Venerable Minh Tuệ has been practicing the dhuta ascetic path for nearly seven years. Although he is not the only monk in Vietnam to follow this practice, his mysterious retreat has drawn significant attention from the Vietnamese people.
Minh Tuệ is currently on a pilgrimage from Vietnam to India, on foot, to pay homage at the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. At present, he is in Thailand, approximately 250 kilometers from the Myanmar border, accompanied by 16 disciples whom he refers to as his brothers.
This article was written in June 2024, during a time when Ven. Minh Tuệ was reportedly forced into seclusion in his homeland.
Some call Monk Minh Tuệ “thầy” (master), a practitioner who belongs to nowhere other than the infinite expanse of Heaven and Earth. Some call him “ngài” (venerable), a mendicant, a beggar, a lunatic . . . but he refers to himself as “con” (child) to those he meets, saying, “My Dharma name is Minh Tuệ. I wish everyone happiness. Amitabha Buddha.”
That’s all. Just that. Which is why some consider him naïve. Those who favor eloquence criticize him even more because his words lack the grand rhetoric they often use. Because of this, there are voices objecting to calling him “thầy” or “sư” (monk), although it has long been tradition to address Buddhist practitioners in this way.
On the other hand, those who call Ven. Minh Tuệ “thầy” do so because they have learned great lessons from his concise words, from his steadfast commitment to the vow he made when he left everything behind to walk the path of extinguishing greed, anger, and delusion. His simple yet practical teachings of Buddhist principles have become Dharma talks for many. His words have become the teachings of a true master. He is called “thầy” because of the Vietnamese tradition of respecting teachers—learning even a single letter makes one a student, even half a letter warrants respect. Beyond that, the discussions surrounding him in society have given rise to stories worth listening to and contemplating.
Ordinary people are most receptive to his easily understood, easily practiced words. They are simple, like the language they use every day, yet they shine a light that seems to dissolve life’s immediate hardships. Losing a job, not having enough money for a child’s education, or closing a gold shop—what of it? Challenges always lie ahead; we can only avoid them by moving through them. Just live with compassion and generosity, and goodness will come. The restless crowd has found a spiritual refuge in these times—an era that some call the decline of the Dharma, others call inflation, the post-COVID age, or a time of looming world war. There was a time when experts lulled people into believing things would improve quickly, yet what people need is more than just promises. Perhaps, by following Monk Minh Tuệ, a man without possessions, they have found their own path—owning nothing, yet still finding happiness.
A flesh-and-blood human before us, needing only one vegetarian meal a day, taking in the wind and sky as nourishment for his solitary journey, walking through life’s rough paths and hidden turns. The crowd weaves extraordinary tales about him—how the muscles in his small, frail body have been forged into diamond by Heaven and Earth. Six years of refining this diamond have given him the courage to take each step on his journey. Or was it his willpower, cultivated from the very first step he took? People watch him daily, hourly, as he goes door to door begging for alms, enduring shame, and courageously admitting that begging is something disgraceful—yet he still embraces it fully for the sake of his spiritual path. In a short time, Monk Minh Tuệ has become a phenomenon on social media. But don’t mistake the common folk for being naïve and easily deceived. Their watchful eyes judge his every step.
Those once called vultures—those who sought views and profit from the image of a wandering monk—have gradually changed under the influence of Minh Tuệ. What did they learn from him? In the early days of his rise to fame, crowds of YouTubers and TikTokers posted intrusive, even disrespectful content about his private life. Of course, not all content creators did this. Some were the first to bring to the digital world the inspiring image of a barefoot monk walking under the scorching sun. In March and April 2024, when temperatures reached nearly 50°C at noon, the monk still smiled. But those beautiful moments were soon overshadowed by waves of intrusive content. Later creators, desperate to capitalize on the trend, sought dramatic angles, trying to expose something scandalous. Yet the monk made it clear—his life was an open book. Those who wished to dig up dirt read it and understood. The storm of online takedowns against him gradually faded and disappeared.
