The main ritual of Dai le Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung was held last night at Bao An Tu, where the Holy Mother and the Nine Goddesses were reverently welcomed in a sacred atmosphere.

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At 10 PM on the full moon night of the eighth lunar month, the central ceremony of the great Dai le Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung was conducted at Bao An Tu, located in the Holy See of Tay Ninh.
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In this solemn setting, thousands of Cao Dai followers and pilgrims quietly gathered in reverence.
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Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung (celebrating the Holy Mother) is one of the two most important annual festivals of the Cao Dai religion, alongside the celebration of Duc Chi Ton on the 9th day of the first lunar month.
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Nearly an hour before the ceremony, hundreds of clergy and followers began assembling around Bao An Tu.
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At exactly 10 PM, the sound of a gong signaled the beginning of the offering ritual. The surroundings fell silent. Inside Bao An Tu, following the ceremonial procession, dignitaries offered hymns and recited spiritual poetry - each verse praising the Holy Mother’s grace and teachings of compassion, benevolence, and enlightenment for all beings.
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Outside, thousands of worshippers sat in silence, directing their hearts toward the inner sanctuary throughout the ceremony. The sacred silence was broken only by ceremonial music and the soft murmur of sutras.
Minh Phuc, 64, a Cao Dai devotee from Tien Giang, shared, “Every year I return to the Holy See for the Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung. Wearing the white ao dai, kneeling before Bao An Tu at 10 PM, I feel completely at peace, as if all burdens have been lifted. I only pray for my family’s well-being and a life in harmony with the faith.”
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Worshippers joined in prayer with palms together. According to Cao Dai tradition, both men and women wear white ao dai garments, symbolizing simplicity, humility, and spiritual purity.
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The core doctrine of Cao Dai emphasizes love as its foundation, righteousness as its guiding principle, service to humanity as its mission, and the salvation of souls as its ultimate goal. It seeks to build an ethical and peaceful society through a spirit of universal compassion.
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Many followers expressed deep emotion witnessing thousands dressed in white, hands folded in prayer, chanting in unison under the moonlit sky. To them, the white ao dai is not merely ceremonial attire but a “garment of the heart” - a symbol of purity, simplicity, and steadfast faith in goodness.
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Many others sat quietly along nearby sidewalks, facing toward Bao An Tu and joining the ritual in sincere devotion.
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The 10 PM ritual is the highlight of the Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung festivities. Beyond being an offering ceremony, it is also a deeply artistic and spiritual event. From music and poetry to decorative offerings and ritual movements, every element reflects a sacred connection between humanity and the divine, between religious devotion and cultural tradition.
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Leading up to this moment, thousands of followers participated in three days of formal worship, including daily ceremonies at the hours of Ty, Ngo, and Me. These included chanting, incense offerings, and prayers for national peace and prosperity at the Holy See and Bao An Tu.
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The Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung was first held on the full moon of the eighth lunar month in the year 1925 (At Suu) at the home of Thuong Pham Cao Quynh Cu in Saigon.

Nguyen Hue