The authorities have prohibited a Vietnamese Buddhist monk from continuing a barefoot pilgrimage via Sri Lanka, so he leaves rather for his final destination, India, said a source at Radio Free Asia.
Thich Minh kills, who went on a multi -nation trip from Vietnam four months ago, was arrested last week on his traces by the Sri Lankan police who cited a letter from Buddhist Sangha sanctioned by the State of Vietnam – or a Buddhist religious association – describing it as a threat to public order.
His group, which also includes 10 volunteers, has since received temporary accommodation in a temple. They were authorized only to meet and receive food from visitors and sympathizers outside the temple, northeast of the capital Colombo, but were prohibited from continuing their hike, the source, which asked for anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue, told RFA.
When it has become clear that the group would not be allowed to continue its march in Sri Lanka, the group decided to leave immediately for India instead, he said.
“They do not give us a green light to take the walk … on the road,” said Phuoc Nghiem, a close partner of Thich Minh kills, during a Livestream Youtube on Wednesday.
The source said Thich Minh kills should arrive in the capital of India in New Delhi by theft from Sri Lanka around 5:00 am on Friday. From there, he should fly away for Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddha has reached illumination and will continue his walk there.
Thich Minh kills became an unlikely internet sensation last year in Vietnam where his simple lifestyle touched a sensitive string. He undertook barefoot walks that have become viral and the sympathizers came out en masse. But the authorities treat him with suspicion because he is not officially recognized as a monk.
Last December, he started from his homeland on what was to be a trip of 2,700 kilometers (1,600 miles) on foot in several Asian nations.
Since his departure from Vietnam, he and his companions have traveled through Laos and Thailand, then made a detour to Malaysia after having encountered problems trying to enter myanmar. He intended to cross this country torn apart by the war to go to India. After Malaysia, he went to Sri Lanka and intended to go north of the South Asian nation and take a ferry in India.
A copy of the letter from a Vietnamese Sangha representative quoted by Sri Lankan police was seen by RFA. He accuses Thich Minh kills of having usurped the identity of a Buddhist monk, trying to establish a dissident sect and constituted a threat to public order and national reputation.
Published by Tenzin Pema and Mat Pennington.