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A silent protest that shook the world
The story of Quang Duc’s ultimate sacrifice
On June, 1963, in the streets of Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, an event took place that would reverberate across the world and forever alter the course of history. Thick Quang Duc, a 66-year-old Buddhist monk, sat down in the lotus position at a busy intersection near the Cambodian embassy. In an act of self-sacrifice, he set himself on fire, becoming a human torch in protest against the oppressive policies of the South Vietnamese government.
As flames engulfed his body, Quang Duc remained calm. He didn’t move, didn’t make a sound, and didn’t flinch. His composure amidst the flames was a powerful testament to unwavering dedication to his cause — a plea for religious freedom and an end to the persecution of Buddhist under the regime of President Ngo Dinh Diem.
Quang Duc’s self-immolation was a planned protest, meant to draw the world’s attention to the suffering of the Buddhist community in Vietnam. At the time, the Diem government was widely criticized for its preferential treatment of Catholics and its harsh treatment of Buddhist, who made up the majority of the population. The oppression had reached a boiling point, with violent crackdowns on peaceful Buddhist protests.
