Thich Minh Tue practises mendicancy in his hometown of Gia Lai Province.
Le Anh Tu, 43, a Buddhist who uses the name Thich Minh Tue, has attracted many followers while begging for alms throughout the country. He has just sent a letter to local authorities asking for help to prevent people from posting his images on social media without his consent.
The monk's family, which resides in the Central Highlands Province of Gia Lai's Ia Grai District, shared the monk's appeal on November 13.
According to the handwritten letter signed by Thich Minh Tue, the monk begged people to stop gathering in large crowds, which caused traffic congestion and public disorder and interfered with his activities. He also asked local authorities to deal with those who posted and shared his images and information on social media without his consent.
In the letter, the monk also said he was only a layperson following and practising Buddha's teachings. He wished to receive support and favourable conditions to continue his activities.
Police in Gia Lai Province also warned about people using the image of Thich Minh Tue to distort the state's policies on religious issues. They have also advised people not to gather and follow the monk in big crowds, as it causes public disorder and affects his life.
According to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, Thich Minh Tue began practising Buddhism, walking barefoot, begging for alms, and travelling across Vietnam in 2017. He made three such trips between 2017 and 2023.
In early 2024, he made the fourth walk from the southern-central province of Khanh Hoa, heading towards northern mountainous provinces. However, on his journey back to the south in May, large crowds started following him after his story was posted and spread on social media.
The monk was open to sharing his beliefs when asked. His strict practice includes walking barefoot, feeding himself only with alms, seeking shelter in forests, bushes, or cemeteries, and refusing all material possessions. His commitment to observing these precepts has moved and inspired many people.
Thich Minh Tue has become a national phenomenon, with hundreds of internet users, profiles, and social pages on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok following and broadcasting his walks.
Long lines of people queued up to wait for him and follow him as he reached the central region, including the curious and people who wanted to pay their respects, along with hundreds of social media followers who have been live streaming his journey on their channels—resulting in public disorder and traffic disturbances.
Thich Minh Tue is currently practising mendicancy in his hometown of Gia Lai Province.