Without scandal, the masses—accustomed to online exposés—couldn’t stop. They had to find someone else to uncover. The target shifted to other monks, to the names behind religious titles. Minh Tuệ was likened to a “demon-revealing mirror,” shining a harsh light on Vietnam’s Buddhist system. The controversy peaked, and soon an entire religion came under fire on social media. The storm expanded, attacking from all directions. Was this another faith trying to destroy Buddhism? Was there a political agenda? Minh Tuệ himself had no social media. He had no idea this was happening, nor did he want it to. But those following him knew. Those watching online knew. The debates continued, but they became more measured. People spoke to each other with more respect, as if the monk’s words were slowly seeping into a society addicted to negativity.
Standing outside the chaos of the two months that made Minh Tuệ a phenomenon were those who could grasp profound meanings in just a few words—those who had studied Buddhism, those who understood life, and those searching for goodness. They cautiously examined the social media narratives, filtering out the noise to seek their own lessons. And in the words some call naïve, they find a way to live honestly. A man being exalted by the world remains humble before those he meets. He refuses bows of reverence. He shares his knowledge with anyone, always smiling. He knows when it is enough—having more means nothing. He carries great strength yet expresses it with gentleness, for that is how he sees life. So, does his background matter? Who he truly is—does it really change anything?
Seventy-one people, on hearing his words and meeting him, were moved to tears and voluntarily followed in his footsteps, although Minh Tuệ never accepted disciples. He walked at the back of the group, ensuring that those behind could keep up with the spiritual journey that had sharpened and quickened his own steps. He left space for young minds to grow into the Dharma naturally—slowly, but surely. Many later left the group, but those who remained stood firm because their teacher stood firm. Even if the group dispersed, Minh Tuệ remained a magnet, drawing his disciples back to Gia Lai despite the difficult path. If that’s not inspirational leadership, what is? No grand sermons, no lofty social status needed. What is it, if not the responsibility of one who walks ahead, passing faith to those who follow?
Observing him, one can see the transformation. His once carefree, joyous demeanor of a seeker shifting into the firm posture of a man carrying the weight of spreading the Dharma. The resilience once imprinted only in his footsteps now manifests as he guides an ever-growing following. From this moment on, the 71 disciples behind him are not his only students. Many watching him through their screens have already joined the path.
There was a time when Minh Tuệ said: “If you want interviews, if YouTubers want to spread my words, let people find the Buddhist teachings on the internet and learn for themselves.” I understood then that he had taken on the mission of spreading the Dharma to all. That’s why he spoke in simple, relatable words about profound matters. No matter how vast one’s wisdom, it ultimately leads to a simple truth: to live with kindness.
In everyday life, it is difficult to perfectly apply everything this walking monk teaches. But his messages remain, reaching those willing to listen. A person can only learn by listening and practicing.
People often speak of the era of “Dharma decline,” a time when human compassion fades. When dishonesty and cruelty rise to prominence, they force goodhearted people to retreat into their shells, without power, without the strength of wealth, without anything to protect themselves or those unjustly wronged. Their voices barely whisper from within their shells. Yet, Minh Tuệ’s footsteps have rekindled a forgotten sense of compassion buried deep within people’s hearts. He has shown a way forward—a path of love, of supporting one another in the journey of self-cultivation.
The kindness within people is awakening through the ascetic footsteps of a man who is bringing society together. The forces of cruelty and dishonesty that corrode human life are slowly being cast out, standing exposed and isolated. When compassion and integrity become the only true strengths in a society, people reach out to one another, support one another, and build an unexpected force of unity. These past days have shown us a great embrace woven together by countless hands learning from the monk. Although cruelty and dishonesty still exist, “let them be—that is their concern.” Meanwhile, goodness is growing, forming a vast and safe circle for those walking toward the light.
Related news reports from BDG
Vietnamese Ascetic Thich Minh Tue Faces Challenges on Pilgrimage to India
Thich Minh Tue, Buddhist Ascetic in Vietnam, Ends Travels after Follower’s Death
Thich Minh Tue, Wandering Buddhist Ascetic in Vietnam, Gains a Following
