Gift of Dhamma (Dhammadāna) – The Highest Form of Giving
In the Dhammapada, verse 354, the Buddha says a short but weighty sentence: "Sabbadānaṃ dhammadānaṃ jināti" "The gift of Dhamma…
Read more →
Dhamma
Following the Ascetic
The Footsteps of
Minh Tuệ
Walking the alms pilgrimage with no money, no home, no possessions –
practicing exactly as the Buddha taught
11
Years of Practice
Million+
Steps Taken
2021
Sleeps Sitting
0
Possessions
↓
A Quick Introduction to Thích Minh Tuệ
Thích Minh Tuệ, known to followers as Thầy Minh Tuệ (“Thầy” is a Vietnamese respectful form of address, meaning “teacher”), was born Lê Anh Tú on 19 May 1981 in Kỳ Anh, Hà Tĩnh. Before ordaining, he worked as a land surveyor. In 2015 he ordained at Chơn Như Monastery (Tây Ninh); after a short time there he found it did not suit him and left to practice on his own in a small hermitage.
From 2018 he practiced the 13 dhutanga (ascetic) practices of Theravada Buddhism – among them eating one meal a day from alms, holding no money, and not staying in one fixed place – and began walking the length of Vietnam. In 2021 he began a vow not to lie down, sleeping only in a sitting position.
His 2024 walk drew wide attention: tens of thousands of people came to see him and followed him. From December 2024 he travelled abroad with a group of mendicants, continuing to walk and receive alms through several countries.
His way of practice – receiving no money, keeping no possessions, having no fixed dwelling – is admired by many for its spirit of letting go of material things. This website records that journey, together with articles on the Dhamma and the Buddhist scriptures.
Walking Since 2018
Walked the length of Vietnam 4 times, now practicing in Nepal
Practicing the Buddha's Way
Practicing strictly as the Buddha taught – no monastery, no money, no possessions
Inspiring Millions
Millions of people across Vietnam and the world follow and admire his journey
Latest Articles
View all › 
Dhamma
Renunciation (Nekkhamma) – Letting Go Is Freedom, Not Loss
The word "renunciation" makes many people think first of loss. Leaving home, leaving work, leaving loved ones, leaving property. A…
Read more →
Dhamma
Saṃsāra – The Cycle of Birth and Death in Buddhism
The Sanskrit and Pāli word saṃsāra is often translated as "the cycle of birth and death" or "the round of…
Read more →
Dhamma
Faith (Saddhā) – How Buddhist Trust Differs from Blind Belief
The English word "faith" carries centuries of theistic weight. It often means believing something because a scripture or an authority…
Read more →
Dhamma
The First Discourse (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) – Setting the Wheel of Dhamma
Every religious tradition has a founding moment. In Buddhism, that moment is a quiet afternoon in a deer park near…
Read more →
Dhamma
The Five Faculties and Five Powers – Balanced Qualities of a Practitioner
Among the 37 Aids to Awakening (bodhipakkhiya-dhamma), two groups share the same five qualities but appear under different names: the…
Read more →“I wish for everyone, whether already born or yet to be born, to be happy and joyful.”
— Thầy Minh Tuệ
Frequently Asked Questions About Thích Minh Tuệ
Who is Thích Minh Tuệ?
Thích Minh Tuệ, known to followers as Thầy Minh Tuệ, was born Lê Anh Tú in 1981 in Hà Tĩnh. He worked as a land surveyor before ordaining in 2015, and since 2018 has walked on alms rounds, practicing the 13 dhutanga practices of Theravada Buddhism.
Which path does Thầy Minh Tuệ follow?
He mainly practices the dhutanga – voluntary ascetic practices – of Theravada Buddhism. While walking, he eats only one meal in the morning, received as alms, wears robes patched together from cloth he has found, accepts no money, keeps no possessions and has no fixed dwelling. Alongside this, he also practices all of the Buddha's teachings found in the Nikaya scriptures, as conditions allow.
What are the dhutanga practices?
The dhutanga are 13 voluntary ascetic practices that the Buddha permitted practitioners to take up in addition, in order to train the mind in letting go of material desire. Thầy Minh Tuệ has practiced these 13 since 2018.
How does Thầy Minh Tuệ live without money or a monastery?
Accepting no money, keeping no possessions and having no fixed dwelling are the most visible features of his dhutanga practice. He receives alms for food and travels on foot. The purpose of the dhutanga in Theravada Buddhism is to train the mind in letting go of material things.
Is Thầy Minh Tuệ recognised as a Buddhist monk?
Opinions differ on this. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha does not regard him as a Buddhist monk because he does not practice at an establishment under the Sangha. He himself does not claim to be a monk.
Where has Thầy Minh Tuệ walked?
From 2018 to 2023 he walked on alms rounds along Vietnam several times. From December 2024 he continued walking and receiving alms with a group of mendicants through Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India and Nepal.
Since when has Thầy Minh Tuệ slept sitting up?
According to our About page, in 2021 he vowed to sleep sitting up, never lying down.
Where can I follow Thầy Minh Tuệ's journey?
thayminhtue.com publishes articles on the Dhamma and his journey. You can also follow our YouTube and Facebook channels, linked at the bottom of the page.
Follow the Journey
The latest updates from our channels
Support the Website
Your kind support with tịnh tài (donations) is a valuable resource that helps us maintain and develop the website.
🙏 Support Now