A Buddhist monk from Vietnam, Thich Minh Tue, who gained internet popularity last year, is now making an international splash. At 44, Thich Minh Tue is undertaking a barefoot pilgrimage of 2,700 kilometers (1,650 miles) across Thailand and Myanmar, aiming for Buddhist sites in India, provided he gets authorization.

Thich Minh Tue embarked on his journey from Vietnam in the latter part of November, traversing Laos, and stepping foot in Thailand on the last day of 2021. His next stop is Bangkok.

His journey, done on foot, with a meager collection of possessions including a rice cooker and accompanied by a few supporters, mirrors his famous walk across Vietnam last year, which gained him popularity as social media influencers chronicled his journey.

Getting to know Thich Minh Tue

Thich Minh Tue became well-known in Vietnamese households in May as he was on his barefoot journey across the country. People from all walks of life, including social media users, were attracted by his modest demeanor and ascetic practices.

Despite not being officially recognized as a monk by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Thich Minh Tue’s commitment to Buddha’s teachings has not wavered. He has gained considerable renown and respect amongst his followers.

His growing popularity, however, seemed to unsettle authorities. In June, his camp was raided overnight, leading to his detention along with several followers, which sparked international calls for their release.

Thich Minh Tue’s Buddhist practices

Thich Minh Tue practices a form of Buddhism that requires followers to live a minimalist life. He started his spiritual journey six years ago, and since then, he has undergone several foot pilgrimages from the southeastern city of Nha Trang in Vietnam to the northern border with China. His modest approach to life starkly contrasts the extravagant lifestyles of some senior monks in Vietnam.

Religious freedom in Vietnam

Although religious freedom is constitutionally protected in Vietnam, Thich Minh Tue’s Buddhist sect is not recognized by the state. This lack of recognition prevents such religious groups from organizing in Vietnam, leading some to believe that religious freedom exists only in name.

Last year, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reported that Vietnam continues to scrutinize all religious activities, often hindering unregistered faith communities from practicing their religious freedom. Due to these severe violations, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State classify Vietnam as a Country of Particular Concern.

Thich Minh Tue’s departure from Vietnam

After his camp was raided in June, Thich Minh Tue stayed out of the public eye for nearly a month. He then reappeared in July, and in November, several letters allegedly written by him began circulating on social media.

In one of these letters, he stated that he would no longer be begging for alms to prevent disruption to “security, order, and social and political safety.” However, there were doubts among his supporters about the authenticity of the letter and whether it was written under duress.

Why is Thich Minh Tue journeying to India?

In November, Thich Minh Tue expressed his desire to undertake a pilgrimage to India, the birthplace of Buddhism. However, whether he will be allowed to return to Vietnam after his pilgrimage remains uncertain.

A Thai police officer confirmed that Thich Minh Tue entered Thailand legally and didn’t mention any plans to travel to Myanmar. He stated that he was there for a pilgrimage and didn’t violate any laws.

Contributions to this report were made by Matt Reed, Malcolm Foster, Nontarat Phaicharoen, and Ruj Chuenban.