Tòa Thánh Tây Ninh – the most magnificent religious complex of the Cao Đài faith.

The Tây Ninh Holy See – a truly unique architectural marvel, brought to life through sheer human effort and profound faith, without ever relying on a single blueprint.
Architectural Marvel Built with Faith and Human Endeavor
While other structures rely on architects and blueprints for their design and construction, the Tây Ninh Holy See was built by Đức Phạm Hộ Pháp (Guardian Phạm) without any formal plans or drawings, relying entirely on the dedication of its laborers.

The Tây Ninh Holy See.
The Tây Ninh Holy See, affectionately known by locals as the Holy Temple, is located on Phạm Hộ Pháp Street, Hòa Thành town, Tây Ninh province.
Considered one of the most magnificent religious architectural works of Cao Đàiism, the Tây Ninh Holy See showcases unique architecture that attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Tây Ninh Holy See - The Central Place of Worship for Cao Đàiism
While grand constructions typically involve architects designing and building according to blueprints, the Cao Đài Tây Ninh Holy See was built by Đức Phạm Hộ Pháp (Guardian Phạm) without any formal documents or drawings, relying entirely on the hard work and dedication of its laborers.
Construction began in 1933, was completed in 1947, and the Holy See was finally inaugurated in 1955. It was built with the collective effort of local people who received no wages for their work. Many even abstained from marriage during construction to ensure the necessary balance of 'yin and yang' for the structure. All theories regarding its dimensions and architecture were guided by Đức Lý Giáo Tông Giáng Cơ (His Holiness Lý, the Supreme Being Manifested).

The inner precinct of the Holy See spans 1 km². The layout of this magnificent structure embodies profound religious and mystical philosophies. According to sacred texts, the Holy See symbolizes the Jade Palace (Bạch Ngọc Kinh) manifesting in the mortal world. You'll notice easily recognizable symbols like the Guardian (Hộ Pháp) statue and the Ông Thiện (Goodness) statue, all crafted with meticulous care and elaborate detail.
Within the fenced inner precinct of the Holy See, nearly 100 different architectural works, including the Main Holy See building, various administrative offices of the Cao Đài religion, and stupas (Bửu Tháp), are interconnected. Wide, expansive roads link these structures together.

Fundamentally, the Tây Ninh Holy See harmonizes a myriad of unique architectural styles from various religious structures worldwide. This edifice clearly exemplifies the core principles of Cao Đàiism: 'All Religions Return to One Source' (Tam giáo quy nguyên) and 'Unification of the Five Branches' (Phục Nhứt Ngũ Chi).
The Holy See measures 97.5 meters long and 22 meters wide, featuring similarities to the bell tower systems found in Christian churches. At its center, the Tây Ninh Holy See's roof is crowned with a statue of Maitreya Buddha.
The overall architectural motif of this religious complex is 'Long Mã Bái Sư' (Dragon-Horse Worshiping the Master). The face of the Dragon-Horse is depicted on the front façade of the Holy See, gazing directly westward. Above, two towering bell and drum towers rise like sharp horns. Situated centrally between the drum and bell towers is a building with a ground floor named Tịnh Tâm Đài (Pure Heart Terrace).
The second floor of the Holy See, named Phi Tưởng Đài (Flying Imagination Terrace), resembles the forehead, with two doors serving as the Dragon-Horse's eyes. The Cửu Trùng Đài (Nine-Tiered Pavilion) forms the body, followed by the Hiệp Thiên Đài (Union with Heaven Terrace). The tail of the Dragon-Horse is located at the rear of the Holy Temple, in the Bát Quái Đài (Eight Trigrams Terrace) area. This sacred religious structure is notably built with bamboo-reinforced concrete, a characteristic feature of Cao Đài Holy See constructions.

