Vietnam monk Thich Minh Tue walking barefoot across Vietnam, on 14 May 2024. - Thich Minh Tue/Facebook
HANOI: Walking 2,700 kilometres barefoot might not be everyone’s idea of a spiritual journey, but for Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Minh Tue, it’s a path to enlightenment - and unexpected online fame.
Since beginning his pilgrimage to India in November, the 44-year-old has captivated social media, propelled by the enthusiasm of influencers documenting his every step.
Tue now has hundreds of thousands of followers on Facebook. Daily video clips posted by one of his travel companions regularly get more than two million views on YouTube.
His audience is captivated by his remarkable commitment to a minimalist lifestyle: Tue carries only a rice cooker, which doubles as his alms bowl.
Along the way, he relies on the kindness of strangers who line the roads to offer him food and water - though he insists on eating just one meal a day.
Most of his clothes are salvaged from garbage bins, reflecting his dedication to simplicity. On his journey, he is accompanied by several like-minded people.
"I walk barefoot to feel what is under my feet and to avoid stepping on insects and other living things," Tue tells local media. "Shoes and sandals also wear out faster than my feet."
He follows a strict interpretation of Buddhism, owning no more than three items of clothing. He lives off donations while striving to minimise his environmental impact by sleeping in places like forests, mountains or even graveyards.
Even his approach to rest is unconventional: Tue sleeps sitting upright to shorten his sleep time.
"When I'm very tired, I lean against a tree or a wall," he says.
Tue's devotion has not gone unnoticed back home in Vietnam.
In fact, his growing popularity has occasionally caused logistical headaches. Crowds of thousands gather wherever he appears, leading to traffic disruptions and public order concerns.
Last June, authorities intervened, prompting the monk to temporarily step out of the spotlight.
Meanwhile, his pilgrimage has so far taken him through Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, where he arrived in December.
His next challenge is crossing Myanmar - a nation grappling with political chaos and violence since a 2021 coup. Whether the authorities will permit him entry is uncertain.
Despite the hurdles, Tue’s companions are deeply inspired by his unwavering commitment. Doan Van Bau, 58, tells dpa that he is deeply impressed by the monk's humility.
"During the trip with Master Thich Minh Tue, I saw how he strictly adheres to the Buddhist commandments, never lets up for a moment, is modest and patient and at the same time has enormous compassion and great wisdom," Bau says.
The Vietnamese monk began his religious journey in 2015 and has since made several pilgrimages on foot throughout Vietnam.
Now, with thousands of devoted followers online and along his route, Tue is expected to reach India in May - a modern-day minimalist navigating the digital age, one barefoot step at a time. - dpa
