A Living Example: Master Minh Tue

The foundation draws deep inspiration from the remarkable journey of Master Minh Tue, a humble Buddhist practitioner from Vietnam who has devoted his life to living in accordance with the thirteen Dhutanga principles. His example reminds us of the enduring values of contentment, humility, and inner peace that Dhutanga encourages.

For nearly six years, Master Minh Tue silently observed ascetic practices and the Buddhist precepts with unwavering discipline. In April 2024, his quiet yet profound way of life began to touch the hearts of many, gaining widespread attention across Vietnamese social media. Moved by his example, more than fifty aspiring ascetics joined him on his mindful walks across Vietnam.

In December 2024, he and his companion practitioners began a sacred pilgrimage on foot to India, traveling from Laos through Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal. Their barefoot pilgrimage and simple way of living reflect the spirit of the Buddha’s earliest disciples, who renounced worldly comfort in pursuit of enlightenment.

Master Minh Tue’s journey is more than a physical pilgrimage – it is a living embodiment of compassion and spiritual aspiration, a universal endeavour to awaken wisdom, uplift all beings, and nurture the seeds of enlightenment in those inspired to follow the Dhutanga path.

What is Dhutanga?

In Pali, Dhutanga means “means of shaking off” – practices that help one cast away defilements and attachments. It refers to thirteen voluntary ascetic disciplines through which every mindful step purifies the heart from greed, anger, delusion, pride, and doubt. These practices are not acts of self-denial, but paths of liberation – ways to free oneself from excess, deepen meditation, and live in harmony with the Dharma.

• 1. The refuse rag wearer’s practice (pamsukūlikanga): Using robes made only from discarded cloth.
• 2. The triple robe wearer’s practice (tecīvarikanga): Possessing and wearing only the three necessary robes.
• 3. The alms food eater’s practice (pindapātikanga): Eating only food collected on the alms round.
• 4. The house-to-house seeker’s practice (sapadānikanga): Going for alms by walking continuously from house to house without skipping any.
• 5. The one sessioner’s practice (ekāsanikanga): Eating the entire meal in one sitting, without rising from the seat.
• 6. The bowl food eater’s practice (pattapindikanga): Eating all food mixed together in the bowl.
• 7. The later food refuser’s practice (khalu pacchā bhattikanga): Refusing any food offered after having once declared the meal is finished.
• 8. The forest dweller’s practice (āraññikanga): Dwelling only in the forest, away from the village.
• 9. The tree root dweller’s practice (rukkhamūlikanga): Dwelling only under a tree.
• 10. The open air dweller’s practice (abbhokāsikanga): Dwelling only in the open air, without a roof.
• 11. The charnel ground dweller’s practice (susānikanga): Dwelling in or near a cemetery or charnel ground.
• 12. The any bed user’s practice (yathā santhatikanga): Accepting and being content with any lodging offered.
• 13. The sitter’s practice (nesajjikanga): Refraining from lying down, including sleeping only in a sitting or standing posture.

The Lord Buddha praised those who followed these disciplines, saying, “It is a great advantage to live in the forest, collect one’s alms, and be satisfied with the three robes.”

Though not required of all monks, these practices were encouraged for those seeking a deeper meditation experience and liberation from samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth). Mahākāśyapa, the foremost in ascetic practice, was the spiritual leader of the Sangha after the Buddha’s Parinirvana. Later, Patriarch Bodhidharma carried the teachings from India to China, and the revered scholar Venerable Buddhaghosa preserved these thirteen practices in The Path of Purification (Visuddhimagga).

We invite you to join us in keeping this noble lineage alive. Explore our programs to discover how the spirit of Dhutanga – simplicity, awareness, and compassion – can be practiced in your own life today.

Our Vision

The Dhutanga Revival Foundation envisions a world where the timeless teachings of the Buddha and the thirteen Dhutanga principles are deeply understood, sincerely practiced, and lovingly preserved for generations to come.

We are dedicated to safeguarding the spiritual and cultural heritage of Buddhism by supporting devoted Dhutanga practitioners and institutions that uphold this noble path. Through educational, cultural, and humanitarian initiatives, we strive to create spaces for meditation, mindful walking, learning, and selfless service – sanctuaries that uplift individuals and strengthen Dhutanga communities around the world.

Mission Statement

The Dhutanga Revival Foundation empowers and sustains the global Buddhist community by preserving its sacred traditions, supporting devoted practitioners, and sharing their timeless wisdom with the world – inspiring peace, mindfulness, and compassion in all beings.

1. Preservation & Support: Protecting the rights and cultural heritage of sincere practitioners, while organizing retreats, pilgrimages, and conferences that nurture unity, wisdom, and inner peace.
2. Research & Dissemination: Funding scholarly research to document and share the teachings of Buddhism and the Dhutanga principles through publications and media.
3. Advocacy & Collaboration: Building a global network with Buddhist organizations and NGOs to promote simplicity, discipline, and mindfulness.
4. Social Welfare & Development: Carrying out humanitarian and social welfare programs grounded in compassion – serving communities in areas such as health and education.