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Thích Minh Tuệ

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Thích Minh Tuệ
Thích Minh Tuệ in 2024
Personal life
Born
Lê Anh Tú

1981
Kỳ Anh district, Hà Tĩnh province
NationalityVietnam Vietnam
EducationCentral Highlands Forestry Intermediate School
(Trường Trung cấp Lâm nghiệp Tây Nguyên)
OccupationBhikkhu, Mendicant
Religious life
ReligionBuddhism
TempleNo fixed place
InstituteNo fixed place
SchoolTheravada Buddhism
SectTheravada Buddhism
Dhutangas
Dharma namesMinh Tuệ (Thích Minh Tuệ)

Thích Minh Tuệ (1981-), born Lê Anh Tú , is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk. After briefly practicing at a pagoda after giving up his job as a land surveyor, Thich Minh Tue decided to "learn and follow the Buddha's teachings" by observing the 13 ascetic practices of Theravada Buddhism and walking for alms across the country for many years. His 2024 walking journey attracted the attention of the Vietnamese public, attracting thousands of people to meet him and at times up to hundreds of people to follow him, leading to many social and security disturbances, and turning him into an "unwilling" Internet celebrity.

Lê Anh Tú, commonly known by his dharma name Thích Minh Tuệ, has established his own company and receives donations from various organizations and individuals across the country. His activities extend beyond charitable efforts, exerting significant influence within the community. He is regarded by many anti-government groups in Vietnam as a symbol of religious revolution, sparking a movement that garners support from dissidents.[citation needed]

While admired by many for his ascetic lifestyle and renunciation of material wealth, he has also stirred controversy as his role extends beyond that of a typical monk. His activities are closely monitored by the Vietnamese government, which is concerned that dissident groups may exploit his influence to challenge the existing political system.

His legitimacy is also a widely discussed topic. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha does not accept calling him a "Buddhist monk", but the Unified Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam recognizes this and praises him for having the virtues to qualify for that title. Agreeing with calling Thich Minh Tue a monk, although he himself does not identify himself as such, observers say that determining whether an individual is a monk or not does not depend on the consent of any organization.

Biography

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Lê Anh Tú was born in 1981 in Ky Van commune, Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh province, Vietnam.[1] He was the second child in a family of four children. In 1994, he moved with his family to Ia To commune, Ia Grai district, Gia Lai province.[2]

In Gia Lai, after completing high school, he went to fulfill his military service for three years. After demobilization, he attended the Tay Nguyen College of Forestry; after graduating, he worked as a land surveyor for a private company based in Gia Lai province.[3]

In 2015, Le Anh Tu decided to leave the secular world and become a monk, taking the dharma name[4] Minh Tuệ.[5] He then left the monastery and went into solitary retreat in the mountains, living in a cave and begging for food daily.[2][6] From 2017 to 2023, Minh Tue embarked on three walking pilgrimages as part of his "Dhutanga" practice, but these went nearly unnoticed, although there are some videos about him leaked on youtube. His fourth pilgrimage in 2024, however, drew widespread attention, with crowds of up to thousands of people following him on his journey.[7] He ended his alms-begging pilgrimage in early June of the following year after discussions with Vietnamese authorities.[8]

VnExpress quoted Thích Minh Tuệ as saying that he has never claimed to be a monk and he himself also "feels unworthy of being a monk because his morality has not yet reached that level".[5][9] The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha also affirmed that he is not a Buddhist monk, does not practice, and is not a staff member of any temple or monastery of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.[10][11][12]

Impact

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Adopting the image of an anonymous person who self-proclaims as "learning" according to Buddha's teachings and walking barefoot across the country, Thích Minh Tuệ has become an internet phenomenon in Vietnam.[13] Some people have also used his image on social media to increase interaction for online businesses.[14][15] Even on e-commerce platforms and social networks, there have been clothes and accessories designed in the colors of his attire.[16] His personal activities such as sleeping, bathing, and using the toilet have also been disturbed.[17] This internet phenomenon was likened to "view parties" by Dân Việt newspaper, reflecting the problem of excessive praise by content creators on digital platforms.[15]

