The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) held a ceremony on May 29 tocommemorate Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, who set himself on fire 50years ago to protest against the repression of Buddhists by theAmerican-supported Saigon Government.
At the event which took place in Hanoi-based Quan Su pagoda, Buddhistmonks and nuns and followers remembered the great sacrifice ofBodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, as well as prayed for peace and prosperityfor people in Vietnam and around the world.
Most Venerable Thich Quang Duc was born as Lam Van Tuat in Van Khanhcommune, Van Ninh district, the central province of Khanh Hoa in1897.
He actively fought forreligious freedom and equality in the southern region in 1963 when itwas governed by the US-backed Saigon administration.
On June 11, 1963, when a procession of over 800 Buddhist monks, nunsand followers arrived at the intersection of Phan Dinh Phung boulevard(now Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street) and Le Van Duyet Street (now Cach MangThang Tam Street), Thich Quang Duc soaked himself in petrol, struck amatch and set himself on fire.
He was honoured as a Bodhisattva in 1964 after the unified VBS came into being.
Addressing the event, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent VicePresident of the VBS Executive Council said Thich Quang Duc’sself-immolation sparked a sense of national solidarity among Buddhistsects across the country.
Vietnamese Buddhists needto exert themselves to develop the VBS, and promote the patriotictradition and the links between Buddhism and the nation, Nhieu said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President of the Vietnam FatherlandFront Le Ba Trinh affirmed that since it entered Vietnam , Buddhismhas always accompanied the nation in the course to bring peace andhappiness to people, evidenced by Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc’sself-immolation.
Till June 11, the VBS branchesnationwide are to organise a series of commemorative ceremonies andconferences highlighting Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc’s contributionsalong with requiems for soldiers and people fallen during wars.-VNA
At the event which took place in Hanoi-based Quan Su pagoda, Buddhistmonks and nuns and followers remembered the great sacrifice ofBodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, as well as prayed for peace and prosperityfor people in Vietnam and around the world.
Most Venerable Thich Quang Duc was born as Lam Van Tuat in Van Khanhcommune, Van Ninh district, the central province of Khanh Hoa in1897.
He actively fought forreligious freedom and equality in the southern region in 1963 when itwas governed by the US-backed Saigon administration.
On June 11, 1963, when a procession of over 800 Buddhist monks, nunsand followers arrived at the intersection of Phan Dinh Phung boulevard(now Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street) and Le Van Duyet Street (now Cach MangThang Tam Street), Thich Quang Duc soaked himself in petrol, struck amatch and set himself on fire.
He was honoured as a Bodhisattva in 1964 after the unified VBS came into being.
Addressing the event, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent VicePresident of the VBS Executive Council said Thich Quang Duc’sself-immolation sparked a sense of national solidarity among Buddhistsects across the country.
Vietnamese Buddhists needto exert themselves to develop the VBS, and promote the patriotictradition and the links between Buddhism and the nation, Nhieu said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President of the Vietnam FatherlandFront Le Ba Trinh affirmed that since it entered Vietnam , Buddhismhas always accompanied the nation in the course to bring peace andhappiness to people, evidenced by Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc’sself-immolation.
Till June 11, the VBS branchesnationwide are to organise a series of commemorative ceremonies andconferences highlighting Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc’s contributionsalong with requiems for soldiers and people fallen during wars.-VNA
