Ven. Thich Nhat Tu or Thích Nhật Từ (釋日慈) in Vietnamese (Saigon, 1969) is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, an author, a poet, a psychological consultant, and an active social activist in Vietnam. In addition to Buddhist and charitable activities, Thích Nhật Từ is known in the media and on social networks for controversial statements and allegations related to religious groups, and Thích Minh Tuệ's pilgrimage group. Thích Nhật Từ is also said to hold several "honorary doctorates" from various universities worldwide, some of which are considered degree mills.
Biography Ven. Thich Nhat Tu was born in 1969. After completing secondary high school, he became a novice at 13 years old, under the spiritual guidance of the late Most Ven. Thich Thien Hue at Giac Ngo Temple and received full ordination in 1988. He has been the Abbot of Giac Ngo Temple since 1992, and is the founder of Buddhism Today Foundation in 2000. He is also the Abbot of Huong Son temple (Ha Tinh), Quan Am Dong Hai temple (Soc Trang), and Giac Ngo temple (Ba Ria - Vung Tau).
In 1992 he went to India for higher education and got his MA degree in philosophy in 1997 from Delhi University and D.Phil. degree from Allahabad University in 2001, respectively.
Ven. Thich Nhat Tu has authored more than seventy books in Vietnamese and English on Buddhist philosophy and applied Buddhism. He is editor-in-chief and publisher of Buddhism Today Books Series (more than 200 volumes on different subjects have been published in Vietnamese to meet the needs of researchers and practitioners). He is also author and editor of Buddhism Today Dharma Talks Series (more than 2000 VCDs and audio CDs on Buddhamdharma as taught by Ven. Dr. Thich Nhat Tu have been produced by the Buddhism Today Association for the general public). He is editor and publisher of Buddhism Today Dharma Music Series (more than 100 CD albums have been published).
He is also editor and publisher of the Vietnamese Tripitaka in MP3 format (The recording of the Vietnamese Sutta Pitaka translated from the Pali by Thich Minh Chau and that of the Mahayana tradition translated from the Chinese by various Mahayana scholars, the Āgamas, and Vinaya Pitaka. The Abhidharma is being carried out. The first mp3 edition of Sutta Pitaka came into existence in May 2006 for celebrations of Buddha Jayanti and has been placed on one of its websites, for downloading to both Macintosh and Windows computers. It is available for free distribution and non-commercial purposes.
Since 2002, he has extensively given public Dharma talks to Vietnamese communities, domestically as well as internationally, such as America, Australia and Europe. He is organizer and moderator of A Fortnightly Retreat for about 1500 practitioners at Pho Quang Temple, HCMC.
He is also actively engaged in the inter-religious dialogue and promotion of peace and harmony. He is committed to propagate Buddhist teachings through education, cultural activities and charitable programs in order to benefit the society at large.
Ven. Dr. Thich Nhat Tu currently serves as standing vice rector of the Vietnam Buddhist University in Ho Chi Minh city, standing vice chair of the National Department of International Buddhist Affairs (National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha), vice rector of Vietnam Buddhist Research Institute, and general editor of Vietnamese Buddhist Tripitaka and editor-in-chief of Buddhism Today magazine.
Education and conference In spite of being born in the period when the country was still in difficulties with after war consequences, all Buddhist schools were forced to close, he was fortunate enough to be trained under respected Buddhist leaders in Vietnam in the 20th century, namely Thich Minh Chau, Thich Thien Sieu, Thich Duc Nghiep, etc... Thanks to their teachings and training, when still a Samanera, he was already rich in knowledge of Theravada and Mahayana sutras. He got a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1994, University of Pedagogy; Master of Philosophy in 1997, Delhi University; Doctor of Philosophy in 2001, Allahabad University.Tiểu sử Thích Nhật Từ , theo Tủ sách Phật họcVài nét về Thích Nhật T , theo Đạo Phật Ngày Nay
Thich Nhat Tu has attended and contributed papers at international Buddhist conferences such as the International Conclave on Buddhism and Spiritual Tourism (New Delhi), Fo Guang Shan International Monastic Seminar (Kaohsiung), the Fourth World Buddhist Summit (Bangkok), Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education Conference (Taipei), the First World Buddhist Forum (Hangzhou), the 23rd General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (Kaohsiung), the First International Buddhist Conference (Kandy), International Buddhist Conference during United Nations day of Vesak (Thailand, 2007–2013), the Asian Zen Conference (international seminar on Meditation and Zen, Hong Kong), International Conference on Dharma – Dhamma (Sanchi/ Bhopal, India), National Conference on Buddhist Education (Hanoi), the International Conference on Buddhism in the New Era (HCM), International Conference on Multi-ethnic and Multi-language Asia, and others (HCM), etc.
He was international conference coordinator of United Nations Day of Vesak conference 2008 and 2014. He was convenor of several national conference on philosophy and Buddhism co-organised by Vietnam Buddhist University, Vietnam Buddhist Research Institute and HCM University of Humanities and Social Sciences.
He has been appointed as the International Organising Committee member of the UN Day of Vesak Celebration 2006–2012 and vice chair, international secretariat of the UN Day of Vesak Celebration 2007, Bangkok, general secretary of UNDV in 2008 and again deputy general secretary of UNDV 2014 and 2019.
