January 25, 2010
Source: Taiwan News
Wire Service: AP
http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1164162&lang=eng_news
One of the world's most famous Zen masters made a plea Monday for religious freedom in his homeland, saying Vietnam's communist leaders have lost touch with their revolutionary ideals and Buddhist traditions.
Thich Nhat Hanh, who helped popularize Buddhism in the West and has sold millions of books worldwide, portrayed Vietnam's leaders as corrupt and out of touch with the desires of their people.
Authorities forcibly evicted Nhat Hanh's followers from the Bat Nha monastery on Sept. 27 and from the Phuoc Hue temple late last month.