes, the situations saddened me so much that I would have liked to give up. I just cannot, knowing that there is no one to guide the children of the Supreme Being. As your temporal life is still rife with hardship, how can I abolish your spiritual life!

I would like to carry on to guide us out of the “Nam Tào, Bắc Đẩu” realm. When we see the Divine Wordless Scripture (Vô Tự Kinh), we will understand our merit and/ or karma. All our merit and/ or karma can be understood in this realm.

Today, Bần Đạo will continue to explain the politics of the universe. Previously, Bần Đạo have already mentioned where the political power of the universe comes from? The method of governing the universe is in fact the power of self-control; we control ourselves. Humanity governs itself. The universe is vast and boundless. No legal or governing body can rule over it. Of the activities of the universe, the most particular is this secret mystery wherein the individual controls the self. The mystery is key to His judgement.

Bần Đạo have said neither the sentence nor the guilt can be rejected, because one judges and condemns oneself. This is the most abiding power of the universe.

The individual controls the self and the politics of the universe does not sway from this essential point. This infinite mystery of the Supreme Being is His only governing instrument to determine the flow of the universe. Each soul has the right to govern itself, which is why the political system stays stable and strong (in this divine method it is stable and nothing can challenge it). Now we can see that the governing system is stable, and the whole spirit of the universe is so unanimous that we are able to govern ourselves.

Bần Đạo have said that the most suffering we worry about is seeing our Divine family condemned. Our relatives in this Divine realm bear our shame, mockery and criticism. . Because of us, they are threatened and abandoned in the realm of eternal life, and thus lose their status. This should concern us the most. Therefore, Bần Đạo would like to point out the true physiognomy of the universe, that is, the truth of the universe. Can we attain that truth on earth? Yes, we can.

Bần Đạo only need to show how our Vietnamese race, that is, the civilization of China, came first to develop tools. Bần Đạo have said that this planet earth has reincarnated backward, and it has already gone through three transitional periods. Its previous lives allowed it to reach its seventh transition at the end of which its physical forms were destroyed and transformed. In this life, it has arrived at its third transition. When it reaches the seventh transition, it will be destroyed again. Or it will be brought back to its third transition. The first four transitions create gorillas and the black races.

During the first transition, human beings act only to protect themselves. They might gather together in small groups for mutual protection. At this time, because animals are more powerful than humans, mutual protection was the only human concern.

The second transition leads to the age of craft, when humans seek methods of independence, weaponry and unitedness. Tribes would gather in their struggle against wild animals. The Divine plan at the time was much of crudeness. In the second transition, humans have not settled and are subject to many kinds of plagues. There are many forces which can destroy humanity. Thus, they have to defend themselves by developing armies, weapons and other means of self-defence which they call craft.

In the third transition, societies are formed together with races. But what is a society? It is a reflection of the Divine politics. Let us think and find the truth. At this moment, the third transition has been over, and here comes the first era of the fourth transition (which has three eras). This is the period when humanity unites together, all of them on this planet, to realize the doctrine of universal egalitarianism. Humanity has to establish a stable political system so that there can be unity. This is a beginning that creates a polity of unified harmony for humanity. Actually, China has once attained this secret dharma (Bí Pháp). The various families lineages the Lưu’s, the Trần’s, the Lý’s, each of whom used to have their own (heavenly) family in order to govern themselves. In this way, the Emperor rarely faced trouble when governing the people. If a member of any lineage was found guilty, the entire lineage would be accountable to the Emperor for his or her actions. Therefore, the political system of ancient China was amazingly stable and strong. Any failure is because the Chinese have replaced their old systems by new ones. Such divergence has destroyed the precious and durable traditional political system. Their ancient system is similar to the method of governing the universe. Vietnam has its cultural roots from China, and so we have already had the political system which is based around family lineages. If we would like the people to unite in harmony, at least our great families must be united first. We must go from the details to the bigger picture.

As a result, Bần Đạo advise the Charity Body to re-establish family lineages as they were in ancient times. This is the secret law towards great harmony, and the political organization of Vietnam. This is a fundamental point which is needed now even more than before.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bí Pháp - Secret Dharma, the esoteric (or occult) teaching/ the esoteric doctrine.

Cửu Trùng Đài - Literally means the nine-level palace. The Executive Body of Caodaism which takes charge of the administration of the Religion and its missionary activities. It also refers to the Temple of Nine Degrees of Evolution or Nine-level Palace. - 九 重 臺.  The Path of Nine Divine Planes, or the Path of nine degrees of evolution. The Episcopal Hierarchy of Nine Degrees.

Điển -典, ancient books.

Hiệp Thiên Đài - Literally means the Temple of the Divine Alliance, The Heavenly-Union Palace. The Legislative Body which has the duty of communicating with the occult/esoteric power to receive divine messages, to preserve religious laws and listen to complaints of the unhappy, in order to symbolize equality in the Religion.

Kinh - Sacred books.

Luật - Law.

Nam Tào & Bắc Đẩu - Nam Tào & Bắc Đẩu are the two Immortals who are in charge the registration of the birth and death of human beings on the earth. Nam Tào is in charge the registration of birth, and Bắc Đẩu is in charge the registration of death.

Tông Đường - Literally ones ancestral temple. The Hộ Pháp also uses this term to refer to our wider Divine family whom we meet in returning to heaven.

Vô Tự Kinh - Divine Wordless Book.

27.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 11th of March 1949
(Lunar Calendar 12th Day of the 2nd month, year of the Buffalo)

The Secret Dharma that Liberates the Self

Today, Bần Đạo continue to preach about the Path to Eternal Life. I have noted that after worship all of us are tired. We find it difficult to sustain our concentration for a long sermon. Additionally, a long sermon will be both tiring and hard to completely understand. For this reason, I will only preach at moderate length. If I go on too long, my words may turn into nonsense. On the other hand, if I preach too short, the topic would not be adequately addressed. This is why I must keep these talks at a proper length. In this way, all the children of the Supreme Being will not be tired but be happy to listen. Tonight, however, Bần Đạo will preach a little longer than usual because of the nature of our topic. Please excuse me if you are tired.

Last time, I explained how we enter the Cung Phục Linh (Phục Linh Realm). Tonight, Bần Đạo will explain this process in a little more depth because it contains a secret dharma to liberate ourselves. I want you to know in advance that liberation can be attained through the secret dharma of the Supreme Being which He granted to this religion. I hope that you will pay close attention.

Bần Đạo has explained that when we enter the Cung Phục Linh, we relive our previous lives in a reverse manner. This is because the Phục Linh Buddha preserves our lives and resuscitates our spirits. Meanwhile, our Pineal Eye/ Crown Chakra (Thượng Nê Hườn) [Fontanel] is protected and stabilized by the Hộ Pháp. There are moments when we lose our consciousness and forget about our previous lives.

Our soul travels back in time, and relives millions of lives from material to human. The more lives we have been through, the more experience our soul accumulates. When we die and are reborn, this mysterious mechanism of the universe drives us to enter our Original Soul.

This soul examines itself throughout its millions of lives like a judge. Therefore, Bần Đạo tell you that each of us will pass judgement on ourselves. When we judge ourselves, no one can make excuses for us. I have also told you that the sentence non-appealable, our sins undeniable, and the law unavoidable. How can we avoid or deny if we are our own judge? Our Original Soul owns all the results of all our previous lives. In this self-judgment process, who can make excuses for us!

Actually, there is a method by which we can make appeals and which we have not known before. We can play the role of our own lawyer and lodge an appeal for ourselves. If we know and repent our sins during our millions of lives, our original soul will argue for us. When this happens, our sins will no longer be judged in the next trial. Therefore, there is a method to expiate punishment used by sublime souls who attained liberation. They passed on the true dharma which is very simple, and which is being used by humanity but yet to be recognized as critical to their liberation. It is the method of “Nhứt Nhựt Tam Tỉnh Hộ Thân“. Just as each day you must make at least one visit to your parents, you must also examine your conscience three times.

Regarding the sins which we commit in one life, the Supreme Being has granted us a method of resolution. He has said, “If your sins are plentiful but at the end of your life you call out My name, I will come to save you. I now place this Secret Dharma of liberation in your hands so that you can attain liberation. Here is how you should call My name: “Nam Mô Cao Đài Tiên Ông Đại Bồ Tát Ma Ha Tát.”

We have seen, and Bần Đạo has preached to you, that when our soul has the same nature with the universe, that is, the same nature as the Supreme Being, we will attain liberation.

The universe is a place that produces beings within it and these beings have the same nature as each other. This is why each being has the right to liberate itself. Therefore, to call the name of the Supreme Being is to access the mechanism of liberation. It does not matter how much sin a soul accumulates on this planet. If at the end of our lives we call the name of the Supreme Being, that is, we call on our Original Soul, we can refuse our right to be our own judge. If we refuse to be our own judge, no one will judge or punish us.

The Supreme Being is the great Master of all. So if we leave our karma in His hands, who will judge us! This is the key to liberation.

When the soul is fully revived, it seems that there is an eternal power which directs it to the Supreme Being. This is because the universe has the same virtue, and because the two have the same nature and the same spiritual source, that of the Creator of the Universe.

I am sure that, in fact I know that, there are up to three billion planets in the universe. This figure is so huge. Can we really know how many human beings there are? This planet 68, which is the smallest, already has more than 2.7 billion human beings!

In the Universe, there are up to three billion planets, so how many human beings does that make? Just imagine the Supreme Being holding the Complete Power over all this. He holds the power of judgment. When He blesses, He is called Ngọc Hoàng Thượng Đế (Jade Emperor). When He forgives our sins, He is called Đại Thiên Tôn (The Most Respectful and Greatest of Beings in Heaven). He is the Master of all. On our planet, all beings from the material level up to the level of humanity have souls. Everything or everyone in the cosmos has this Being at the centre of their lives. We are all part of Him. If our eyelash is irritated, do we feel it? Or if our finger is grazed, do we feel pain? He is aware of all movement in the universe. He knows thoroughly each item or element. He Himself is the liberator. This is the great secret.

Now, I would like to describe to you the scene of the Ngọc Hư Cung (The Heavenly Council of the Eternal Law). When we are fortunate enough to enter together with the Divine Beings (in this place), we will realize our pre-destined role.

