Renowned Vietnamese Monk, Most Venerable Thich Tue Sy, Passes Away at 81

Dong Nai, November 24, 2023 — Most Venerable Thich Tue Sy, a prominent figure in Vietnam's Buddhist community and a vocal advocate for religious freedom, passed away at 4:00 p.m. on November 24, 2023, at Phat An Pagoda in Dong Nai province. He was 81 years old.

Most Venerable Tue Sy was a revered monk and an accomplished writer, translator, and Buddhist researcher. His contributions to Vietnamese Buddhism and literature have been widely recognized. In September 2022, he ascended to the position of head of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBGBVNTN), following the demise of Supreme Patriarch Thich Quang Do.

His life was marked by a steadfast commitment to advocating for religious freedom in Vietnam. In 1984, Most Venerable Thich Tue Sy was among several southern monks detained by the Vietnamese government. His activism intensified in 1988 when he, along with 20 other monks, nuns, and Buddhists, faced conviction for allegedly attempting to subvert the state and form a revolutionary organization. Initially sentenced to death, his penalty was later reduced due to mounting international pressure, leading to his release in 1998.

Most Venerable Thich Tue Sy was known for his strong stance on separating Buddhism from state politics. He firmly opposed the integration of the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha into the Vietnamese Fatherland Front, a political organization, asserting that Buddhism should remain apolitical and independent of any political affiliations.

His passing is a significant loss to the Buddhist community and to all those who stand for religious freedom and human rights. Most Venerable Thich Tue Sy's legacy as a spiritual leader and a champion of freedom will continue to inspire future generations.