WHY DO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE LOVE MASTER THICH MINH TUE?
INFORMATION ABOUT THICH MINH TUE “THE TEACHER WHO FOLLOWS BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS”
IDENTITY:
- Real Name: Le Anh Tu
- Year of Birth: 1981
- Hometown: Ky Van Commune, Ky Anh District, Ha Tinh Province
- Residence: Ia Grai District, Gia Lai Province
THE TEACHER PRACTICES 13 ASCETIC PRACTICES:
- Clothing made from torn fabric pieces
- Use only three robes
- Eat by going out for alms, going out for alms house by house, eating in an alms bowl
- Eat only one meal at noon
- Don’t eat full
- Don’t store food
- Don’t keep money
- Live alone
- Live in cemeteries or abandoned houses
- Live under trees
- Live outdoors or in forests
- Don’t live in a fixed place, frequently travels
- Sleep sitting up, don’t lie down to sleep
DURATION OF PRACTICE:
6 years practicing asceticism
6 years walking, away from home and family
6 years eating one meal a day
6 years sleeping sitting up without a blanket
6 years without crying, only smiling
6 years wearing patched clothes without waiting for anyone
6 years only eating vegetarian food
The teacher walks from the South to the North and from the North to the South.
NOTABLE QUOTES FROM THE TEACHER:
” I call myself ‘CON’, which means small and humble. I am not a monk, I am not a teacher, I am just an ordinary person, a Vietnamese citizen following the teachings of the Blessed One. I also wish for everyone to attain Buddhahood, so that I may follow and learn. Addressing me like this doesn’t affect anything.”
“I became a monk to seek liberation.”
“I eat one meal a day and do not accept money from anyone.”
“My clothes are made from fabric I collect from cemeteries, roadsides, and trash bins.”
“My alms bowl is made from a discarded rice cooker.”
“Life is impermanent; living today, dying tomorrow, no one knows. That’s why I must become a monk early. If I die tomorrow, I won’t have another chance to practice.”
“I hope to soon achieve enlightenment to repay my parents.”
“Now I consider everyone my family.”
“In my heart, there is no selfishness or hatred. I consider all people in the world as equals.”
“If you insult me, I still see you as a friend.”
“If people hit me, I still wish them well.”
“Everyone should strive to keep the five precepts: do not kill, do not steal, do not engage in sexual misconduct, do not lie, do not consume intoxicants.”
“I wish everyone happiness.”
“Do not bow to me, but bow to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.”
“I do not guide anyone; they follow their own abilities. I am not their teacher. We are like brothers learning together. I learn from them, they learn from me, and we all learn from each other. Their persistence and determination are their own. If I cannot guide myself, how can I guide others? We are learning together if we have the affinity.”
“Love your enemy as you love your parents.”
“Everyone should go about their own work, joyfully living according to the Buddha’s teachings.”
PERSONAL VIEWS:
The teacher is a truly great ascetic.
He has compassion for all sentient beings.
He is truly humble and modest.
Although he practices asceticism, he feels he has enough clothes to keep warm and enough food to eat, so he feels happy. He possesses a very large amount of positive energy.
He is like a kind Buddha.