I have said, “When we arrive and stand outside (of this realm), especially when we arrive at the Cung Phục Linh (Realm of the returning Souls), we see many magnificent buildings illuminating as are gems in the centre of the sky. When we go inside, we see nothing but bright halos. Looking up, we will see the Universe. It is so blue as it stretches in front of us. It is like when we stand at the Bát Quái Đài. We then see the Spiritual Beings in their ranks. There is the Supreme Being reigning at the Huỳnh Kim Khuyết (The gate of pure gold, where one enters the Palace of the Supreme Being). Below Him, we see an entire court which is endless, limitless and solemn.

The Beings are just innumerable. So how can the political system of the Universe hold its power with such stability? It is in part the same as our secular political system. What are their rights? What are the rights that come with the power of governing over the universe? It is to govern the bad. And it is so simple.  In order to control the evil or the bad, this court does not need a judge. There is no prison to keep the offenders or lock up the criminals. And in wishing to reward the good, it does not need a king. There is no need for rewards, power, or ranks. They have no power at all, because our souls decide their own sentences and punishments. In this way, the political system of the universe is quite simple. The most difficult law is that of punishment and reward. But these two, here, are not necessary. So, what is the political system of the universe actually for? It is to protect and preserve the universe, by which I mean its duty is to serve those who have the rights to govern the universe - that is, to serve all beings.

The universe is there to serve all beings. From the beginning of the worlds until now there is no other right stranger than that. There is no power which is can compare to this. Therefore, humanity has an ultimately important and sacred aim when we come to the visible worlds. We come to serve both humanity and all other beings of the visible realms. We are here to determine the course of life for all beings. If we fulfill our role, we may attain a Divine position. Otherwise, we will be judged guilty.

Once again, I would like to stress that the path to our liberation which the Supreme Being has set for us is the path or the cause of serving all beings.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bần Đạo - His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc refers to himself throughout as 'Bần Đạo' or 'poor monk'.

Bắt Ấn – Performs dharma; a mystical gesture of the hands.

Bí Pháp - Secret Dharma, the esoteric (or occult) teaching/the esoteric doctrine.

Cao Đài Tiên Ông Đại Bồ Tát Ma Ha Tát – The term that the Supreme Being uses to identify Himself in séances and the name that Caodaists say at the end of their prayers. It literally means: High Palace, Immortal, His Honour the Eldest Bodhisattva, the Venerable Saint. Caodaists believe that God the Father has no name. For this reason, they prefer such terms as “the Most High”, “the Ultimate Being”, “the Absolute”.

Cung Phục Linh - Phục Linh Realm. Realm of the returning Souls.

Đại Thiên Tôn - The Most Respectful and Greatest of Beings in Heaven.

Hộ Pháp - is the one who unveils the Mystery of the Invisible and is the Maintainer of the Rules and laws of the New Religion / Cao- Đài Religion. He is the one who pronounces judgments on the dignitaries and disciples, elevates the dignity of the fervent through their merit and brings sanctions against those who have committed faults. He is actively involved in assuring that the religious Rules and Laws which have become Divine Laws are carried out in detail, in order to keep the dignitaries and adepts free of the sufferings inflicted by the Lords of Karma.

In so acting, he watches over the positive progress of the disciples in the Way of God, and guides all evolved souls to achieve the Divine Phase of the Great Spirits. He holds control over the Legislative Power both exoterically and esoterically.

Huệ quang khiếu - Celestial eye, sky door, crown chakra, pineal eye.

Huỳnh Kim Khuyết - The gate of pure gold, where one enters the Palace of the Supreme Being.

Ngọc Hoàng Thượng Đế - Jade Emperor.

Nhứt Nhựt Tam Tỉnh Hộ Thân – (The Confucian idea that each day you must make at least one visit to your parents), or, more generally, you must examine your conscience three times per day.

Phục Linh – to resuscitate your former lives for your soul to examine them.

Phục Linh Tánh Phật – The Buddha who holds the Kim Câu or golden and mystical miter which He uses to manifest each of our former lives and we see them resurrected in front of us. Every time he waves this staff, we see another life. Eventually, we see every life we have been through.

Thượng Nê Hườn - Bai Hui point (top of your head), the crown point, Pineal Eye, crown chakra.

28.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 21st of March 1949
(Lunar Calendar 22nd Day of the 2nd month, year of the Buffalo)

Linh-Tiêu- Điện (Ngọc Hư Cung) and the Governing Body of The Supreme Being

Tonight, I will continue to explain our progress on the Divine Path to Eternal Life. Last time, I guided you good friends into the Linh Tiêu Điện/Ngọc Hư Cung (The Heavenly Court of God). Tonight, I will continue, but before I do so, there are a few essential points we need to know. Since the time that I start preaching about this Esoteric Doctrine, I have always prayed to the Supreme Being because of many inherent difficulties. We cannot use earthly languages to fully or even correctly describe what is seen by our soul. Indeed, I can only relay to you five or six out of a total 10 that I saw. This is why I pray to the Supreme Being like Tripitaka did on his journey to India seeking Buddhist scriptures. He was Chinese, while the script was written in Sanskrit. So it was very hard to translate all the sutras from this original language into the Chinese. Therefore, he took a great vow to try and translate these sutras into Chinese. He was sure that what he translated was not perfectly correct. Thus, he promised that when he passed away, if he had not explained the sutras fully then his tongue would be black his tongue would be red.

How fortunate for Northern Buddhism which was greatly blessed by the work of Tripitaka. Of course, when he passed away, people opened his mouth and saw that his mouth was red. In this way, the true teaching of Buddhism, that is, Northern Buddhism, was explained clearly and correctly by Tripitaka.

Today, every time Bần Đạo go up to the pulpit to preach the Esoteric Doctrine, I pray first with the Supreme Being for clairvoyance. Still, I know it is not quite possible to perfectly explain all the visions of my spiritual eye in these sermons.

If the Supreme Being especially blesses this Divine Faith of His, and allows His Holy Body to see the Eternal Realms, please help me correct and perfect these sermons.

So, today I would like to continue to describe the Linh Tiêu Điện. When we arrive at the threshold of this palace, we are at first stunned by its magnificence. I have already said that any architect who sees these buildings will continue dreaming about the beauty, to the point that he may go mad. It is unimaginably beautiful and delicate.

The palaces are constructed of gems of myriad forms and sizes. Our imagination all comes to life. The endless power of the Supreme Being has created its physiognomy from His mysterious, miraculous and limitless dharmas. When we enter inside, we see the Universe, vast like a great sea. We see His court lining up in indescribable solemnity. And at the highest of all, we see the Supreme Being reigning over His court at Huỳnh Kim Khuyết. Later I will describe His image to you.

In the far away space above Him, we see the Three Buddhas as depicted on the top of the Bát Quái Đài (the Eight Trigrams Palace), i.e. Brahma Buddha, Krishna Buddha and Shiva Buddha. Even further into the distance, we see a nimbus flashing, but there is no image at all. It illuminates His whole court which is the Huỳnh Kim Khuyết. Under the Huỳnh Kim Khuyết is the Cửu Phẩm Thần Tiên (the nine levels of Genii & Immortals) who attend the court. It is such a solemn and mysterious scene that we can hardly imagine. It is so mysterious that no tongue could tell it. If we are fortunate enough to attain liberation or a position in the heavenly hierarchy, even at a very low rank, we will still see this entire scene. Our Dharmakaya will come to the level of attaining a Divine Position. If we look up and compare, our position is nothing great at all. If we look further and higher still, our position really does seem insignificant. And if we are punished, it is very heart breaking. We then see His court so far in the distance that, in fact, it disappears. Then, we become bewildered, unable to know where we are, or to what realm we belong. We stand facing a vast amount of suffering. All the sins appear in front of us, undeniable and judged by ourselves. Upon judgement, we descend gradually all the way to the door of the earthly realm, i.e. the gate of hell. This is how we judge ourselves.

On the other hand, when we attain a good position (do not assume just yet), we see those Divine Beings so noble and so honourable. In fact, some of them come near to the Supreme Being and exist nearly on an equal footing with Him. They have attained the mysteries, but all their glory contains the word “suffering”. Those Beings have achieved the highest and most respectable positions because they could win out against suffering. They have reached such nobility because they have undertaken a vast amount of suffering throughout their innumerable lives. We look at the Supreme Being and see the word “suffering”. He is the universe with the power to control our suffering. Then why is it that suffering can conquer us? Why can’t we conquer it? It is because we lack the courage and the will to bear suffering. We are afraid of it, and so we do not know how to control it.

Some time ago, when I did not yet believe in the mysteries of the religion of the Supreme Being, I studied knowledge like others, and made decisions based on My consciousness and conscience. It took me a long while to understand the Divine position of the Sakyamuni Buddha, or Jesus Christ. It made me question things and left me in doubt. At that time, the Supreme Being had a great responsibility to help me understand. He opened my eyes and at last I saw His true form.

I have seen numerous consolations of God - they are boundless. We have lived through so much suffering, both physical and spiritual, life after life, in order to achieve our present position step-by-step. As we see others go one step ahead of us, it seems as though they are birds and we are just fish.

Their nobility is in so much contrast to our humility. As we look back to the image of the Supreme Being, we realize that our Great God does not say a word. There is no sound, but our spirit and His seem connected to each other. We see that He has endured endless suffering while we only undertake a part of it. How can we lament. How can we be discouraged? His suffering is a million times more than ours. Therefore, the sight of Him brings us comfort amid all our physical and mental suffering.

Why? Because the great power of the Supreme Being is a great mountain of suffering. His image in fact is one of endless suffering. Through such endurance, He builds up lore of precious dharmas. In this way, we are offered consolations after conquering our suffering.

I am certainly sure of this fact: happy are those whose bodies are physically disgraced, for their soul will gain incomparable happiness. It is these people who bear great pains in their life, who will be consoled by the Supreme Being.

It is fortunate for those who in their lives are oppressed, despised and disapproved of by others. For these people shall be bestowed by the Supreme Being a position of extra-ordinary honour. These souls will be blessed by Him to attain such honour and authority.

If we have enough courage and are able to undertake the suffering of the Supreme Being, we shall be blessed with unending glory.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Bần Đạo - His Holiness Hộ Pháp Phạm Công Tắc refers to himself throughout as 'Bần Đạo' or 'poor monk'.

Cửu Phẩm Thần Tiên - The nine levels of Genies & Immortals: Guardian Angel, Archangel, Principality, Power, Virtue, Domination, Throne, Cherub, and Seraph.

