FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, POWERS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION AND ITS AFFILIATED RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
CHAPTER VI. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Article 23: Organizational structure of Minh Ly Dao
The administrative structure of the Holy Church consists of two levels: the Central level (the Council of the Holy Church, the Institute for the Preservation of the Doctrine, the Executive Institute, Long Hoa Academy, the Board of Administration, and the Nine Departments) and the local level (Bac Nha Tinh Duong, the Overseas Long Hai branch, local branches (Chi dao), and religious establishments).
Article 24: Affiliated religious organizations
These include: the Institute for the Preservation of the Doctrine, the Executive Institute, the Board of Administration, Bac Nha Tinh Duong, the Long An Sacred Shrine, the Overseas Long Hai branch, Long Hoa Academy, the Nine Departments, and the local branches (Chi dao).
Article 25: The Council of the Holy Church is the highest representative body, delegating administrative duties to the Board of Administration. Its members are senior clergy (no more than 15 persons), serving for life, comprising: the Dinh Phap, the Tong Ly, the Hiep Ly, the Abbot (Chu Tri), the Chuong Ly / Chairwoman (or Vice-Chairwoman) of the Women’s Order, the Head of Bac Nha Tinh Duong, the managers of the local branches, together with advisors who meet the required standard of cultivation.
Articles 26–34: These articles establish the structure of the Institute for the Preservation of the Doctrine (headed by the Dinh Phap/Tong Ly); the Executive Institute (headed by the Tong Ly/Hiep Ly, no more than 15 persons); Bac Nha Tinh Duong (a Head of the Retreat and a Supervisory Board); Long Hoa Academy (a Director, Deputy Director, and 9 members); the Overseas Long Hai branch (a Manager, Deputy, and 5–9 members); the Board of Administration (5 official members plus 2 alternates, serving a 5-year term, elected by the General Assembly of Disciples); the Nine Departments (09 Departments, each with 5–19 members); the local branches (Chi dao)/the Long An Sacred Shrine (5–9 members); and religious establishments (3–5 members).
Articles 35–45: Duties and powers of each level
- The Council of the Holy Church: presides over religious activities, safeguards the true transmission of the doctrine, approves policies for religious administration, decides on the establishment of training institutions (Long Hoa Academy), reviews commendations and disciplinary matters, and confirms the appointment of clergy.
- The Institute for the Preservation of the Doctrine: systematizes the doctrine and religious history, supervises religious activities, oversees the study and cultivation of disciples, organizes training in meditative cultivation (Huyen Cong), and proposes promotions or disciplinary actions.
- The Executive Institute: manages the administrative affairs of the Holy Church, and oversees the Board of Administration, the Nine Departments, and affiliated establishments.
- Bac Nha Tinh Duong: organizes meditation classes, prepares facilities for study and cultivation, supervises retreat participants, and maintains relations with fellow religions.
- Long Hoa Academy: trains and develops clergy and religious practitioners.
- The Overseas Long Hai branch: manages personnel and religious affairs of overseas branches, liaises with local authorities, and reports periodically.
- The Board of Administration: liaises with government authorities, handles official correspondence, drafts matters for submission to the Council of the Holy Church, and organizes the General Assembly of Disciples.
- Local branches (Chi dao): manage local personnel, guide worship activities, and disseminate the religious administration program.
- Religious establishments: organize activities, manage local clergy, disciples, and believers, and attend to their study and cultivation.
- Regarding religious activities abroad: the Council of the Holy Church has the authority to establish overseas branches or establishments, appoint or replace clergy, and approve documents in accordance with the Charter and the laws of Vietnam and of the host country.
Article 42: The Nine Departments (09 specialized Departments) comprise: the Department of Rites and Music (overseeing offerings and guiding worship practices); the Department of Sanctification (teaching vocational skills, caring for the Minh Ly Youth, and providing scholarships); the Department of Reconciliation (resolving internal disputes); the Department of Sustenance (attending to the material needs of those cultivating at the temple, ritual offerings, and supplies); the Department of Internal Affairs (administration and believer registry); the Department of Doctrine (doctrinal classes and the printing of scriptures); the Department of Charitable Works (social relief); the Department of External Affairs (relations with fellow religions); and the Department of Finance (management of assets, income and expenditure, and financial planning). Where conditions do not permit the establishment of all Nine Departments, only 3 Departments may temporarily be organized: Internal Affairs, Sustenance, and Doctrine.
CHAPTER VII. DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE LEADERSHIP BODIES
Articles 46–59: These articles set out in detail the responsibilities and powers of: members of the Council of the Holy Church; members of the Institute for the Preservation of the Doctrine and the Executive Institute; the Abbot (Chu Tri); the Head and Deputy of Bac Nha Tinh Duong; the Chair of the Supervisory Board; the Director/Deputy Director of Long Hoa Academy; the Manager/Deputy of the Overseas Long Hai branch; the Chair/Vice-Chair/Members of the Board of Administration (including organizing the General Assembly of Disciples of the entire faith once every 5 years); the Heads/Deputy Heads of the Nine Departments; the Manager/Deputy of local branches (Chi dao); and the Head/Deputy of religious establishments. In general, each level is responsible for managing and administering its own unit, developing programs and plans, coordinating among organizations, reporting and making proposals to higher levels, and carrying out duties delegated or assigned to it.