Zen master’s followers allege Vietnam persecution
Zen master’s followers allege Vietnam persecution
By Aude Genet (AFP) – 3 days ago
HANOI — Four years ago, Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh drew crowds of thousands on his return to Vietnam after decades in exile — but now his followers complain of systematic repression by the communist regime.
Hanh, who was a confidant of slain US civil rights leader Martin Luther King and has a large following in the West, landed a meeting with then prime minister Phan Van Khai in 2005 even as authorities kept him under watch.
Today, his followers say they are the victims of sustained harassment whipped up by a communist government fearful of the social and religious influence enjoyed by the France-based monk and peace activist.
