A Public Vinaya Affirmation of Thích Minh Tuệ's Monastic Status
Official Statement of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV)
A Public Vinaya Affirmation of Thích Minh Tuệ's Monastic Status
Issued: June 4, 2024 (Vassa / Rain Retreat)
Published: June 8, 2024
For nearly two years, the question of whether Thích Minh Tuệ is a duly ordained Buddhist monk has remained the subject of public debate. Throughout this period, Thích Minh Tuệ himself has rarely addressed the issue, choosing instead to avoid controversy out of compassion and humility.
On June 4, 2024, during the annual Vassa (Rain Retreat), the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV)—one of Vietnam's oldest independent Buddhist sanghas, which continues to operate underground inside Vietnam—issued a White Paper (Yết-ma) together with an Official Statement concerning Thích Minh Tuệ. The documents were publicly released on June 8, 2024 and remain available on one of the UBCV's official websites.
The White Paper represents a public Vinaya-based affirmation by the UBCV. Rather than judging Thích Minh Tuệ according to institutional affiliation or state recognition, the Church evaluates him according to the Vinaya—the Buddhist code of monastic discipline—and concludes that his life and conduct fulfill the traditional characteristics of a Buddhist monk.
Available at https://tangdoanghpgvntn.net/2024/06/hien-tuong-tu-si-thich-minh-tue/
Address to the Buddhist Community
The statement is addressed to:
"The Most Venerable Monks, Senior Monks, Reverends, Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, and all Buddhist lay devotees, both domestic and international."
The UBCV notes that a monk named Thích Minh Tuệ has emerged in Vietnam and gained international attention through his unwavering observance of the Dhutanga (ascetic) practices, among the most demanding disciplines taught by the Buddha.
The Vinaya Recognizes Diverse Paths of Practice
The statement explains that Buddhism has never required all monks to practice identically.
Different disciples excelled in different aspects of the Buddha's teaching:
Mahākassapa was foremost in ascetic practice.
Sāriputta was foremost in wisdom.
Moggallāna excelled in spiritual attainments.
Puṇṇa excelled in preaching the Dharma.
Accordingly, monks choose different legitimate paths according to their spiritual capacities.
The Dhutanga path represents one of these authentic Vinaya traditions.
The Thirteen Dhutanga Practices
The statement explains that the Dhutanga discipline is simultaneously the simplest and the most difficult form of Buddhist practice because it requires complete renunciation and exceptional physical endurance.
Among its principal observances are:
eating only one meal before noon;
wearing robes sewn from discarded cloth;
possessing only three robes;
sleeping beneath trees, in forests, cemeteries, or open spaces;
walking barefoot.
These practices embody the Buddha's ideals of:
few desires,
contentment,
diligence,
complete non-attachment.
The UBCV observes that very few monks today faithfully maintain all thirteen Dhutanga observances, and concludes that Thích Minh Tuệ does so in full accordance with the Buddha's teaching.
Vinaya Rather Than Temple Residence
The statement addresses a common public question:
"If he is truly a monk, why does he not establish or reside in a temple?"
The UBCV answers this question by citing the Milindapañha (Questions of King Milinda).
King Milinda asked why the Buddha instructed monks to wander freely while also encouraging laypeople to build monasteries.
Venerable Nāgasena answered that both teachings are correct:
wandering cultivates detachment;
monasteries preserve the Sangha and support Buddhist education and ordination.
Accordingly, the Buddha neither required monks to remain permanently in monasteries nor required them to live only in forests.
The true Vinaya principle is non-attachment rather than place of residence.
Modern Sangha Organizations
The statement explains that during the Buddha's lifetime there existed only the Sangha.
Modern Buddhist organizations arose much later as practical institutions to provide protection and mutual support in an increasingly complex world.
Therefore, membership in an organization is not what determines whether someone is a Buddhist monk.
Rather, Vinaya discipline determines monastic identity.
The statement explains that during the Buddha's lifetime there existed only the Sangha.
Is Thích Minh Tuệ a Buddhist Monk?
The UBCV answers this question directly.
It states that Thích Minh Tuệ has publicly declared that:
he received ordination,
he received the Dharma name Thích Minh Tuệ,
he faithfully observes all thirteen Dhutanga practices taught by the Buddha.
The Church further notes that he:
owns no personal property;
has no monastery;
wanders continuously;
survives solely on alms;
wears patched robes;
sleeps beneath trees or in cemeteries;
lives entirely according to the ancient ascetic discipline.
The Official Vinaya Conclusion
The statement therefore concludes:
"Thích Minh Tuệ has publicly stated that he was ordained as a monk, given the Dharma name Thích Minh Tuệ, and has strictly followed the Thirteen Dhutanga vows as taught by the Buddha. Therefore, he is undeniably a true Buddhist monk."
This conclusion is explicitly grounded in Vinaya conduct, not institutional registration.
The UBCV therefore asks:
"Given this, why must he belong to any particular Buddhist organization or institution?"
His Influence
The statement observes that after more than six years of walking throughout Vietnam, Thích Minh Tuệ has inspired enormous numbers of people through his humility, discipline, compassion, and simplicity.
His growing influence attracted tens of thousands—and eventually hundreds of thousands—of followers.
According to the UBCV, this unprecedented public response caused concern among government authorities, who sought to separate him from the public and subject him to close surveillance.
The Church argues that such actions conflict with genuine religious freedom because governments may regulate society, but they cannot govern people's faith.
A Call for Religious Freedom
The UBCV welcomes Thích Minh Tuệ and expresses its full support for his continued practice of the Dhutanga path.
The Church thanks him for bringing renewed spiritual vitality to Vietnamese society at a time when many people have become disillusioned with institutional religion.
It calls upon the Vietnamese government to respect religious freedom and allow him to continue practicing without interference.
The statement declares:
"Let him wander freely, teaching and enlightening people, improving society through wisdom and compassion."
A Memorable Analogy
The statement concludes with one of its most widely quoted passages:
"A bird belongs to the sky; a fish belongs to the sea. To cage a bird or confine a fish is to suffocate it."
It asks:
"What will become of Thích Minh Tuệ if he is forcibly separated from the people and his homeland?"
Appeal to the International Community
The UBCV concludes by urging governments throughout the world to uphold the United Nations Charter and respect freedom of religion and belief, affirming that no person should face persecution because of his or her chosen religious practice.
Final Prayer
The statement closes with blessings for a peaceful and pure Rain Retreat and is signed:
Bhikkhu Thích Viên Định
Abbot, Thập Tháp Monastery
On behalf of the Executive Council
Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam
Issued: June 4, 2024 (Rain Retreat, Year of the Dragon)
Historical Significance
Beyond its immediate context, the White Paper and Official Statement constitute the first formal public Vinaya-based affirmation by the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam concerning Thích Minh Tuệ's monastic status. Rather than relying on institutional membership, state registration, or temple affiliation, the UBCV evaluated him according to Vinaya principles—his ordination, observance of the precepts, renunciation, alms-dependent livelihood, and faithful practice of the Thirteen Dhutanga observances. While the statement is not itself an ordination ceremony, it represents the Church's formal ecclesiastical judgment that, under its interpretation of the Vinaya, Thích Minh Tuệ is a genuine Buddhist monk.