In Vietnam, social phenomenon Thich Minh Tue stops pilgrimage, alms-receiving practice
Monday, June 03, 2024, 15:44 GMT+7
Thich Minh Tue, whose real name is Le Anh Tu, well known for his barefoot journeys from the south to the north, has voluntarily stopped pilgrimage and alms-receiving practices, the Vietnam News Agency reported on Monday.
According to the Vietnam Government Committee for Religious Affairs, Tu, born in Ky Van Commune under Ky An District in the north-central province of Ha Tinh in 1981, has his permanent residence registered in Ia Grai District, located in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai.
He is holding no citizen identification card.
Many of his admirers thought that he was a Buddhist monk.
However, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha affirmed that Tu is not a Buddhist monk, while he does not see him as a monk.
He declared that he is just a citizen, learning and practicing the Buddha’s teachings.
From 2017 to 2023, Tu took three barefoot pilgrimages from the south to the north and back.
During this period, his alms-receiving and pilgrimage practices went smoothly and favorably, and did not cause social disorder.
This year, he made his fourth barefoot journey from Khanh Hoa Province in south-central Vietnam, heading to Cao Bang and Ha Giang Provinces in the northern region.
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| Throngs of people follow Thich Minh Tue walking on a local street in Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam, May 28, 2024. Photo: Duc Tai / Tuoi Tre |
He was on the way back, and traveled to Thua Thien-Hue Province in the central region on Sunday afternoon.
However, during his return jaunt, throngs of people followed him, leading to social disorder and negatively affecting the environmental landscape.
In particular, among these followers, a man, named Luong Thanh Son, who lived in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, died of heatstroke, multi-organ failure, and gastrointestinal bleeding on May 30.
In addition, two women who followed Tu fainted from exhaustion and heatstroke on Sunday last week.
As such, local authorities met with Tu and expressed their respect for religious freedom, underlining that the authorities always create favorable conditions for him to walk barefoot and do religious practices.
Besides, officials also stated that it was vital to ensure the safety of residents and social security.
Therefore, Tu voluntarily stopped his barefoot and alms-receiving journey.
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