Huỳnh Kim Khuyết - The gate of pure gold, where one enters the Palace of the Supreme Being.

Linh Tiêu Điện – The Court of God. The palace where the Supreme Being holds meetings with the Heavenly Council.

Ngọc Hư Cung - belongs to the Hư Vô Heaven. This is the Heavenly Council of the Eternal Law which controls and maintains the Divine Law. It also controls the progress and movement of the universe. Divine Jade Palace.

29.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 5th April 1949
(Lunar Calendar 8th Day of the 3rd month, year of the Buffalo)

The Difference between the Process of Rising in Heaven, and the Process of Falling into Dark Realms

Tonight I would like to continue preaching about our progress on this Divine Path to Eternal Life.

Bần Đạo will preach a little bit more quickly so that we can finish this matter and have enough time to talk about the Secret Dharma. Last time, I guided you all, the children of the Supreme Being, towards the Linh Tiêu Điện (Ngọc Hư Cung). We have also seen the Supreme Being in His Dharmakaya of the Jade Emperor, i.e. the King of the Universe. As such, He is not a Great Saint to us, but we have not seen him in the image of the Greatest and most Respectful Being in the Heavens because the Supreme Being does not want us to. His latter Dharmakaya cannot be manifested at the Linh Tiêu Điện (The Court of God). I have already explained the honourable authority granted to the Tông Đườngs (or Divine extended families) of those who attain a Divine position.

What a pity it is that there is a sharp difference between the states of ascent and descent. Even those with much courage will still be afraid and nervous when I explain the path of descent. As we already know, reunion with our Tông Đường brings happiness to us all. All of them will be present to witness our judgement. If we deserve a position (in heaven’s hierarchy), our progress towards happiness and virtue will be supported by many other souls. However, if we are guilty and are demoted, this honourable realm gradually fades away from us although we are standing still. The happy scene seems to move far away from us until we cannot see it. Finally it flees from us; we do not run from it. Our happiness is afraid of us, and thus runs away from us. Suddenly, the path of our progress faces many difficulties. Normally, people say that there are heaven and hell, that is, Ngọc Hư Cung and the Ten Courts of Hell. They are not close to each other, these people say, but they are indeed very close. If we make a serious mistake, for example, if we kill a person in hatred, then immediately that person will stand in front of us and look at us mournfully. People may think that person might also hate and wants to kill us, but it is never like that. This person will be sad for us. Upon seeing them, our soul, which is our perispirit, will regress step by step towards hell depending on the crimes we have committed. As judged guilty by our own soul, we will then be standing at the door of hell, pronouncing a sentence on ourselves.

How sad! Those who do not love others will receive no words of comfort from other souls. They only hear around them the sound of lamentations and accusations. They don’t know how long their sentence will last. Because we decide it for ourselves, we don’t know when our punishment will be over. This is why we suffer.

Now and then, I will elaborate more on this, because I am not allowed to go down to hell. The Supreme Being has promised that when I disincarnate, before returning to the realm of Eternal Life, I will stop over there in order to liberate those souls who have been unjustly punished, and to grant them ascension.

It has been explained to me by the Supreme Being and the Divine Beings what that realm is like. They have done this, so that one day when I walk on that path there is nothing strange and nothing to fear. Whenever we obtain happiness and attain liberation, our Tông Đường will immensely rejoice. From the nine levels of Genii, Immortals and Buddhas to the three Ancient Buddhas will be happy and joyful in a way that we cannot describe. It is a joy and an honour which no words can describe.

There are large differences between two levels in the heavenly hierarchy. As I have explained, one is like a bird the other is like a fish. We cannot compare one to the other due to the huge discrepancy.

When we rise to a higher level, we will be welcomed with great honour. This is also related to our Divine family. Our family bestows upon us a happiness which is incomparable, because the entire family will also be raised to a new height.

The Ngọc Hư is a realm which the Supreme Being has said to be the great cause for each of us. He has preserved the reward for each in the Paradise of Extreme Joy. When we have gained a position at the Ngọc Hư Cung and the Linh Tiêu Điện, the whole of our Divine family will welcome us back to the Great Work which the Supreme Being has created for us at the Ngọc Hư Cung. Let us imagine the ceremony that welcomes us back. Oh, how honourable it is!

In the Paradise of Extreme Joy, there is no limit to our progress on our Eternal Path. We must keep progressing all the way to the Huỳnh Kim Khuyết (The Golden Gate) of the Supreme Being. That will be the day we reach our ultimate aim! But it is still very long road. Now back to the great work of the Supreme Being, we will be endowed with a certain level of happiness depending on the heavenly position we attain with our earthly merit.

Can we attain a high or low, significant or meagre, long-lasting or short-lived position? The happiness bestowed upon us in the Paradise of Extreme Joy is endless. We might enjoy it for 1.200 or 2.400 or 3.600 or 36.000 years. Then, we must reincarnate in order to continue our progress on the Path to Eternal Life.

In the next sermon, I will continue to describe the Paradise of Extreme Joy/ Cực Lạc Thế Giới.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Cực-Lạc Thế Giới - The Paradise of Extreme Joy.

Huỳnh Kim Khuyết - The gate of pure gold, where one enters the Palace of the Supreme Being.

Linh Tiêu Điện – The Court of God. The palace where the Supreme Being holds meetings with the Heavenly Council.

Ngọc Hư Cung - belongs to the Hư Vô Heaven. This is the Heavenly Council of the Eternal Law which controls and maintains the Divine Law. It also controls the progress and movement of the universe. Divine Jade Palace.

Pháp Thân - Dharmakaya

Tông Đường - Literally ones ancestral temple. The Hộ Pháp also uses this term to refer to our wider Divine lineage whom we meet in returning to heaven.

30.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 10th April 1949
(Lunar Calendar 13th Day of the 3rd month, year of the Buffalo)

The Paradise of Extreme Joy - where we are Temporarily Liberated, but this is not the Ultimate Realm for Souls.

Let us invite each other to continue our progress along this Divine Path to Eternal Life. Last time, I promised to guide the children of the Supreme Being into the Paradise of Extreme Joy. Tonight, I will deliver this promise. We shall leave the Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa (a reference to the Divine Beings of the Nine Heavens who are responsible for creating those Nine Heavens and for teaching humanity). If we attain a heavenly position, our mutual journey on the Path to Eternal Life will be paved with indescribable honour. Residing at the Tiểu Thiên Cung (Soul’s heavenly microcosm) is our extended family which we have established throughout our numerous lives. We pass out of the Tiểu Thiên Cung to our Great Extended Family. The utmost honour will dawn upon us when we return to the Paradise of Extreme Joy.

From the distant to now, Buddhism has explained and propagated the idea of the Paradise of Extreme Joy, and all of us have known of it. If we practice the Way of the Buddha and if we attain enlightenment, we may return to this Paradise. Actually, the Paradise of Extreme Joy is a realm where we are only temporarily liberated. It is where we determine the course of our lives, but yet the most lofty realm for souls.

On occasion, I will guide you towards seeing your own self. Once you have glimpsed this self-knowledge, you will understand better The Paradise of Extreme Joy as it is propagated by the various religions. But the way it has been propagated is only through general ideals which are ultimately not so important. To translate this into French, we would say “Nirvana” or “Quarternaire”; they have no meaning at all. There are other realms which are more lofty and precious than this. This is a place where we determine our cause and our position, like the way we determine our career in the earthly world in relation to those in the society.

The Paradise of Extreme Joy, or Nirvana, is not strange to us. Liberated souls come here to enter the realm of their greater cause. Buddhists associate it with great importance because our greater cause can only be achieved by becoming one with this realm. Before we arrive at this place, we should have an overview of this Paradise of Extreme Joy. You should remember this. When you arrive at the gate, you will see the Buddhist monks sitting outside and chanting. Some of them will show us that they are trapped in some kind of pitiful pain and anguish. I will explain more clearly who they are, but later on. Most noticeably, they are very crowded, moving around in all forms and shapes. Some of them have shaved heads, others long beards, and still others very strange forms. This is what we see when we arrive outside The Paradise of Extreme Joy. It is like the outskirts of the Holy See. I will speak more about these people from time to time.

But what is this Paradise of Extreme Joy? Those souls who progress on the Divine Path to Eternal Life eventually become free to decide their own position and cause in the Divine Realm. There is no other authority which is more important. But is this because of their freedom or because of the right to council oneself?

Let us consider the two realms. Firstly, Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa (Divine Beings of the nine levels of Genies & Immortals of the Nine Heavens), which is to progress along one side of the Ngọc Hư Cung, and the other side of the Linh Tiêu Điện. Secondly, Nirvana, or the Paradise of Extreme Joy, which is absolute peace of the soul. Every individual has to be influenced by both. For example, waking is suffering while sleeping is soothing. Therefore, many people would like to sleep rather than be awake.

- Firstly, being awake belongs to the authority of the Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa.

- Secondly, sleep belongs to the authority of the Cực Lạc Thế Giới.

There are only contentment and suffering. Living is suffering and dying is contentment. Living belongs to the authority of the Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa, and dying comes under the power of the Cực Lạc Thế Giới.

Vạn Pháp Chuyển Luân/ Pháp Luân Thường Chuyển (The Wheel of the Holy Doctrine (Dhamma-Cakka) set in Motion by the Buddha) as part of the mystical dharma of the progress of souls in the Universe is held entirely by the power of the Cực Lạc Thế Giới. At the Hư Vô Tịch Diệt (The absolute peace of soul), to obtain access to the mystical dharma, one must go through the Paradise of Extreme Joy. One side governs the universe, while the other determines positions in the heavenly hierarchy. In this way, they are related.

After we enter the Paradise of Extreme Joy, we will receive even much more happiness than at the Diêu Trì Cung (the Heaven of the Creation under the Mother Goddess). The happiness that we experience by being near our Holy Mother is not our own. It emanates from Her great cause, i.e. our common cause.

Let us consider an example; when we return home to the house of our parents, it may be noble, luxurious and infused with the grace of our parents. No matter how comfortable it is, this is nothing compared to the feelings that arise from our own good work.

The joy from our own work and achievement is more significant than from our Great Father and Mother.

The enjoyment at the Ngọc Hư Cung (Divine Jade Palace) is less than what we experience at the Paradise of Extreme Joy; from the work that we achieve we create a microcosm like the macrocosm of the Supreme Being. Within this microcosm of ours, there are demons and Buddhas.