Vietnamese authorities fear that dissidents in the country could exploit the "Thích Minh Tuệ phenomenon" to oppose the religious policies of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese government on social media, arguing that opposition organizations are trying to cause "division" and "conflict" in order to weaken the "national unity bloc" and go against traditional values. Local police forces have also coordinated with relevant units to implement a number of measures to ensure traffic safety and public order when Thích Minh Tuệ walks through the provinces.[15]

The Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province has disciplined Venerable Thich Minh Dao, abbot of Minh Dao Monastery, after he posted a video praising Thich Minh Tue. The Executive Board later concluded that Venerable Thich Minh Dao's "comments about Mr. Le Anh Tu are the right of each individual to think," but "the mistake is in using words that are not in line with his functions - authority leading to misunderstandings from many places."[18] Father Anton Maria Vu Quoc Thinh of the Society of Jesus called to inquire about Venerable Minh Dao after hearing that he had been disciplined.[18]

On May 30, 2024, a man following Thich Minh Tue on a pilgrimage died of heatstroke, multiple organ failure, and rhabdomyolysis. The man collapsed while traveling with Thich Minh Tue through Trieu Phong district, Quang Tri province, and was taken to a local hospital for emergency treatment, but did not survive.[19] In the following days, several cases of heatstroke were reported. The crowds following Thich Minh Tue caused traffic congestion, refused to give way to ambulances, littered, and defecated indiscriminately, causing unsanitary conditions, according to state press.[20]

According to information from the Committee for Religious Affairs of the Vietnamese government, Mr. Thich Minh Tue has voluntarily stopped his pilgrimage on foot since June 3, 2024.[21][8] According to the leadership of the Thua Thien Hue Police Department, the Gia Lai Police Department has assisted in making an ID card for Mr. Minh Tue.[22][23]

Reception

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Professor Dr. Nguyễn Hữu Liêm commented that the almsgiving of Buddhist monks from the past to the present is not unusual, so he also considers Thích Minh Tuệ's journey as normal.[24] According to Venerable Thích Thanh Huân, the "Thích Minh Tuệ phenomenon" is not noteworthy.[25] The newspaper Công Thương observed that although he does not reside in any temple and has chosen his own path for his practice, Thích Minh Tuệ has become "inadvertently famous".[26] Without delving much into Thích Minh Tuệ's practice, the newspaper Công an nhân dân focused on criticizing the public's interest in him, calling it "a disaster born from social media addiction".[27] Journalist Nguyễn Mạnh Hà, in an article for BBC News, commented that following Thích Minh Tuệ's journey has become a daily habit for many Vietnamese, but also noted that he is "inadvertently" taking on the role of the abbot of a "mobile temple".[28] The news outlet also emphasized that it is Thích Minh Tuệ's "simple, rustic" words that attract the public, even though he does not deliver profound sermons.[29]

Thích Minh Tuệ's ascetic journey has sparked various opinions about the legitimacy of his method of practice. The newspaper Tiền Phong commented that while Thích Minh Tuệ follows the Theravada tradition, he does not belong to any religious organization or temple, and the path he has chosen is "one of the most arduous."[citation needed] Venerable Thích Minh Đạo believes that Thích Minh Tuệ’s silent practice has "revived Vietnamese Buddhism in the hearts of Buddhists around the world,"[29] and referred to him as the embodiment of Mahakasyapa, a disciple of Buddha Shakyamuni who practiced Dhutanga his whole life. However, some in the monastic community compare him to another disciple, Devadatta, who betrayed Buddha, suggesting that the internet fame he garnered parallels the crime of disrupting unity that Devadatta committed. Monk Thích Đồng Đạo rejects calling Thích Minh Tuệ a "monk," arguing that his way of practice represents "a transformation in mindset seeking something unique that does not conform to any traditional teaching." Meanwhile, journalist Cù Mai Công praises his method of practice as "an incredible display of determination and letting go."[29]