The imagery of the Tây Ninh Holy See also evokes for visitors the profound connection between the circular shape of Heaven and the square form of Earth. These are fundamental cosmological theories in Confucianism.
The Bát Quái Đài (Eight Trigrams Terrace) of the Tây Ninh Holy See shares a similar shape with the Bagua (Bát Quái Đồ) of Taoism. On top of this detail, there are also three Buddha statues. Inside the Tây Ninh Holy See, the Cửu Trùng Đài (Nine-Tiered Pavilion) is built with nine ascending levels.

The surrounding area of the Holy See features 12 Tam Quan gates (triple gates), constructed in three distinct architectural styles. The main gate is called Chánh Môn (Main Gate), while the remaining 11 gates are numbered from 1 to 11.
Surrounding the Holy See, a total of 112 round columns support the eaves in the corridors. The window frames are adorned with lotus patterns, framing a Divine Eye (Thiên Nhãn) symbol. At the center of the Grand Hall's wall, an equilateral triangle encircles this symbol. In total, there are 23 lotus panels featuring the Divine Eye. The main entrance through Tịnh Tâm Điện (Pure Heart Palace) is complemented by six auxiliary entrances, each flanked by statues of Kim Mao Hầu (Golden-Haired Monkey).
Unique Festivals at Tây Ninh Holy See
As the birthplace of Cao Đàiism, Tây Ninh has long been a sacred land for tens of thousands of followers nationwide, hosting two of the most significant festivals in the local faith.
Via Đức Chí Tôn Ceremony (Birthday of the Supreme Being): Held annually on the 9th day of the first lunar month, this is one of the most famous Tây Ninh Holy See festivals, widely known by both locals and tourists. It's also the largest annual festival celebrated at this grand complex.
During the festival, thousands of locals gather outside the Tây Ninh Holy See to admire the unique beauty of the incense dragons. Additionally, visitors can witness cheerful and distinctive dances performed by mythical creatures like the jade qilin, turtle, phoenix, and dragon-horse.
An ethnic orchestra performs in front of the Holy Temple and the Báo Ân Từ (Gratitude Temple), creating an incredibly vibrant atmosphere. Afterwards, this orchestra parades past the East and West grandstands, making for a truly lively spectacle.
Visitors to the Tây Ninh Holy See during festival times can also explore numerous stalls showcasing historical models and more. Through these activities, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture, humanitarian values, and national traditions.

Hội Yến Diêu Trì Cung (Mid-Autumn Festival of the Jade Pool Palace): Held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the Hội Yến at Tây Ninh Holy See is another festival that attracts widespread participation from both locals and tourists.
The festival kicks off with a unique incense dragon dance featuring Long (Dragon), Lân (Qilin), Quy (Turtle), and Phụng (Phoenix). Visitors here will immerse themselves in an incredibly lively atmosphere.
The incense dragon dance at Tây Ninh Holy See is a highlight of the ceremonial part of the festival, a spectacle visitors shouldn't miss if they have the chance to visit this site. Additionally, the communal vegetarian feast at the Tây Ninh Holy See is another unique activity at this festival.
In the days leading up to the event, you'll feel the vibrant bustle as local residents prepare and adorn the roads and landscaping for the festival.
The ceremonial segment features religious activities such as prayers, the procession of flower floats, and dances by incense dragons, jade qilin, turtles, and phoenixes. The procession of the Buddha flower float is the grandest event of this festival, a meticulously prepared performance by the local adherents.

The Tây Ninh Holy See (located in Long Hoa ward, Hòa Thành town) is a truly unique religious architectural masterpiece. It's also known as Tổ Đình (Ancestral Temple), as it's the birthplace of Cao Đàiism and houses the central administrative bodies of the Cao Đài Holy Council.
The Tây Ninh Holy See is majestically shaped like a 'Long Mã' (dragon-horse) kneeling in reverence, with its head facing west. Its two towering 'horns' reaching towards the sky are the drum tower and the bell tower on either side.

The unique architecture of the Tây Ninh Holy See is a fascinating blend of traditional Vietnamese styles with elements from Islamic mosques and Taoist temples.
Tay Ninh 6969 view
Update day : 22/10/2023
Source : Vietnamplus.vn Affiliate links
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