It depends on the way we live our life; whether we choose animosity or love. If we harbour animosity, we are in thrall to the karma of the demons. However, if we nurture love and compassion, we create the karma of a Buddha. Similarly, the animosity of the Supreme Being breeds the karma of Satan, whereas His love and compassion create the karma of heaven.

When we have the power on earth to build our own microcosm, We should rectify the negativity that evokes within us animosity and hatred. Gradually, we should give them up. In each life, we should nurture love in order to enjoy our fruit at the Paradise of Extreme Joy/ Cực Lạc Thế Giới. It may last for at least 1.200, or 2.400, or 3.600, or 12.000, or 24.000 years, or 36.000 years according to the limit of time we have earned for ourselves. We have a method by which souls can remove their animosity and hatred after each life in order to obtain the power of love. It can be found in the image of the Three Saints who sign the Third Universal Amnesty with God. This image is displayed at the front of the Great Divine Temple.

In the early days of our religion, the Eighth Female Buddha delivered a divine message of love in a very intimate manner. All of us should try to understand as profoundly as we can the Secret Dharma which the Eighth Female Buddha has given to us. This Dharma is so important that the Supreme Being came to sign the agreement and obligate all of us to follow the law of love. Thanks to this law, the Supreme Being can father the entire universe. The nobility of our cause also depends on the power of this law. To tell you the truth, if we are unfortunate in our lives and there are relatives of ours who hate us, this is our demon karma. We should not be afraid of this. If we are smart, we should treat them with love so they will remove their animosity. I have slightly unveiled the secret dharma to our liberation; it is up to you to seek more.

The Paradise of Extreme Joy is where we come home to our own heavenly microcosm, esp. our Buddha realm. The demon realm should be suppressed. This is how we determine the Dharma. It is described in Daoism that although we only sit still in control of our mind, we have spiritual power manifested in our Divine illumination. Then there is no realm in the universe that we cannot understand completely. We only need to sit in one place to move mountains and oceans. All spiritual power can be realized at the Paradise of Extreme Joy. It is the result of our cultivation in each life which reveals to us the secret dharma with limitless power. The Supreme Being may graciously appoint us as an authority to look after a world of dozens of planets. We only need to stay at the Paradise of Extreme Joy to set in motion the wheel of dharma within universal laws. This Eternal Power, which we cannot understand ourselves, keeps on evolving to the point where we can create our own universe just like the way the Supreme Being created His. Such evolution will eventually reach its destination.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Cực-Lạc Thế Giới - The Paradise of Extreme Joy.

Cửu Phẩm Thần Tiên - The nine levels of Genii & Immortals: Guardian Angel, Archangel, Principality, Power, Virtue, Domination, Throne, Cherub, and Seraph.

Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa - The Masters or Divine Beings of the Nine Heavens. A reference to the Divine Beings of the Nine Heavens who are responsible for opening these Nine Heavens and for teaching and elevating humanity.

Cung Diêu Trì - The Heaven of Creation under the Mother Goddess. It is a palace located beside The Precious Jewel Lake.

Hư Vô Tịch Diệt - The absolute peace of soul, 虛無寂滅.

Karma – (s) literally, “action”. The Buddhist teaching that all our actions have consequences which carry on into our futures. The Law of Cause and Effect, the results of our thoughts, speech and behaviour.

Ngọc Hư Cung - belongs to the Hư Vô Heaven. This is the Heavenly Council of the Eternal Law which controls and maintains the Divine Law. It also controls the progress and movement of the universe. Divine Jade Palace.

Nirvana – (s) literally, “extinction-quiescence”. State of ultimate liberation in which one is liberated from vexation, suffering, and the cycle of birth and death.

Quarternaire (French) – quaternary – or that which can be divided into four – for example the arms of the cross or the Cabbalistic quartering of the body.

Tiểu Thiên Cung - Heavenly microcosm.

Vạn Pháp Chuyển Luân / Pháp Luân Thường Chuyển - The Wheel of the Holy Doctrine (Dhamma-Cakka) Set in Motion by the Buddha.

31.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 11th April 1949
(Lunar Calendar 14th Day of the 3rd month, year of the Buffalo)

The Supreme Being preserves for us Our Extended Divine Family.

Tonight I will explain in more detail, and for a little longer. If you are tired, please excuse me.

Before I lead the children of the Supreme Being into the Paradise of Extreme Joy, tonight, I will preach about a philosophy that the Children of the Supreme Being must pay close attention. In particular, I will lead you to a beautiful realm known as Nirvana in Buddhism. Before we begin, however, I have several points to share.

The time has come to decide the future of Vietnam. It is related to the situation between the Vietnamese people and the French. I have found a person to claim back the independence of Vietnam. We must claim it back.

I think that our people definitely do not want him to fail. And that person is Bảo Đại, our emperor. The independence of our nation must be sought and won.

I am sure that Emperor Bảo Đại will ask for and succeed in gaining this. Not only will he claim it back, but he also knows how to preserve it. Will we be able to preserve it? This is the most crucial matter. Of course this quest does not depend solely on Emperor Bảo Đại, but the whole nation. In order to fulfil his duty, he must make demands (of the French) and succeed. However, preservation depends on the entire nation, not him alone.

I would like to stress one more crucial point. At this present time, no one else should stand up as a representative of the Nation or claim authority over the people. There is no authority that can presently decide the future of the country. Of all the people, men and women, there is no thief who dares to say that they represent the nation, for we have already been robbed many times.

I think that at this moment, all Vietnamese people are wise enough not to let anyone abuse them. Again, I should stress that our future depends on how our people exercise their intelligence, virtue, capacities, initiatives, and wisdom.

We when look back at the situation of our country, our religious organizations are the most essential. These organizations have been established by the Supreme Being Himself. They have been moulded and maintained for this ultimate moment. The Cao Đài religion is ready. So all men and women, who are the children of the Supreme Being, should now be more discerning and wiser so that you can guide our people’s virtue and preserve our independence. The survival of our race will lead to a new purpose and happiness for the Vietnamese people, that is, the race (Lạc-Hồng) of a 4000 year-long tradition.

I would like to remind you to keep our eyes open, and remain wise and careful to avoid being led astray by the devils. They are plotting schemes to destroy our cause.

For over 80 years of enslavement, the French have paved many wrong paths to lead us all astray and sustain their regime.

I will shed light on the path along which we can decide our future. It is the path of 4.000 years left to us by our ancestors. Throughout the 4.000 years of development, we were enslaved and oppressed many times under the regime of the large China. Until now, there were many times that we were oppressed because we followed their path. To build our country now, we have no other path than that of our ancestors to guide us. We must follow it.

I have explained this most crucial point. We must understand that the king is only the head of an extended family (Tông Đường). And this family is the lord of all, that is, lord of the hundred other families. The king has the right to be the lord of this whole nation. He decides the destiny of the country but not all by himself, for there are authorities who are the heads of other Tông Đườngs. Therefore, I shall establish Ban Kỳ Lão (a congress of eminent citizens from the whole nation) to hold the responsibility of advising the king and deciding the destiny of the country. The congress shall bring together adepts from the age of 50 as my source of information/ advice. I will also ask those outside our religion so as to fully form a national congress in time for the return of the Emperor Bảo Đại. He will return in order to decide the destiny of the country.

Now, I would like to continue to describe the Paradise of Extreme Joy. I have said that the extended Divine family of each of you has already been made clear. The Supreme Being has spoken metaphorically that your Divine family has been preserved by your Divine Master. That is our Divine extended family (Tông Đường Thiêng Liêng).

Our Tông Đường/ Divine extended family is divided into three classes:

- The first is that of our intelligence and spirit which is produced by our original soul.

- The second is that of our non-self family. They live close to us when we reincarnate. Each life as a human, we have parents, siblings, friends, and relatives who constitute our non-self family.

- The third is that of our multiplied souls who are part of our original soul and who go down for reincarnation. For each life, we divide our spirit to form a different individual. Sublime Beings need not reincarnate but have their absolute right to multiply their soul. We find this in the prayer, “Nhứt thân ức vạn diệu huyền thần biến” (one body, one million mysterious transformations). Each sublime soul can transform into millions of bodies. It is beyond comprehension by our intellectuality and conscience. It is granted by the Supreme Being to those who have lived through many reincarnations. We die once in each life, which produces a type of energy called Tử Khí (energy of death/ physical energy). The energy condenses to form our lotus throne which helps determine our position. The existence of this energy depends on our original soul. It is so crucial that we will be fearful if we lose it.

Regarding the first two classes, any of them may turn against us. That is why the Supreme Being has Satan as part of Him. Who is Satan? He is a close friend of the Supreme Being. The Supreme Being relies on our virtue to prevent our wrongdoing. Any opposition to Him means devilry. Our non-self family often rebels with us; our friends even more so. Each of us only has one closest friend.

After these explanations, we all understand that even though we may have myriad multiplied selves, we are still only one soul after death or after the return of our dharmakaya. Our biggest concern is that our position is below its expectation or merit, in which case we are urged to reincarnate.

The Supreme Being has said that our non-self family can be perfected. He is so concerned about this that He tells us to build up and educate them while still on earth. Therefore, when He created the Faith, He asked Tương, Trang, and Kỳ, who are Divine Dignitaries to each establish their own Divine families. Establishment of our non-self family is the most crucial task. Why does the Supreme Being ask us to do so? If there is no non-self family, we will not have our own heavenly microcosm. Therefore, sublime souls have magnificent worlds of their own. Most importantly, religious founders are called upon by their family to all reincarnate and help each other.

I myself have a Tông Đường of great honour, and which only falls behind other Tông Đườngs, such as those of Maitreya Buddha, the Quan Yin Buddha, or the Amitabha Buddha.

The Tông Đường of the Hộ Pháp is also rather good, and so the Acting Pope often insinuated that the Pham’s is stronger than the Le’s. Among our Tông Đường, it is most concerning when we lose our closest friend; loss of other members still often occurs.

All the children of the Supreme Being should pay close attention. These words will be of great help to you.

Let us now go to Nirvana, which is the capital of the Paradise of Extreme Joy/ Cực Lạc Thế Giới. Here, we will see the Sakyamuni Buddha at the Kim Sa Đại Điện (The Great Palace of Golden Sand). This palace is like a pyramid in Egypt but not exactly the same. Its body is round and it is “ngũ thiên ngũ giái.” It does not look like those pyramids of Peru. From the top to the base, it looks more like a bánh-ếch (a pyramid-shaped sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves). They are also “ngũ-thiên and ngũ-chuyển” like the pyramid, but have a flat top.

