General introduction

Minh Ly Dao is a syncretic religion founded in Vietnam in 1924 through spiritualism by God under the divine plan for a new era of spirituality and lasting peace on Earth.  Minh Ly Dao means ‘The Way of Enlightening the Reason.’ 

The word LÝ ‘Reason’ has two aspects.  The first is the Divine Reason that creates all things in the Universe, the macrocosm.  This Reason is called in different religions by different names that have similar meanings: the Tao, Heaven, the Logos, the Word, the Divine Principle, the Suchness of Reality, etc.  The second aspect is the Human Natural Reason inside each individual, the microcosm. This is the Buddha nature that the individual should cultivate. 

Minh Ly Dao recognizes that

          “From One emanate many forms;

          And many forms return to One.”

Religion and science recognize the Oneness of the source from which all things and all beings are created.   This Oneness leads to universal love, justice, harmony and cooperation.  Through self-cultivation and meditation, Minh Ly Dao provides an eight-step ladder, for a lifetime of an individual, that can lead to union with God; in other words, immortality, everlasting life, nirvana or self-liberation.  Minh Ly followers worship the three-in-one Godhead and all other  Superior Spirits, Buddhas, Immortals and Saints of all religions. The Godhead comprises: The Mother Goddess, The Moulder of the Universe and The Jade Emperor who are worshiped in other religions under various names.  The followers are advised to practice self-cultivation and meditation digilently.  Meditation sessions are regularly organized.  Seasonal retreats at meditation centers are recommended. 

The main temple of Minh Ly Dao is Tam Tong Mieu (Three-Religion Temple) at 82 Cao Thang Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Bac Nha Meditation Center is at Long-Hai, an “Asilomar” (Refuge by the Sea.) 

The pupose of Minh Ly Dao is to find unity in the teachings of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism in order to return to the common origin of religions, promoting moral values, harmony and peace in the world.

The guiding principle of Minh Ly Dao is to harmonize all faiths, in establishing precepts and rules of conduct and promoting social justice, love, compassion and self-awakening.

The standpoint of Minh Ly Dao is to instruct its followers to truly practice self-improvement and not to allow personal and political interests to influence the conduct of religious affairs.

In the realization of its purpose, guiding principle and standpoint, Minh Ly Dao embraces the motto:

    Equality  –  Cooperation  –  Harmony