This nun whose real name is Nguyen Thi Mui was born in 1954 in northern Ha Nam province. She presided over Phi Trach Pagoda, Phuong Tu commune, Ung Hoa district of northern Ha Tay province for ten years, starting in 1983. During that period, the nun didn’t get on well with other Buddhists residing at the pagoda nor local inhabitants.

As the relationship between Thich Dam Binh and local people was becoming worse, she was later transferred to Vu Noi Pagoda in Lien Bat commune, Ung Hoa district. But her behaviour and attitudes remained unchanged. She continued to defy the rule of law and the tenets of Buddhism.

Once again, the local Elderly Association and Buddhist followers in Vu Noi demanded her transfer to another pagoda.

The Lien Bat commune People’s Committee had to intervene by arranging conciliatory meetings between Thich Dam Binh and local people in the presence of a representative from the Ung Hoa District Buddhist Association.

Despite these efforts, Thich Dam Binh refused to mend her ways. Pham Van Chu, Head of the Vu Noi Elderly Association said, “We condemned Binh for breaking the law as she had joined hands with Thich Quang Do and Thich Khong Tanh in an attempt to cause social disorder and discredit the Party and Government.”

Nguyen Van Thu, deputy head of the Ung Hoa District Department for Religious Affairs said, “Since the disputes erupted between Thich Dam Binh and other Buddhist followers, local authorities have worked with concerned agencies to help her get back on the straight and narrow. Suddenly in June, 2004, she left the pagoda without saying a word.”

Most recently, she joined petitioners in Hanoi claiming that she had been badly treated by local authorities. On August 23, 2007, Thich Dam Binh and Thich Khong Tanh were seen among petitioners gathering in front of a government office at 110 Cau Giay road where they were attempting to cause social disorder.

Most Venerable Thich Quang Loi, deputy head of the Executive Board of the Ha Tay provincial Buddhist Association strongly criticised Thich Dam Binh, saying that she has not lived up to the expectations of Buddhist followers.

“Her wrong doings are condemned by both religious and non-religious people,” the Most Venerable added.

Nguyen Tien Bach, a local inhabitant in Phuong Tu commune said, “Thich Dam Binh many times challenged elderly people and Buddhist followers in our commune by acting against Buddha’s teachings. Thich Dam Binh is a close accomplice of Thich Quang Do and Thich Khong Tanh and other political opponents in the so-called “Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam” who are scheming to cause social disorder and undermine the socialist State of Vietnam”.