The people of Peru often worshipped and made offerings to the Supreme Being on the top of the pyramid. The Egyptian pyramids are more similar, and are also made of goldish sand. Most noticeably, there is a giant willow tree at the door of the Nirvana pyramid. It defies all words. Its leaves are thin like thread. It overshadows the entire pyramid. If we used our human eyes to capture an overview, its circumference might be a few 100 kilometres around; it has no end. This willow tree covers over the pyramid completely like a parasol. The Secret Dharma of Nirvana is this Willow tree. Each leaf has a drop of holy water on it, which is one life in the universe.

The pyramid has levels and steps which are populated with innumerable Buddhas. Even on each level, we see countless of them sitting on their lotus thrones.

I have said that those Buddhas are created by the original soul of the Supreme Being and this is how they attained their position. If we use our Divine eye and look up at these lotus thrones, we see their positions. The lives of the Buddhas created for them these lotus thrones. If a Buddha would like reach a higher level, as an animal and evolve up to the higher Buddha position. When we enter the pyramid, we see them transforming back into their original dhammakaya (Pháp Thân). This looks like their image from out of the Kim Bàn (The Golden Basin). We have seen in this Golden Basin of the Buddha Mother there is an essence that is not clear, like in a dream. On their lotus thrones, their Dharmakayas look perfectly clear and incredibly mysterious. Each of their lotus thrones illuminates brightly to signify the dharma which transforms the universe. They become one with the universe and all other worlds thanks to their Divine light, just like radio signals that transmit sounds. They are granted special rights which we are yet to know or guess. The entire universe is under their direction, not in terms of government but education.

The political system of the Universe has two organs. The first is the organization that governs the worlds. The second is the organization that awakens living beings.

The Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa (Divine Beings of the nine levels of Genies & Immortals of the Nine Heavens) hold the governing power. Nirvana is only responsible for educating the beings.

Only those on the “ngũ tầng quan” (fifth level) or “thập tầng quan” (tenth level) still would like to go higher. If one lags behind the others, one must stay behind for 1.200 years in order to contemplate more lofty evolution. This is the only goal for souls who travel on the Path of Progress and enter the Paradise of Extreme Joy. Since Buddhas are only part of the Supreme Being, their path of progress goes on forever.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Amitabha – The name of the Buddha of the Western Pure Land, primary meaning Infinite Life and Light. He is called Amituofo in Chinese.

Ban Kỳ Lão - Congress of Eminent Elder Citizens (over 60 years old).

Bánh-ếch - A pyramid-shaped sticky rice flour cake wrapped in banana leaves.

Cực-Lạc Thế Giới - The Paradise of Extreme Joy.

Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa - The Masters or Divine Beings of the Nine Heavens. A reference to the Divine Beings of the Nine Heavens who are responsible for Creating these Nine Heavens and for teaching and elevating humanity.

Dao - Đạo (v), Tao (c), Way.

Kim Bàn - Golden Basin of the Buddha Mother.

Kim Sa - Golden Sand.

Maitreya Buddha – The future Buddha.

Nguyên linh - Original soul

Nhứt thân ức vạn diệu huyền thần biến - One body, one million mysterious transformations.

Pháp Thân - Dharmakaya

Tử khí - Energy of death/ Physical energy.

Tông Đường - literally one’s ancestral temple. The Hộ Pháp also uses this term to refer to our wider Divine family whom we meet in returning to heaven.

32.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 15th April 1949
(Lunar Calendar 18th Day of the 3rd month, year of the Buffalo)

What is a Drop of Holy Water? What is the True Physiognomy of Nirvana? What is the True Physiognomy of the Paradise of Extreme Joy?

Today, I would like to continue speaking about our progress on the Divine Path to Eternal Life. Previously, I guided all the children of the Supreme Being into the realm of Nirvana.

I have described to you the countless Buddhas, and pointed out that at the centre of the great pyramid there is a great Willow Tree which covers over the entire pyramid like a massive net. Its leaves look like what we see on this planet, and each is a little thicker than a human hair. At the end of each leaf, we find a drop of holy water. What is this drop of water? It is transformed into of souls throughout the universe.

I have also described to you all the Buddhas who do not look much different from their initial form in the golden basin of the Buddha Mother. This image remains dim in the basin, but becomes clear when they attain their lotus throne. It is then that their Pháp Thân (or Cosmic Body of the Buddha/Dharmakaya) manifests in limitless mysteries. Why? Let us seek the philosophy behind this. When still in the basin, the Dharmakayas are but shadows. Their innumerable reincarnations allow them to amass the essential elements and form their own dharmakaya. Their millions of lives reveal to them the secrets of creation. Therefore, when their complete Dharmakaya is achieved or they attain Buddhahood, they already obtain an exhaustive understanding of Divine creation.

I have also mentioned Tử Khí (death energy) which is the physical body we carry in the earthly world in order to be friend with other beings. Our physical body is often thought to deteriorate after death, i.e. when it turns into Tử Khí. Actually, this very energy will transform into our lotus throne. Let me explain more clearly that the Dharmakaya of the Buddhas on their lotus thrones is the total of their myriad lives or of their myriad dharmakaya; thus their image is one of limitless transformations. The word ‘Tử Khí’ may sound scary, but it is what we long for. At this moment, we see under the Willow Tree a lotus throne which is very precious and miraculous, and which shines endlessly throughout the universe. On this lotus throne, we find the chief of the religions of Nirvana, that is, the Maitreya Buddha. Previously, this throne belonged to the Amitabha Buddha. When it was time for the Great Faith of the Third Universal Salvation, i.e. our Cao Dai religion, the Supreme Being granted the authority to the Maitreya Buddha. At this moment, the Supreme Being has granted humanity powers of atomic dimensions, which originate from this throne.

The secret of Nirvana lies in “Khí” (Qi). We have seen the Supreme Being leave it behind Hộ Pháp. The atom is the source of life, whose essence gives life to all. The Maitreya Buddha resides on this mass of atoms as His lotus throne. It is longed for by all souls. Nothing can compare to it, not even honour, wealth, or power. All souls would like to attain a position on the pyramid. Whether we can reach it all depends on ourselves. The Sakyamuni Buddha told us that Buddhas are numerable like sand in the river; it is definitely so.

I can say with certainty that the Supreme Being has created and reserved this dimension for His children. The lotus thrones are attainable by those souls who have enough merit and virtue. They are not open to just any soul; nor are they the private property of anyone.

Souls have the right to establish their own position like in this world. Whether we can attain a lotus throne in that realm, or whether we would like it to last all depend on ourselves. This is the eternal truth.

I have said that before we enter the Paradise of Extreme Joy, we will meet a crowd of people at the outskirts of this paradise. We will see all kinds of soul from all races in the universe, not just from this 68th planet. The shaved-headed, the bearded, etc. - they all have reached the Paradise of Extreme Joy, but are blocked by an extraordinarily high wall like the Great Wall of China. We can see their feeling of annoyance. We look down and we see the crowds jostling around in groups. They chant the prayers regularly. I am not saying this because we can laugh at them or criticize, but we should feel sorry for them. Who are these souls? If we understand the philosophy of the Supreme Being, we should not worry for them. They are monks and priests of the various religions. Although they follow sects and heresy, their souls are always dedicated to the Dao. There are many intellectuals and liberated souls. Even though they are heretical, it is only because those religions or teachers speak to their heart and mind with deep understanding.

What a pity for those souls because they did not intentionally go wrong. Rather, they chose the wrong path by mistake. They followed certain religions without knowing the truth. This is the case now when we see people shave their heads to enter Buddhist monasteries. They practise the way to become Buddhas, but are not aware of the origins of their religion. This is not their fault. The unexpected consequence is that due to lack of knowledge about the truth, they do not know the true physiognomy of this realm. As a result, they cannot enter the Paradise of Extreme Joy. They genuinely sought spiritual cultivation, but religions of the world have strayed from the truth. By following those faiths, they can still reach this realm, but can only see its superficial sight. They must stay at the outskirts of this Paradise for a certain period to more fully know and cultivate their spirit. These people committed no sin whatsoever; they have merely lost their way. Therefore, they cannot reach the actual dimension of this Paradise or Nirvana. They remain on the outskirts to refine themselves for 500 or 700 years. Then, they reincarnate and continue their cultivation until the entire truth is clear to them.

Now, suppose that we ask our friends at the Paradise of Extreme Joy to come out of the realm of Nirvana, so we can meet and talk with them. When they meet us, they would ask us questions like we do on earth. They ask about the situation of the souls, their sins and their merits. They wonder if they have achieved anything, or if these souls already know themselves. We will have an intimate and interesting conversation. Why is it so difficult for humans to attain Divine position? Because they are suspicious. They think that it is enough for them to rise to a certain level. Because they are suspicious, they do not know what the truth is. They have been lied to too much. What are they suspicious of? They suspect that there is extreme joy in Nirvana, and that there really is heaven. They do not really believe in Buddhas, Immortals, Saints or Genies. It is only after we answer that they become disappointed. We have seen that on earth there are all sorts of people from the stupid to the intelligent, those who have mysterious power, and those who understand the mechanism of creation and know how to take advantage of it. Likewise, in the Western Paradise they also have different levels from Genies, Saints, Immortals to Buddhas. As there are sublime individuals on earth, so is the Divine realm. There is no doubt about it, or we just do not know enough. On this planet, there are people who are more sublime than others. Their spirits are more highly cultivated. People have often seen beings such as the Sakyamuni Buddha, and Jesus Christ. They themselves said they are Buddhas on this planet, but there are yet higher souls. We have not yet seen through all Divine Realms, so we do not have proof. The truth cannot be verified.

The doubtfulness and lack of wisdom come from our karma. Therefore, those souls have to undertake suffering under the law of creation. They have to make progress each life along with the wheel of karma of humanity. The Supreme Being has said to His children, “Children, if you know the Dao, you can attain liberation after only a lifetime of cultivation.” This truth cannot be better said. Liberation is all up to us. You will know this when looking at Him.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Amitabha – The name of the Buddha of the Western Pure Land, primary meaning Infinite Life and Light. He is called Amituofo in Chinese.

Cực-Lạc Thế Giới - The Paradise of Extreme Joy.

Dao - Đạo (v), Tao (c), Way.

