An independent Buddhist monk whose barefoot pilgrimage across Vietnam became an internet sensation hasn’t contacted relatives in almost three weeks, and family members have asked police for help in locating him.

The younger brother of Thich Minh Tue sent a letter on Monday to police in Gia Lai province in Vietnam’s Central Highlands saying that the family is “worried and confused” because they have received no information about Tue and his mental and physical health for nearly 20 days.

Tue, whose real name is Le Anh Tu, drew a wide following on social media in May when influencers documented his journey across Vietnam on TikTok and other social media platforms. Supporters were drawn to his simple lifestyle and humble demeanor.

In early June, police detained Tue and several of his followers during a raid in a forest in Thua Thien Hue province in central Vietnam.

More than a week later, he was staying in Gia Lai province’s Ia Grai district, where many of his relatives live. Police officers accompanied him as he begged for food near his parents’ home.

According to Tue’s young brother, Tue told family members on June 12 that someone from an unknown agency or organization had asked him to temporarily move to another place for five to seven days.

Tue told relatives that authorities believed that his growing number of followers was becoming a threat to public security and order, the younger brother, Le Anh Thin, said in Monday’s letter. 

Additionally, according to Thin, Tue asked Thin and his wife to build some fencing to protect trees near Tue’s shelter – an indication that he really intended to return.

‘Precarious’ fate

But since June 12, there has been no word from Tue, Thin wrote.

“Our family in particular, and many Buddhists at home and abroad who are fond of Thich Minh Tue, are very worried and confused,” he wrote.

Several Vietnamese language YouTube channels posted interviews with Thin on Monday in which he confirmed the letter and its content. 

Tue, 43, looks and behaves like a monk, but is not recognized as one by the state-sanctioned Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, or VBS. In fact, he has not claimed to be a monk, but rather an individual trying to follow Buddha’s teachings.

The VBS said in an announcement in May that Tue “is not a Buddhist monk,” which would technically mean he can’t openly practice Buddhism. Although freedom of religion is enshrined in Vietnam’s constitution, religious groups or individuals require official recognition to practice.

A Buddhism observer from Vietnam, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, told Radio Free Asia that he believed that the fate of Tue and his fellow monks was “precarious.”

“Many international human rights and policy organizations are watching what Vietnam is going to do with these independent religious practitioners,” he said. 

RFA contacted the Gia Lai provincial police’s criminal division, but when a police officer was asked about Tue’s whereabouts, the officer only said “I can’t hear you clearly,” and then hung up. Subsequent calls went unanswered.

Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.

This content originally appeared on Radio Free Asia and was authored by By RFA Vietnamese.

This post was originally published on Radio Free.