The Burning Monk – Thich Quảng Đức
Thich Quảng Đức was a Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monk who burned himself to death at a busy Saigon road intersection on 11 June 1963. Thích Quảng Đức was protesting against the persecution of Buddhists by South Vietnam’s Ngô Đình Diệm administration. Photos of his self-immolation were circulated widely across the world and brought attention to the policies of the Diệm regime. Malcolm Browne won a Pulitzer Prize for his iconic photo of the monk’s death, as did David Halberstam for his written account. After his death, his body was re-cremated, but his heart remained intact. This was interpreted as a symbol of compassion and led Buddhists to revere him as a bodhisattva, heightening the impact of his death on the public psyche.
Thích Quảng Đức’s act increased international pressure on Diệm and led him to announce reforms with the intention of mollifying the Buddhists. However, the promised reforms were implemented either slowly or not at all, leading to a deterioration in the dispute. With protests continuing, the Special Forces loyal to Diệm’s brother, Ngô Đình Nhu, launched nationwide raids on Buddhist pagodas, seizing the holy heart and causing deaths and widespread damage. Several Buddhist monks followed Thích Quảng Đức’s example and burned themselves to death. Eventually, an Army coup toppled and killed Diệm in November. The self-immolation is widely seen as the turning point of the Vietnamese Buddhist crisis which led to the change in regime.
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Raj Gill says:
January 31st, 2010 at 6:34 pm
This is incredibly moving, I have such respect for someone who is willing to die for what they believe in.
Rest in peace Thích Quảng Đức. You where defiantly someone sent from a higher power.
MJ says:
March 27th, 2010 at 1:12 am
This is a true horror. No one should be encouraged to commit suicide for religion and no one should
sit idly by and let someone die. A religion that preaches suicide should not be allowed in any country. God help us if this is what the world considers “holy.” It is sad when anyone dies, regardless of how dramatic or shocking. Where is the peace of Buddhists and Jesus Christ?
Katherine says:
April 1st, 2010 at 9:56 pm
MJ, I’m sorry you feel that way. That monk decided to die precisely because someone had decided his religion should not be allowed in that country. It is not for you to judge. Just feel mightily blessed that you would never have to consider doing something so dramatic and heart-wrenching to defend the rights of others.
On another note, I had always understood that Thich Quang Duc set himself alight. It looked in the video like another monk actually lit the trail of gasoline. I’m not trying to take away from what he did, I’m just curious if anyone else saw the same thing.
Harold says:
April 23rd, 2010 at 12:05 am
This video is not the real act…its a re-enactment or a tribute I believe….study the “real” photo…look close, you will see the differences…gas can location, hub caps on the car…still a moving video nonetheless…
THOMAS NGUYEN says:
June 8th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
No body questioning the guy whom wore the monk’s clothing that poured the gasoline on the Thich Quang Duc and light to fire him to make the good cause of propaganda for Vietnam Communist Party.
The Buddhist fell into this trap and thought they loved their religious .
Have all the monks in high range in Buddhist questioned and investigated about this or the easy way to blame Ngo Dinh Diem.
THOMAS NGUYEN says:
June 8th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Even this video clip is not Thich Quang Duc.(FOR SURE).
That one among 5 monks that Viet cong was burned them alive .
Viet cong (AN QUANG,XA LOI TEMPLE) used same car
http://vietnamsaigon.multiply.com/journal/item/489/489
Lucid-D says:
July 9th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
It makes me sad that people have no other choice but sacrificing themselves in order to make others (in this context: the world’s population) aware of their issues and problems. And btw MJ he did that to #1 help people realize that fucked up shit was going on and #2 to show that Buddhism, a not talked about religion, is real and that there is something to that shit because lets face it, a Christian couldn’t light his ass on fire and sit still. Buddhism isn’t about suicide, nor encouraging/preaching suicide. He did this at his own will. also you have no right to say what is and what is not allowed in a country, or what people should and shouldn’t do with they’re lives. You obviously know nothing of what was going on in that time period.
motherbinary says:
July 25th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
I was a teenager when this happened and 40 yrs later I joined FB and used the pic as my profile pic. I am still in reverence of his convictions even though it is hard to watch. My prayer today is that his spirit is in a better place than this world is now . He did make a difference. Jesus gave his life too- so didi many soldiers and victims of represive governments. In my opinion ,he has evey right to do this -Gid bless him for the freedom to do what he believed in .
motherbinary says:
July 25th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
sorry about the spelling- lost my glasses:))