Honorary doctorates In appreciation of his excellent contribution to Buddhist education, his works on Buddhist academic research and leadership in international Buddhist community, several universities have conferred upon him Honorary Doctorates as follows: 2010: Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies, conferred by the Mahamakut Buddhist University, Bangkok, Thailand on October 30, 2010; 2016: Honorary Degree of Doctor in Philosophy, conferred by the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Bangkok, Thailand, on May 15, 2016. 2016: Honorary Degree of Doctor Letters, conferred by Apollos University, USA, on Jun 20, 2016. 2019: Honorary Doctor of Letters conferred by Chancellor of Swami Vivekanand Subhrati University, Meerut, India, on April 27, 2019. 2019: Doctor of Philosophy in Humanity Honoris Causa conferred by Rector of Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on March 31, 2019. 2021: Honorary Doctoral of Philosophy in Morality Education conferred by President of International University of Morality, USA on Oct 14, 2021. 2022: Honorary Doctor Degree of Literature (Sahithya Chakrawarthi) conferred by Chancellor of Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, on April 6, 2022; Ref. BPU/ASS-04/Con.12/2021.
International Awards and Recognitions 2013: African Award for Leadership Excellence conferred by chairman of the board of Buddhist Federation of African, on October 13, 2013. 2015: Saddhammajotikadhaja Title conferred by Government of Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar, on March 4, 2015. 2015: The World Buddhist Outstanding Leader Award conferred by Acting Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, President of the Supreme Sangha Council, Bangkok, Thailand, on March 5, 2015. 2017: Global Buddhist Reformer Award conferred by President of World Alliance of Buddhist Leaders, Malaysia, July 22, 2017. 2017: Global Buddhist Ambassador Award conferred by H.E. Loknayak Ashva Ghosh Mahanayaka, Chairman of Manak International Institute of Buddhist Studies, Bangkok, February 12, 2017. 2018: Global Mentor Award conferred by Chancellor of Swami Vivekanand Subhrati University, Meerut, India, July 30, 2018. 2019: International Research and Education Award conferred by president of Asian Association for the Study of Culture and Religion of, March 31, 2019. 2019: International education Award conferred by president of Nepal Traditional Buddhist Association, Lumbini, February 28, 2019. 2019: Saddharma Keerthi Sri Darshana Visharada Award conferred by Sangharaja of Parama Dhamma Chetiya Pirivena Ratmalana, Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 16, 2019 2019: Suvanna Pathom Chedi Award given by National Office of Buddhism, Thailand conferred by Somdej Phra Ariyavongsagatanana, Sangharaja, Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, August 4, 2019 2019: Outstanding Educator Award conferred by Founder of International Buddhist College, Thailand, on September 7, 2019. 2019: Atisha Dipankar Peace Gold Award conferred by HH. Sanghanayaka Suddhananda, Sangharaja of Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha, October 21, 2019 2019: The Award for Patronaging and Supporting Buddhism conferred by Somdej Phra Ariyavongsagatanana, Sangharaja, Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, July 16, 2019. 2019: Global Mahasaddhamjotika Award conferred by President of Younker Historical Research Foundation, March 7, 2019. 2021: Vaishakh Samman Prashastri Patra Award (Vesak Citation of Honour) conferred by Ministry of Culture Government of India, Bodhgaya, May 26, 2021. 2021: The Symbol of Peace Award conferred by Pallavi T, President of the Neeraja Universal Peace Foundation, India, September 21, 2021. 2021: Global Messenger of Peace Award conferred by 2021: The Symbol of Peace Award conferred by Kepeel Barsaiyan, President of Buddh Jyoti Foundation, India, September 21, 2021. 2021: Social Change and World Peace Award by Bhikkhu Pragyadeep, General Secretary of All India Bhikkhu Sangha, Bihar, India, September 30, 2021. 2021: Outstanding Contribution to Education Award by Acharya Norbu Sherpa, President of Nepal Buddhist Federation, September 20, 2021. 2021: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Best Faculty Award 2021 conferred by Dr.Ratnakar D. Bala, President of Center for Professional Advancement Continuous Education - CPACE, India, September 5, 2021. 2021: Exemplary COVID-19 Social Work Award conferred by Bhikkhu Vinaybodhi, President, Mumbai Pradesh Bhikkhu Sangha, India, September 30, 2021. 2021: Best Leadership Award conferred by Chandrabhan Patil, president of The Buddhist Society of India, India, September 30, 2021. 2021: The Award for Mindful Educator conferred by Sulekhatai Kumbhare, president of Ogawa Society, September 30, 2021. 2021: World Teacher's Day Award conferred by Prof. Ratnakar, director of IMRF Institute of Higher Education & Research, October 5, 2021.
Vietnamese Government Awards and Recognitions 2008: Vietnamese Prime Minister's Award conferred by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. 2014: Vietnam Union of UNESCO Associations Award conferred by President of Vietnam Union of UNESCO Associations. 2015: Award of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of HCM City conferred by President of Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of HCM Cityon January 19, 2015 2016: HCM City People's Committee Award conferred by President Nguyễn Thành Phong on November 3, 2016 . 2016: Award of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Tien Giang Province conferred by President of Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Tien Giang Provinceon January 12, 2016 . 2017: Vietnamese Prime Minister's Award for Serving Buddhism and Nation conferred by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on November 20, 2017 . 2017: Award of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front conferred by President on September 12, 2017 . 2017: Award of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of HCM City conferred by President on February 20, 2017 . 2017: Award of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Tien Giang Province conferred by President on March 7, 2017 . 2018: Award of the People's Committee of District 10 conferred by president on November 20, 2018 . 2018: Award of the People's Committee of District 10 conferred by president on January 5, 2018 .