Hộ Pháp - is the one who unveils the Mystery of the Invisible and is the Maintainer of the Rules and laws of the New Religion / Cao- Đài Religion. He is the one who pronounces judgments on the dignitaries and disciples, elevates the dignity of the fervent through their merit and brings sanctions against those who have committed faults. He is actively involved in assuring that the religious Rules and Laws which have become Divine Laws are carried out in detail, in order to keep the dignitaries and adepts free of the sufferings inflicted by the Lords of Karma.

In so acting, he watches over the positive progress of the disciples in the Way of God, and guides all evolved souls to achieve the Divine Phase of the Great Spirits. He holds control over the Legislative Power both exoterically and esoterically.

Khí – qi (C), energy.

Kim Bàn - Golden Basin of the Buddha Mother

Maitreya Buddha – The future Buddha.

Pháp Thân – Dharmakaya, Cosmic Body of the Buddha, Ethereal (astral) body, Body of the Law/Dharma,

Tử khí - Energy of death.

33.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 19th April 1949
(Lunar Calendar 22nd Day of the 3rd month, year of the Buffalo)

Many practice the Way but Few attain Liberation, because the Path to the Paradise of Extreme Joy is blocked by Lucifer

Tonight, Bần Đạo continue to speak of our progress along the Divine Path to Eternal Life.

In the last sermon, I guided the Children of the Supreme Being into the Paradise of Extreme Joy, Nirvana, and also the outskirts of this realm. So far, we have covered nearly all the basic dharmas of the Supreme Being. The realms above the Nine Heavens can only be reached after one attains liberation.

Before I describe to you these upper realms, I think it is necessary to let all the children of the Supreme Being understand the Path towards these realms. I do this so that one day, when your time comes, you will not be afraid or hesitate. I also want to make sure you are confident in the steps you will take towards your evolution.

I should remind you of one essential point which is part of my particular responsibility. I have pondered upon this issue which has influenced the various religions, especially Buddhism. From time immemorial through to this present moment, there have been many people who practiced the Way, but few have attained Buddhahood. The reason is that the Path has been blocked.

I have not yet had a good chance to ask the Divine Beings thoroughly about this.

While at Ngọc Hư Cung and Linh Tiêu Điện (The Court of God), I received the Holy Order from the Supreme Being to go and open the gate to the Paradise of Extreme Joy. At the beginning, my mind was confused. I wondered why I was given such a duty. In fact, what actually is the Paradise of Extreme Joy? And why am I being sent to open it? On arriving at that realm, I learned that liberated souls in the universe were being tested by Kim Quang Sứ (Lucifer/ Satan). This figure is permitted, by the grace of the Supreme Being, to be the examiner during the transition from Hạ Ngươn Tam Chuyển (The last era of the Third Kalpa [i.e. third transition]) to the first era of the Fourth Kalpa.

Who is this Kim Quang Sứ? Christianity refers to him as Lucifer. He is a great immortal who had the power to illuminate the universe with the Divine light of the Supreme Being. This great immortal had come close to Buddhahood; the power he had obtained was not much less than that of the Supreme Being. Because of his pride and his haughtiness, he fell short of his goal. However, his pride and greed for advancement caused him to disregard the power of the Supreme Being. He thought that his power had exceeded that of the Supreme Being, and was enough for him to take control of the universe. By then, the Ngọc Hư Cung had already known of his unfaithfulness.

The Ngọc Hư Cung granted him a position as governor of a world. Without arrogance, one will be pleased with it. Regrettably, Lucifer was not satisfied with such a position. His betrayal caused him to be sent down to the position of first amongst the devils. If you would like to understand the situation of Kim Quang Sứ and how he took over the power of the heavens, then you should read the Christian Bible.

At this moment, the Great Immortal Kim Quang Sứ, together with other souls, has been granted an amnesty. Devils have also received blessing from the Supreme Being during His universal amnesty like other souls in the universe. Therefore, the great devil has also undertaken highly significant duties as examiner to Immortals who aim for Buddhahood.

It is not surprising then that Lucifer has come to us through séance at a time when the Faith was in peace. The entire Holy Body of the Supreme Being were acting harmoniously. It was a period when we had no bad intentions against each other; there was not even a whisper of rebellion. Everyone followed the rules, and the true teachings of the Supreme Being. Suddenly, Kim Quang Sứ came through séance and left us a poem an ultimatum,

All nine heavenly ranks respect me

I may bow to Sakyamuni, but am not His friend

The Jade Palace is frequented by me

To challenge you on your path to liberation.

His power is like this. What a misfortune! The way from the Ngọc Hư Cung to the Paradise of Extreme Joy is now blocked by Lucifer, and souls cannot pass. They can do nothing but return. Accordingly, our religion explains this. The Supreme Being, of course, understands it.

He, who dares let the enemy determine His lot, test His children and Himself! Nevertheless, He does not flinch; He is not afraid. We can see that the Power of the Supreme Being is much more than that of Lucifer.

One would think that now the Supreme Being has to safeguard the spirit of humanity. But in fact, He need not pay that much attention.

When the Faith was formed at the Từ Lâm temple, Lucifer was there. He wrote his name via the "Corbeille à bec" and then ascended. The Supreme Being allowed Lucifer to test and wreak havoc with His Faith. With His allowance, the devil showed no hesitation. Lucifer has carried out his duty for over 20 years. The children of the Supreme Being, both men and women are being severed by all sorts of schemes which are aimed to make them relinquish the Dao. There is no trick he will not use to destroy the Holy Body of the Supreme Being. But... it is not easy... Lucifer’s power cannot divert His children from the path He has instructed. We have seen enough proof to understand this.

The Supreme Being gives Lucifer such permission to select the virtuous souls among His children.

I have read up on history and remember when Hàn-Tín went to Quang-Trung, Trương Tử Phòng gave him a diplomatic memorandum so he could gain trust. He also gave Han Tin a Thư Hùng Kiếm (a legendary sword) to gain recognition by Hon Bai Cong as a potential commander.

Hàn-Tín had received the diplomatic memorandum of Trương Tử Phòng so that he could create a name for himself. But for some reason he hid this memorandum. He tried to put on display his own talent and skill to make Hớn-Bái-Công recognise him and employ him for an important task.

Unfortunately, it is not easy to gain trust by one’s own voice. Han Tin was thoroughly tested. No matter how much talent has demonstrated, he could not defy fate. He was also under examination by Phàn-Khoái who tried to suppress his intellectuality. This examiner used the ploy of divisiveness to force him return to Quang Trung at midnight. When Tiêu-Hà became aware of what had happened, he caught up with Hàn-Tín. Only then did Han Tin present the diplomatic memorandum. Only after being tested did he build his name and value.

Another figure who met a similar situation is Phụng-Sồ (from the Chinese Classic “The Three Kingdoms”). Phụng-Sồ was tested by Trương Phi and could not make his name by his talents or virtues.

The Supreme Being can determine for us a position, but we must gain authority by our own virtues and talents. We must subject ourselves to examinations if we wish to attain sublime heavenly positions. If we fail, we must accept being trapped in this world! The examiner is very harsh.

Accordingly, (as these stories illustrate) the true nature of humanity means that we are judged harshly; even more so by Kim Quang Sứ. Due to his pride and self-conceit, no being or soul can corrupt or bribe him for liberation.

Now I will tell you what happened when I was given a Holy Order to clear the path to the Paradise of Extreme Joy.

At that time, I travelled on a dharma vehicle from the Ngọc Hư Cung to the Cực Lạc Thế Giới. On my way, I was unexpectedly blocked by Kim Quang Sứ and did not know what to do. Suddenly, I saw His Eminence Lý Minh Vương (the Chinese Immortal Li Tai Guai) in the Dhammakaya of His Holiness Thượng Trung Nhựt (the Caodaist Acting Pope). He leaped forward to fight Kim Quang Sứ with his stick. The Acting Pope was limping his fight, one leg shorter than the other!

I was sitting on the cloud vehicle, wondering how Lý Minh Vương could win like that. It seemed that neither of them could gain the upper hand. Even though there were many dharmas used in the battle, the fight was inconclusive. After a while, I saw Lý Minh Vương hit Kim Quang Sứ with his stick and there were dark sparks splattered all over Lucifer as if a bottle of ink had been smashed upon him. Kim Quang Sứ then divided himself in two, creating a second person. From the Holy Body of the Supreme Being, I saw a Divine Dignitary, whose name I do not want to reveal, fought with the second Kim Quang Sứ.

No matter how many versions were created by Kim Quang Sứ, the same number appeared from His Holy Body. A great war commenced at this point. I was sitting on the cloud vehicle, observing the battle.

It went on so long that I fell asleep at some point. When I woke up, they were still fighting. The third time I woke up, the war had extended to the whole universe. I did not know how to join in the battle, but I realised that I could not sit on the cloud vehicle for ever. I had to find a way to help. Upon this thought, my dhammakaya created another person. Sitting on the cloud vehicle, I wore a white robe and hat like the simple ceremonial dress. I do not know what it was made of, but it gave me a delighted feeling! My second dharmakaya, however, wore the grand ceremonial dress. This costume is like the one I wear on earth, but my earthly one is only a rough copy of this.

After I changed into my grand ceremonial dress, I held the Giáng Ma Xử (staff of evil banishment) and the Kim Tiên (Golden Whip), hovering above the other dharmakaya in the cloud vehicle. The two dharmakayas are connected to each other like one person.

I saw that the battlefield was so vast. The Golden Whip used to belong to Cửu-Thiên Cảm-Ứng Lôi-Âm Phổ-Hoá Thiên-Tôn, that is, His Holiness Thái-Sư Văn-Trọng. He gave me one which you will see when entering the meditation hall. This dharma staff is used to destroy evil and to prevent them from entering the Great Divine Temple of the Supreme Being. It also prevents these forces from disturbing His children.

When I flew higher, I saw the vast battlefield which made it hard to fight. I held the Golden Whip and drew a circle to hem in the battle. It was not so different to the action of casting a net. When I concentrated on drawing the forces into a smaller area, the battlefield became much more concentrated. I could see that our side was defeating Kim Quang Sứ (Lucifer).

Our Holy Body had destroyed all the multiplications of Kim Quang Sứ. Finally, only His Eminence was left fighting with the original Kim Quang Sứ. They fought each other for a while. Then, Lý Minh Vương hit Kim Quang Sứ with his stick, and forced him to flee.

