Abstract
This research note presents a part of the religious activities of ethnic Chinese who constitute one of the main ethnic groups living in the Mekong Delta region in South Vietnam. Chi Thien Minh temple Confucian sanctuary (Chua Chi Thien Minh.Khong Tu Thanh Dien , hereafter: Khong Tu Thanh Dien), which is a facility of Minh Duc Nho Giao Dai Dao religion located in Cau Ngang county, Tra Vinh province, was chosen as an example. According to documents obtained at Khong Tu Thanh Dien, it is regarded as the only Confucian temple in the activity area of Cau Ngang and that people gathering there are Confucianists. However, we found some similar points among Confucianism, Tien Thien Dao(Chinese: Xian Tian Dao) and Cao Dai during our research. Objects of worship of these three religions were placed on the altar in Khonh Tu Thanh Dien. Thien dan (spiritualist meeting to heighten order and discipline among the believers) were enshrined and Pho loan(planchette writing) was often carried out. In addition, costumes worn at the Bon Festival were similar to those of Cao Dai. On the basis of these facts, we consider Minh Duc Nho Giao Dai Dao being a religion related to Tien Thien Dao and Cao Dai.