Thích Minh Tuệ's fame has drawn members of the Vietnamese entertainment industry into the debate. Actress Angela Phương Trinh frequently posted critical comments about him and his followers on her social media accounts, even calling him a "villain."[30] She is a disciple of Venerable Thích Chân Quang, the abbot of Thiền Tôn Phật Quang mega temple in Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu province, who has also harshly criticized Thích Minh Tuệ, referring to him as a "con man."[29] The local media criticized the actress as "overzealous," "reckless," and "lacking standards," and called on authorities to "take appropriate action," while also urging "caution against religious exploitation."[31][32][33] She later issued an apology, deleted all comments directed at Thích Minh Tuệ, and expressed hope for public understanding, stating that she is "still on the path of learning the way."[34]

In response to the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha's document not recognizing Thích Minh Tuệ as a Buddhist monk, Dr. Hoàng Văn Chung, Head of the Department of Theoretical Research and Religious Policy at the Institute for Religious Studies, expressed his opinion: "As long as people believe and practice Buddhism, they have their rights. It is not necessary for them to have recognition from the Buddhist Sangha to be considered a Buddhist monk. Buddhism does not belong to anyone in particular."[35] According to monk Thích Đồng Long from the Unified Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam, an organization not under the control of the Vietnamese government, the notion that one is not a true monk if not recognized by the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha is "mistaken," indicating a lack of religious freedom in the country. On June 4, 2024, following reports that Thích Minh Tuệ had been forcibly stopped from his pilgrimage and taken away, the Unified Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam issued a statement affirming that he had maintained the proper conduct of a Buddhist monk and called on the Vietnamese authorities to allow him to practice his faith freely.[36]

