The handwritten letter stated: "I have neurological health issues and leg pain; I ask the pagoda for care. I sincerely thank you."
Security camera footage showed a taxi stopping at the gate at 11h on 10/5. A woman exited the back seat, helped the man into the pagoda grounds, and then left.
The pagoda cleaned and cared for the man's wounds, and also reported the incident to local authorities. The abbot noted, "He has difficulty walking, and sometimes he is lucid, other times he appears disoriented."
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The daughter brought her father and left him at the gate of Dong pagoda, Lac Phuong commune, Hai Phong, at noon on 10/5. *Image from security camera video* |
Lac Phuong commune police investigated and identified the man left at the pagoda gate as born in 1955, with a household registration in the former Ba Dinh district, Hanoi. The woman accompanying him was his daughter, born in 1997. The family is currently renting accommodation in Gia Lam commune, Hanoi.
The man stated his weakness and advanced age prevented him from working. His daughter recently gave birth, suffers from severe kidney failure, and his son-in-law is a low-income worker, leading to financial difficulties for the family. The Lac Phuong commune police report noted, "He discussed with his daughter and son-in-law bringing him to the pagoda to seek care."
When questioned by police, the daughter explained she feared the abbot would not accept her father, so she left him at the gate and returned home.
Venerable Thich Quang Van stated that Dong pagoda currently cares for three elderly individuals who live alone but are independent in their daily activities. However, the man's difficulty walking and need for specialized assistance meant the pagoda could not accept him.
At noon on 12/5, the daughter and her husband met with Lac Phuong commune authorities and took her father home. Venerable Quang Van said, "When they arrived, the daughter brought medical examination results confirming she has kidney failure, and they had also sold their house and are currently renting."
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The handwritten letter and personal belongings of the man left at the pagoda. *Image provided by police* |
Tran Canh Tung, Head of the Social Work Department at the Social Protection Department, stated that abandoning parents shows signs of violating the law.
Mr. Tung cited Decree No. 20/2021/ND-CP, which stipulates that children and grandchildren have an obligation to care for the elderly. According to the Law on the Elderly, the State only admits individuals to social protection facilities if they belong to poor households, have no one to care for them, and cannot live within the community. Emergency cases are decided by the provincial People's Committee Chairman.
Mr. Tung advised that the man's family should submit an application to the commune People's Committee Chairman for consideration of support. The Social Protection Department has guided the Hai Phong Department of Health to coordinate with local authorities and the family to agree on a care plan.
Pham Nga