We can see why religions have said that the Dao is blocked. Moreover, when we arrive at the outer realm of the Paradise of Extreme Joy, we see two wheels spinning constantly. These two wheels are probably 5 to 10km tall like the Great Wall to prevent entrance by all souls.

Of these two doors, one emanates white nimbuses, and the other pinkish. When I first saw these, I did not know what to do. Then, when I used the Giáng Ma Xử (staff of evil banishment) and concentrated my thoughts on the wheels, they immediately stopped. If we look closely, we can see that the white wheel is a swastika. As it stopped spinning, the souls in the outer realm ran inside. I then commanded the other wheel to stop for the rest to come in.

At that moment, there was a Buddha standing above the wheels and performing Bắt Ấn (a mystical gesture of the hand[s]) upon them. The wheels started spinning again. In this way, only some of the souls had entered.

Is it because these liberated souls are locked outside the Paradise of Extreme Joy that I had to go let them in? I commanded the swastikas to stop again. When the Buddha re-spinned them, I was sure all souls had entered the Paradise of Extreme Joy. It is the Holy will of the Supreme Being, rather than coincidence as one might think.

Therefore, the Supreme Being ordered me to open the gate of the Paradise of Extreme Joy for the following two reasons:

- Firstly, the path from the Linh Tiêu Điện Ngọc Hư Cung to the Paradise of Extreme Joy at that time was barred by Kim Quang Sứ.

- Secondly, the monks who practised the Way but did not attain the true dharma for liberation were not allowed into this Paradise.

The Supreme Being wanted me to go there and guide the souls to their positions in the Paradise of Extreme Joy.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bắt Ấn – Perform dharma; a mystical gesture of the hands.

Cực-Lạc Thế Giới - The Paradise of Extreme Joy.

Cửu-Thiên Cảm-Ứng Lôi-Âm Phổ-Hoá Thiên-Tôn - 九天感應雷聲普化天尊. This is the position of the Principal Genii, head of the Lôi Bộ. He oversees the lightning, thunder and rain. According to the Fen Shen Yen I (a famous Chinese novel), His Holiness Nguơn Thỉ Thiên Tôn appointed the spirit of Thái Sư Văn Trọng (who is an officer to King Trụ) to the Cửu Thiên Cảm Ứng Lôi Thinh Phổ Hoá Thiên Tôn as head of the Lôi Bộ (Genies of Thunder) and the 24 Celestial Generals.

Cửu Thiên Khai Hóa - the Masters or Divine Beings of the Nine Heavens. A reference to the Divine Beings of the Nine Heavens who are responsible for creating these Nine Heavens and for teaching and elevating humanity.

Dao - Đạo (v), Tao (c), Way.

Giáng Ma Xử - The Staff for Evil Banishment.

Gươm Hùng-Kiếm - Sword of Elevation.

Hạ Ngươn Tam Chuyển - The last era of the Third Kalpa, Third Period of the Third Transition, Third Universal Transition.

Kim Quang Sứ - Satan, Lucifer.

Kim Tiên - Golden Whip, 金鞭 , a precious staff of  His Holiness Hộ-Pháp.  This dharma staff is used to destroy evil and to prevent evil forces from entering the Great Divine Temple of the Supreme Being.

Linh Tiêu Điện – The Court of God. The palace where the Supreme Being holds meetings with the Heavenly Council.

Ngọc Hư Cung - belongs to the Hư Vô Heaven. This is the Heavenly Council of the Eternal Law which controls and maintains the Divine Law. It also controls the progress and movement of the universe. Divine Jade Palace.

Thượng Trung Nhựt - Religious Name of the Caodaist Acting Pope.

34.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 23rd April 1949
(Lunar Calendar 26th Day of the 3rd month, year of the Buffalo)

The Hổn-Ngươn Thượng Thiên Realm where the Great and Merciful Father appears

Tonight, I will continue to preach about our desires to progress along the Divine Path to Eternal Life.

The Tạo-Hoá Huyền Thiên (The Tạo Hóa Heaven – or the Heaven of Creation under the Mother Goddess or Divine Realm of Creation.), the Phi Tưởng Diệu Thiên (the 8th of the 9 heavens, - and it is a Very Mysterious Heaven), and the Hư Vô Cao Thiên (The Realm of Nothingness) hold the power of liberation for all beings.

I am not allowed to describe them to you. Fortunately, they have been described to an extent in the Bible and it is not necessary to elaborate more. I may only describe to you the Hổn-Ngươn Thượng Thiên (or the Hổn-Ngươn heaven under the guidance of the Maitreya Buddha), which, in this first era of the Fourth Kalpa, holds the power to govern the temporal and spiritual sides of souls. Such power is led by the Maitreya Buddha. In this realm, we can see the Supreme Being, and can come closest to Him.

When I described the Ngọc Hư Cung (Heavenly Council of the Eternal Law) and the Linh Tiêu Điện (The Court of God), I referred to Him as an Emperor, rather than a Father. At the Hổn-Ngươn Heaven, He comes with the form and the name of the Great and Merciful Father. If the Jews attain liberation and return to this realm, they will see Him as their Jehovah who teaches and accompanies them during their life. I am sure that all souls dream about such happiness.

If the Chinese attain liberation, they will see Him in the image of Hồng Quân Lão Tổ (The Primordial Master, a Dharmakaya of the Supreme Being).

The Indians will see Him as Brahma, Shiva or Krishna, depending on their fate or mission.

The realm is where all beings unite with the Supreme Being. It is the ultimate destination for those humans who follow the Constitution and Laws of the Cao Dai religion. All souls will unite with Him, whether they attain liberation or not. He Himself comes there to teach us. He spares no knowledge or wisdom with His children during the reunion. His Holiness Nguyệt Tâm Chơn Nhơn (i.e. religious name of Victor Hugo when dwelling in the White Cloud Lodge), that is (Đức Chưởng Đạo/ the head of the Society of Foreign Missions) has said,

The Father gives to His children vitality

The Master bestows His own divinity

Such truth is only revealed in the Hổn-Ngươn Thượng Thiên. It is where we can enjoy this happiness.

Again the Hổn-Ngươn Thượng Thiên is an essential realm. We will unite with sublime beings and the intellectual souls from the level of Immortals through to Buddhas. They gather here to build their great cause. All destruction and transformation in the universe are decided here following universal laws. Particularly, they decide the agenda for the Dragon Flower Assembly of all beings. Therefore, when we return to this realm, we see the souls contemplating in silence without any distraction. They constantly invoke the name of the Supreme Being.

All souls exist as part of Him and the same form as His. It is no wonder that the teachings of Buddhism have said; if we come into being with our own image, we will attain liberation upon returning to our original form.

The Hổn-Ngươn Thượng Thiên is also called the Cung Định/ Cung Pháp [Realm of Destiny/Realm of the Dharma]. But why is it called the Cung Định, Cung Pháp? Because this realm assists all souls to become united with the Supreme Being.

The image and the name of the Supreme Being as well as the Great Immortals can be found there.

In the next sermon, I will guide the children of the Supreme Being to the Bạch Ngọc Kinh (White Jade Palace). What is this place? It is represented by the Bát Quái Đài (the Eight Trigrams Palace) we have built on earth.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bạch Ngọc Kinh – Divine White Jade Palace.

Bát Quái Đài - The Council of the Great Spirits which heads the Eight States of Soul, the Eight-sided Palace of God's presence, the Eight Trigrams Palace.

Chưởng Đạo – The head of Foreign Missions. This is His Holiness Nguyệt Tâm Chơn Nhơn (Victor Hugo). He was appointed to this position by the Supreme Being.

Hư Vô Cao Thiên - The Realm of Nothingness, under the authority of the Dipankara Buddha.

Hổn-Ngươn Thượng Thiên - The Hổn-Ngươn Heaven under the guidance of the Maitreya Buddha.

Hồng Quân Lão Tổ - The Primordial Master, A metamorphosis of the Jade Emperor/ the Supreme Being.

Linh Tiêu Điện – The Court of God. The palace where the Supreme Being holds meetings with the Heavenly Council.

Ngọc Hư Cung - belongs to the Hư Vô Heaven. This is the Heavenly Council of the Eternal Law which controls and maintains the Divine Law. It also controls the progress and movement of the universe. Divine Jade Palace.

Nguyệt Tâm Chơn Nhơn - Religious name of Victor Hugo when dwelling in the White Cloud Lodge.

Phi Tưởng Diệu Thiên - The Phi Tưởng heaven which is also the 8th of the 9 heavens. What does this “Phi Tưởng Diệu Thiên” stand for? It is a very mysterious heaven.

Tạo-Hoá Huyền Thiên - The Tạo Hóa Heaven – or the Heaven of Creation under the Mother Goddess or Divine Realm of Creation. This heaven belongs to the Mother Buddha.

35.- Delivered at the Tây Ninh Holy See 27th April 1949
(Lunar Calendar 30th Day of the 3rd month, year of the Buffalo)

Lôi Âm Temple where the Amitabha Buddha reigns

Today, I will continue to preach about our progress along the Path to Eternal Life.

I would like to ask all of you to pay special attention to today’s sermon because today it contains the secret dharma (Bí Pháp) for liberation. You should pay special attention while mustering all your faith in the Supreme Being. This will help you understand and remember the mechanism of liberation, which is all we really wish for when we submit ourselves to spiritual cultivation. It is essential that the goalie achievable.

Last time, I guided the children of the Supreme Being to enter the Paradise of Extreme Joy and we especially observed it and so now know well the Great Pyramid.

Tonight, I invite all of you to the Lôi Âm Tự (Temple of Thunder) where I presented myself to Amitabha Buddha. Because the Amitabha Buddha handed over his power to the Maitreya Buddha to be the Governor of the Universe, the Maitreya Buddha now resides at the Kim Tự Tháp (Pyramid) and the Amitabha Buddha has returned to the Lôi Âm Tự. The sole purpose for us to be here is to learn about Buddhist philosophies since the beginning of time.

All of these philosophies have been revealed to this planet. Due to lack of cultivation, humans do not know them. There is nothing secret about them at all. The mechanism of liberation in Buddhism has been present on this planet from its inception and is still here now. Buddhism is the most ancient and mother of all religions. In the temple, I both saw and heard the preaching of the Amitabha Buddha. It is where the most ancient form of Buddhism can be found.

