Abbot renounces monkhood after inappropriate photos appear online

The management committee of the province Vietnam Buddhist Sangha said Friday it has approved a request from Thich Nhuan Nghi, birth name Le Trung Hai, to renounce monkhood.

The committee said it met with Hai Friday, and he expressed remorse for damaging the image of the Sangha and monks in general.

Photos had appeared on social media showing Hai in an "inappropriate" relationship with a woman while serving as the abbot of Tu Duc Pagoda in Vinh Cuu District, the committee said.

There are around 4.6 million Buddhists in Vietnam.