References

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  1. ^ Diệu Mi (2024-05-17). "Giáo hội Phật giáo VN thông tin: Phát ngôn của thượng tọa Thích Chân Quang; thông báo về ông Minh Tuệ". thanhnien.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  2. ^ a b "Quá khứ chưa biết về 'sư Thích Minh Tuệ'". Báo điện tử Tiền Phong (in Vietnamese). 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  3. ^ Hồng Ánh. "Phú Yên phản hồi về thông tin "Sư Thích Minh Tuệ" từng làm công tác địa chính ở tỉnh". Báo Người Lao Động Online (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  4. ^ Hoàng Thanh. "Người cha kể về thuở nhỏ của "sư Thích Minh Tuệ"". Báo Người Lao Động Online (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  5. ^ a b Đức Hùng - Trần Hóa. "Ông Thích Minh Tuệ nói 'chưa từng nhận là tu sĩ'". vnexpress.net (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  6. ^ "Tổng hợp các phát biểu của sư Thích Minh Tuệ | Tiếng Dân". 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  7. ^ Trí, Dân (2024-05-17). "Phú Yên phản hồi thông tin "Sư Thích Minh Tuệ" từ bỏ việc địa chính". Báo điện tử Dân Trí (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  8. ^ a b "Ông Thích Minh Tuệ tự nguyện dừng đi bộ khất thực". BAO DIEN TU VTV (in Vietnamese). 2024-06-03. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  9. ^ Việt An - Võ Thạnh. "Ông Thích Minh Tuệ 'dừng đi bộ khất thực'". vnexpress.net (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  10. ^ "Giáo hội Phật giáo khẳng định "sư Thích Minh Tuệ" không phải là tu sĩ Phật giáo". VOV.VN (in Vietnamese). 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  11. ^ Phùng Minh (2024-05-17). "Ban Tôn giáo Chính phủ thông tin về "sư Thích Minh Tuệ"". Báo điện tử Dân Trí (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  12. ^ "RFA Insider Podcast Episode 10: Not just another Tuệsday". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  13. ^ ""Hiện tượng mạng" Thích Minh Tuệ và những sự ồn ào phản cảm". Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus) (in Vietnamese). 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  14. ^ "Ban Tôn giáo Chính phủ và Giáo hội Phật giáo Việt Nam ra văn bản về 'sư Thích Minh Tuệ'". TUOI TRE ONLINE (in Vietnamese). 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  15. ^ a b c Nguyễn Thịnh (2024-05-19). "Từ "hiện tượng mạng" Thích Minh Tuệ: Những "bữa tiệc" view và vấn nạn tung hô quá đà của Youtuber, TikToker". danviet.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  16. ^ "Shop thời trang online đua nhau bán trang phục 'bắt trend' thầy Thích Minh Tuệ". VOV.VN (in Vietnamese). 2024-05-30. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  17. ^ Thương, Báo Công (2024-05-20). "Làm phiền cả lúc ông Thích Minh Tuệ tắm, những Tiktoker "tặc" muốn gì? | Báo Công Thương". Báo Công Thương điện tử, kinh tế, chính trị, xã hội (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  18. ^ a b "Khen sư Thích Minh Tuệ, sư Thích Minh Đạo bị kiểm điểm: 'Cây muốn lặng mà gió chẳng đừng'". BBC News Tiếng Việt (in Vietnamese). 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  19. ^ Thanh Thủy - Mai Trang (TTXVN) (2024-05-30). "Một người đàn ông đi theo đoàn ông Thích Minh Tuệ bị tử vong do sốc nhiệt, suy đa tạng". baotintuc.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  20. ^ "Nhiều người bị sốc nhiệt, đuối sức khi đi theo ông Minh Tuệ". VOV.VN (in Vietnamese). 2024-06-02. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  21. ^ Lam Giang (2024-06-03). "Tự nguyện dừng đi bộ khất thực, ông Thích Minh Tuệ rời đi như thế nào?". cafef (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  22. ^ Minh, Báo Pháp Luật TP Hồ Chí (2024-06-04). "Sư Minh Tuệ đã được Công an Gia Lai làm CCCD sau khi dừng đi bộ khất thực". Báo Pháp Luật TP. Hồ Chí Minh (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  23. ^ "Hỗ trợ ông Lê Anh Tú (Thích Minh Tuệ) làm Căn cước công dân tại Thừa Thiên - Huế". Phụ nữ & Pháp luật - Tạp chí điện tử Người đưa tin pháp luật - Cơ quan Trung ương Hội Luật gia Việt Nam (in Vietnamese). 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  24. ^ ""Nên coi chuyện bộ hành của ông Thích Minh Tuệ là bình thường"". danviet.vn (in Vietnamese). 2024-05-19. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  25. ^ "Thượng tọa Thích Thanh Huân: "Hiện tượng ông Minh Tuệ không có gì đáng rầm rộ"". danviet.vn (in Vietnamese). 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  26. ^ Nam, Kinh tế Việt. "Đừng biến Thích Minh Tuệ thành người nổi tiếng bất đắc dĩ!". Kinh tế Việt Nam (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  27. ^ "Khi kiếp nạn sinh ra từ ngáo mạng xã hội". Báo Công an Nhân dân điện tử (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  28. ^ "Thích Minh Tuệ - người được chọn?". BBC News Tiếng Việt (in Vietnamese). 2024-05-31. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  29. ^ a b c d "Sư Thích Minh Tuệ đến từ đâu, tại sao phải dừng?". BBC News Tiếng Việt (in Vietnamese). 2024-06-08. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  30. ^ Nguyễn Thừa (June 2, 2024). "Although Angela Phương Trinh's statements are inappropriate, vigilance is necessary". Công Thương. Ministry of Industry and Trade. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  31. ^ Thương, Báo Công (2024-06-02). "Dù Angela Phương Trinh phát ngôn chưa đúng, nhưng cũng cần cảnh giác | Báo Công Thương". Báo Công Thương điện tử, kinh tế, chính trị, xã hội (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  32. ^ ""Sự lộng ngôn của Angela Phương Trinh khi nhắc tới ông Thích Minh Tuệ khiến lời xin lỗi vô dụng"". danviet.vn (in Vietnamese). 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  33. ^ "Angela Phương Trinh xin lỗi, cơ quan chức năng cũng phải xử lý đúng quy định". laodong.vn (in Vietnamese). 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  34. ^ "Angela Phương Trinh xin lỗi, xóa các phát ngôn nhắm vào ông Thích Minh Tuệ". VietNamNet News (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  35. ^ Viết Thịnh (May 17, 2024). "The 'Venerable Thích Minh Tuệ' phenomenon: Many people are 'leaning more towards superstition than true faith'". Pháp Luật Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh. People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  36. ^ "Sư Thích Minh Tuệ 'ẩn tu' giữa lúc chính quyền thắt chặt quản lý tăng sĩ?". BBC News Tiếng Việt (in Vietnamese). 2024-06-05. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
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