When I reached the Lôi Âm Tự, immediately after my entry I heard the bell chimes. In the chimes, there was a voice telling me I should get into my dharma vehicle to go to the White Jade Palace. On both sides of my vehicle, there were two fairies and little angels who directed it. They were hurrying me into the vehicle so that we could leave quickly.

One day, when you enter the Meditation Hall, and have time, I will explain to you the physiognomy and image of this vehicle when it moves along the Divine Path to Eternal Life. Now I have passed the Cung Hổn-Ngươn Thượng Thiên (Hổn-Ngươn Heaven) where Maitreya Buddha summons the dharma and governs over the universe.

I have explained that in our minds this subject is still vague and we do not know why – why is the Holy Mother under the power of the Maitreya Buddha who is Her child? I felt displeased. Immediately after the thought, I saw the image of the Holy Mother standing in front of the Maitreya Buddha, who was kneeling with his two hands joining at his forehead. It showed me that although this son has a powerful role, whatever his rights and prerogatives might be, She still has the rights of the Mother which cannot be surpassed. The Maitreya Buddha obeys the orders of the Holy Mother regarding visible matters. Through all these scenes, I kept moving on the Dharma Vehicle along the Path to Eternal Life. It is hard to tell how much time it took.

Then, in the distance there were bright lights, much like the sun in the morning. It was like a halo of vital energy. When my dharma vehicle arrived at this place, a nimbus came to illuminate that vehicle, much like the light of a lighthouse on our planet. This nimbus illuminated my whole body and within me appeared a very strange back-flash. The closer the Dharma vehicle approached, the more joyful I felt. Sitting on this dharma vehicle, I felt like falling into a trance and did not know where I was. The joy was indescribable. It cannot be put into words.

When we come closer in, we can see a very strange object. It is a magnificent palace. Its colour is brilliant, and keeps changing. Vital energy covers its entire exterior as if giving life to the realm.

The huge palace is actually a living entity, unlike brick buildings on earth. Its colour changes endlessly. Such dharma cannot be fully described.

Houses on this planet are lifeless matters, while the White Jade Palace is full of life. It transforms and changes as though it is in operation. It is wrapped in vital energy from south to north and east to west. This block of light looks like the sun. While the light of the sun may be hot and uncomfortable, the light of the White Jade Palace is very gentle and mysterious. It is absolutely blissful.

Why is this palace alive? What gives life to it? It is not strange if we understand it.

The Bạch Ngọc Kinh is made of Hổn-Ngươn Khí (The Cosmic Fluid, the Supreme Ether) which transforms into the air we breathe. It feeds and nourishes all the beings. We exist because of it. How can it not be alive?

Sitting on my dharma vehicle, I arrived to see countless souls in front of the door. When the dharma vehicle stopped, I got out and saw the three doors of the White Jade Palace being guarded by the Twelve Lords of Zodiac in their uniforms of marshal with the dharma staffs in their hands. They prevented the souls from entering, which made me very upset. The three doors were far apart, each guarded by four Lords.

When I wanted to talk, those three doors swung in. The Twelve Lords of the Zodiac also came together and stood in front of me. I asked why they refused to let the waiting souls enter. They looked surprised, but answered that they were commanded not to let anyone pass. From their answer, I immediately knew that Kim Quang Sứ (Lucifer) was the one who had told them not to let souls enter the White Jade Palace. I turned to the souls and told them to come in. They rushed in like flood over the bank of a river. When all the souls had entered, I ordered the Twelve Zodiacal Lords to also enter. I then checked to see if anyone was left outside.

Lastly, I carried the Giáng Ma Xử (Sword of Evil Banishment) to enter the White Jade Palace. This palace is divided into three parts; the middle section is reserved for the sublime Buddhas, the left for the female college, and the right for the male college. I heard constant footsteps on the other side, but could only saw shadows on the wall. This wall is so strange; it is clear like dew.

At the beginning, I did not pay attention. As I went further, I saw that everyone had already taken their thrones. When all had settled in their place, I was still walking aimlessly, not knowing where to go. I was wondering why everyone had a seat except me. Suddenly, a Being was standing near me replied, “Your throne is over there.” I looked up and saw my throne which was quite magnificent, but in my guts I was doubting if someone wanted to make fun of me. When I showed my fear, the Being near me reassured, “That throne is your throne.”

From the very start of all time until now, although we can create positions on earth by shouldering suffering, there is no comparison with the realm. As I was thinking how to ascend my throne, steps appeared in front of me. After settling down, food and wine appear in front of everyone. I thought to myself why everyone had food but me. At that moment, a peach of immortality and a cup of wine came up. In this realm, all thoughts and wants will come true. We can never experience such a luxury and happy life on earth, not even after millions of reincarnations.

This is the Dragon Flower Assembly, which will take place at the white Jade Palace. The Supreme Being allowed me to see this in advance and to see the souls who will be enthroned there. One day, His children will also reside there as well. I stood there as a witness to pass this knowledge on to His children. If we attain liberation and unite with the Supreme Being, we will be reserved a throne there. We have reincarnated and weathered the suffering of life in order to create our position. Our suffering will be compensated in an incredible way. If we see it, we can easily understand that the Supreme Being never wants to be in debt to anyone.

Happiness will be bestowed on those who dare to offer themselves to Him, embody His love and become His servant. He will return our favour. When that Being becomes our servant and pays back to us, there is no happiness or value on earth that can compare.

Now I would like to speak about the female beings on the other side. On our side, I could only see their shadows and did not know why a wall had been set up to prevent us from seeing them. I was so upset with it. When I came near, the wall looked like dew. I could put my hands through it without tearing it apart.

Because of curiosity, I could not help wanting to see through. Upon such thought, the wall drew to one side, leaving an empty space. There were only females on the other side who were also as blissful as the males.

In this realm, those beings are very elegant because their dhammakaya is constantly changing and transforming in this White Jade Palace. I don’t know how they are so elegant. Therefore, if you ladies want to be elegant, you must cultivate yourselves to return to this realm. There is no such elegance on earth.

Since the time I attended the spiritual Dragon Flower Assembly, I no longer want to live. I want to die in order to return to this realm. The longer I live, the more discomfort I have. So I just want to die to return, but of course I cannot.

The Supreme Being does not allow those who are not sublime to see these realms. If they could, they might go insane or kill themselves to return and enjoy the happiness. Suicide will not bring them there, but will send them to Uổng Tử Thành (the dark realm of the unjust). They will be imprisoned to redeem such sin, and then have to reincarnate. We should be patient with our cultivation, especially those in the mountains (i.e. the Caodaists on the Bà Đen mountain). Those people will not be able to achieve their goal with their method.

When I continued on inside, I wanted to find out who is our Great and Merciful Father. Questions kept popping up in my mind. Is He also the Jade Emperor? Does He have a human form? How could I know Him? Then from far away, I saw something covered as if by a curtain. When I moved closer, I knew that He was there. This curtain concealed Him. In my mind, I wanted the curtain opened so I could see Him. Suddenly, the curtain opened to reveal stairs which recede into the far distance. Then, He stepped out, dressed in a white robe and turban like the simple ceremonial dress of the priests. He also wore two sashes around His waist. His beard was white and stunningly beautiful.

In my heart, I thought the Being at the Linh Tiêu Điện (the Court of God) donned a different costume; they must not be the same. Perhaps that was not Him? After this thought, I saw Him step out in the centre and looked directly at me. It seemed that He was asking me to just look. When I looked up at Him, I saw nimbus illuminate beautifully around Him. He was also holding a stick. At the end of this stick a gourd was attached. On one side of His body, He carried a bag, changed into the dress of the Jade Emperor. He turned His stick into a balance beam, the gourd into a scale tray, and His bag into the weight of the scale. These three precious objects constituted the Divine scale which we have seen at the Linh Tiêu Điện (meaning they are the same Being). He is no stranger. This Being before us is also our Great and Merciful Father constantly transforms to create the Universe.

In this way, even a flower may not be an inanimate matter. If we pick it without a reason, we may end a life of a Buddha and incur bad karma.

We may say an animal is just an animal, but perhaps it is a Bodhisattva incarnate. If we mistakenly eat it, one day it will return to the higher realms, sit on par with us, and remind us that, “In a previous life, you ate me once.” Those words are enough to make us regret and reincarnate. There are innumerable animals on earth among which there may be a Bodhisattva reincarnating in order to create their lotus throne. Ending the life of such a Being will render it very hard for us to attain liberation. Therefore, the Supreme Being has told us to be full-time vegetarians.

After seeing Him, I was still curious and wanted to know all about the White Jade Palace because it is so vast. I quickly approached and asked for His permission to see the entire palace. It seemed that He already knew what I was thinking. So He came close to a stool (the stool was near me, but I was not aware of it). When the Supreme Being knocked His stick on the Stool, it was transformed into an Old Man. I did not know his name, so I only called him Mr Stool. He guided me everywhere around the different places of the palace. In each realm, the souls seemed to shrink down like in a rockery. I went everywhere in the Bạch Ngọc Kinh (White Jade Palace), but still I was worried that I might have missed some of it. Even though it was my soul, I still felt tired. The immensely vast universe is contained within that realm.

There is no need to worry about lack of space/ seats in that realm. If ever they are not enough, just let me know – I will give you mine. I am sure there will be seats for all, or even more than enough.

While on Earth, we should try to cultivate ourselves so as to return to that realm. Regarding your throne or space there, just let me take care of it!

I have described all to you so that you will cultivate yourselves. It is now your own decision. Do not say later on that I did not tell you, or that you don’t know. For I have spoken in front of you all, and you are witnesses to this.

Now, the Divine Path to Eternal Life is finished.

The next time we meet, I will start to preach about the Secret Dharma.

TERMINOLOGY EXPLANATION

Bí Pháp - Secret Dharma, the esoteric (or occult) teaching/the esoteric doctrine.

Giáng Ma Xử - The Staff for Evil Banishment.

Hổn-Ngươn Khí - The Cosmic Fluid, the Supreme Ether.

Hổn-Ngươn Thượng Thiên - the Hổn-Ngươn Heaven under the guidance of Maitreya Buddha.

Khí – qi (c), energy.

Kim Quang Sứ - Satan, Lucifer.

Linh Tiêu Điện – The Court of God. The palace where the Supreme Being holds meetings with the Heavenly Council.

Lôi Âm Tự - Temple of Thunder in the Paradise of Extreme Joy.

Uổng Tử Thành - The dark realm where souls of the unjust dead are kept.