In 1963, a shocking act of public self-immolation occurred when Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk from southern Vietnam, set himself on fire. This act was a protest against the South Vietnamese government’s policies of persecution towards Buddhist monks. Remarkably, throughout this intense act of self-sacrifice, Thich Quang Duc remained silent and motionless, presenting an image of calmness to the onlookers, as if he were sitting in peaceful meditation.

Following his death, when Thich Quang Duc’s body was cremated, his heart reportedly remained unburned. This extraordinary occurrence was seen by many as a sign of his compassion and unwavering spirit, leading to his veneration as a Bodhisattva within the Buddhist community. The profound impact of his self-immolation on the public and the world at large underscored the depth of the crisis in Vietnam, drawing international attention to the plight of Buddhists under the South Vietnamese regime.

Thich Quang Duc’s message, echoed through his ultimate sacrifice, highlights a poignant view on the nature of existence: