No Shoes, No Money, Just Faith
Sư Minh Tuệ, a practitioner of the Austere Ascetic Practice Path – Hạnh Đầu Đà, has captured global attention with his extraordinary pilgrimage.
For Sư Minh Tuệ, every step of his journey is an act of devotion. With nothing but the clothes on his back—stitched together from discarded fabric—and his alms bowl, he has walked from Vietnam through Laos and Thailand, crossing mountains, rivers, and endless challenges. His bare feet have braved the scorching sun, the relentless rain, and nights spent in forests or cemeteries.
He eats only what kind strangers offer before noon, and his journey is fueled not by money, but by an unshakable belief that every step brings him closer to enlightenment.
But now, the road ahead seems more daunting than ever. 400 kilometers to Myanmar, and with each passing day, it feels like the distance only grows longer.
A Journey Measured in Pain
400 kilometers. A simple number, but for a man who walks barefoot, it’s a mountain of pain and exhaustion. His feet are raw, his body aching, and yet he presses on.
At best, he and his companions can manage 15 kilometers a day, but on tough days, it’s a struggle to even cover 10. That means 30 more days—30 days of grueling heat, sleepless nights, and moments of doubt. 30 more dawns, each one a fresh reminder of how far he still has to go. And yet, with each painful step, he walks.
The Fractured Brotherhood
This journey was never meant to be walked alone. From the start, Báu, Giáp, and Hùng walked with him, side by side, sharing the burden of this sacred pilgrimage. But recently, the road took an unexpected turn.
Fourth nights ago, after a heated argument, they decided to return to Vietnam. Their departure didn’t just break the group—it shattered a bond. Though they promised to return if needed, Sư Minh Tuệ knows that some roads, once abandoned, cannot be re-traveled. Now, only a handful remain by his side. Hà, a new supporter, has stepped in to help. But for how long? Will his help be a blessing—or will he, too, slip away as the journey continues?
The New Stretch: Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India
Even if he reaches Myanmar, the journey isn’t over. Beyond Myanmar lies Bangladesh, and beyond that, India—the land where Buddha’s footsteps once echoed.
But there’s more than just the road ahead. There’s the question of crossing borders. With each country comes new rules, new barriers, and new challenges. Will his faith alone be enough to break through?
His body may be tired, his feet may be raw, but his spirit is unyielding. Every step is a prayer. Every step is a test.
He has an unshakable faith firm like a mountain, unwavering through every storm. But will he make it?
The Vietnamese people are watching.
Can Sư Minh Tuệ push through the pain? Will his unshakable faith carry him to the finish line? Or will fate intervene, sending him down a path he never imagined?
Note: Hạnh Đầu Đà in English is “Dhutaṅga Practice” or “
It is commonly associated with monks who live in extreme simplicity. They have to walk barefoot, eat only one meal a day, wear patched robes, and sleep in forests or cemeteries.
