Mr. Thich Minh Tue: "I vow to spend my whole life walking and bathing in rivers and streams, without any concept of difficulty."

Mr. Thich Minh Tue's real name is Le Anh Tu (43 years old), originally from Ky Tan commune, Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh province. He used to practice in a pagoda, but now he practices on his own and makes a walking journey that has become a hit on social networks.

Mr. Thich Minh Tue rests in Ha Tinh province.

On May 18, Mr. Thich Minh Tue shared with Dan Viet newspaper about the name and purpose of the walk: "Minh means bright, Tue means wisdom, the meaning of the name is the path of enlightenment. Later, when I feel that I no longer have a connection with the temple, I will go out and still keep this dharma name."

"Currently, it is not correct to say that I practice at home, because I do not practice at home, nor do I practice at the temple. I follow the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, learning from his 3 robes and 1 bowl," said Mr. Thich Minh Tue.

Many people standing around Mr. Thich Minh Tue used their phones to record video at an empty lot in Ha Tinh.

Mr. Minh Tue said: On the path of practice, Buddha often lived at the foot of trees, in forests, caves, cemeteries... learning the 13 ascetic practices (Ascetic practices are one of the ascetic practices to train the body and mind, eliminating defilements). He mastered all the Dharma treasures, everything that Buddha Shakyamuni taught him.

"I walk not to convey anything, Shakyamuni's Buddhism has already been preached, the doctrines and the Dharma, the books... are already there, everyone needs to learn there so I don't need to spread anything anymore. Right now I need to practice the Buddha's teachings to perfect myself, to bring my benefits to everyone. If I have them, everyone will be happy.

I am learning from Buddha, I am not even a grain of sand yet so I am trying. Currently, I do not belong to any church or pagoda that does not preach or teach," said Mr. Minh Tue.

He vowed to walk for the rest of his life. If it rained, he would stop, and if the sun rose, he would continue walking. During his journey, Minh Tue would only eat one vegetarian meal in the early morning, given by alms from people with affinity and compassion. From noon onwards, he would not accept food or drink from anyone.

Mr. Minh Tue bathes in rivers and streams or asks for help from gas stations on his way. His clothes are made of pieces of cloth he picks up from cemeteries and on the road. "I don't take the pieces of cloth that people intentionally throw away for me. I just pick up pieces of cloth from the street and sew them into clothes," said Mr. Minh Tue.

Mr. Minh Tue added: "For me, everything is difficult and not difficult. If you think it is difficult, then it is difficult. If you overcome it, it is no longer difficult. It is not that this is more difficult than that. Some people think it is difficult, others say it is not, it depends on what you think. If you feel peaceful and happy, then it is no longer difficult."

Sharing about his family, Mr. Thich Minh Tue said: "Since October 2017, I have been home to get a certificate related to some personal matters. Since then, I have not been home anymore. I will try to practice and do good deeds to repay my parents for giving birth and raising me. I currently have no assets or material possessions, I only wish and give them faith that I will not cause them suffering."

Mr. Minh Tue added: " I know people are walking with me, but many people are jostling and pushing each other, everyone wants to film and take pictures, that is causing traffic jams for themselves. If everyone is walking and exercising, they should walk in a straight line, in order, quietly and orderly, and not filming will not affect anyone."

"The people who come with me are not my disciples, they are just like everyone else practicing on their own. I told them that if they want to go, then go, if they want to come back, then come back, study on their own, if they ask me about anything, then I will share with them. If they go to practice, to follow the Buddha's teachings, then go, but if they go for money, to do something else, then they are responsible, I have nothing to do with them, they have nothing to do with me," Mr. Thich Minh Tue confided.