Commemorating the 60th anniversary of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc's self-immolation

On the morning of June 7 (April 20 of the lunar calendar), at Vietnam Quoc Tu (District 10, Ho Chi Minh City), the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Ho Chi Minh City held a memorial service for the 60th anniversary of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc's self-immolation (1963-2023).

Attending the memorial service was Mr. Nguyen Ho Hai, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee.

Leaders of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha commemorate Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc

At the ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Nhien Nhon, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, read a memorial message for Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc.

Accordingly, on the morning of April 20, Quy Mao year (June 11, 1963) in the middle of Phan Dinh Phung - Le Van Duyet avenue (now Nguyen Dinh Chieu - Cach Mang Thang 8 street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City), Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc borrowed the sacred fire to burn himself to preserve Buddhism.

Ho Chi Minh City leaders offer incense to commemorate Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc

This action took place in the context of Vietnamese Buddhism facing the Buddhist persecution in 1963. At that time, pagodas were blockaded, many monks, nuns, and Buddhists were arrested and imprisoned, their relatives were terrorized... many Buddhist protests in Hue and Saigon were violently suppressed.

60th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc's Self-Immolation (1963-2023) at Vietnam National Temple

The actions of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc demonstrated the spirit of great heroism, great strength, great compassion, the example of noble sacrifice and the pure patriotism of Bodhisattva.

This action also speaks to the aspirations for independence, national unity, the survival of Buddhism and freedom of belief as stated in the declaration of five aspirations of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha that must be implemented.

Most Venerable Elder Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Council, recalls the event of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc's self-immolation.

Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc

To commemorate and pay tribute to Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, Most Venerable Thich Nhien Nhon called on monks, nuns, and Buddhists of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to make efforts to develop the Sangha. To make the tradition of patriotism, solidarity, and companionship with the nation of Vietnamese Buddhism on the path of development, smoothly linked in the spirit of the Vietnamese nation and maintain world peace.

Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc burned himself in the middle of Phan Dinh Phung - Le Van Duyet Avenue (now Nguyen Dinh Chieu - Cach Mang Thang 8 Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City)

Nuns commemorate Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc

Hopefully, the majestic, fearless, compassionate sacred flame of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc and his majestic Dharma body will light the way for the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Vietnamese monks, nuns, and Buddhists to fulfill their sacred and important historical mission and develop in the hearts of the nation. From there, they will contribute to making the people rich, the country strong, and the society fair, democratic, and civilized, worthy of the city named after beloved President Ho according to the motto of the Sangha: Dharma - Nation - Socialism" - Venerable Thich Nhien Nhon expressed.

Young monks and nuns follow the path of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, setting a shining example for life.

As a remaining witness after 60 years, Most Venerable Elder Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Council, said that Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc had a simple lifestyle and hidden inside was a noble soul.

According to Most Venerable Elder Thich Tri Quang, no matter what position he holds, Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc always devotes all his heart and will to serve the country, the people and the Dharma.

Ho Chi Minh City leaders and Ho Chi Minh City Buddhist leaders take souvenir photos

Sincerely remember the great contributions of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc

According to the story of Venerable Elder Thich Tri Quang, when Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc submitted his application to self-immolate, he affirmed: "If he is allowed to self-immolate, it will resolve the struggle of Buddhism."

"When he burned himself, all the barbed wire fences surrounding the temple gates were opened. All the people in the world responded and supported the Buddhist movement," said Venerable Elder Thich Tri Quang.

Most Venerable Elder Thich Tri Quang expressed his wish that young monks and nuns would follow the path of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, setting a shining example for life, bringing joy and happiness to gods and humans.

After about 15 minutes of peaceful meditation in the sea of ​​fire, the body of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc was invited to Xa Loi Pagoda for the funeral. The Bodhisattva's body was invited to be cremated at the An Duong Dia Crematorium in Phu Lam (Saigon). After the body turned to ashes, the heart remained.

The heart was returned to the incinerator with a flame of over 4,000 degrees Celsius for many hours but still did not burn, becoming a solid block like stone with a mysterious, strangely intact shape.

The heart of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc was not burned under the extremely high temperature.

The heart of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc is a concrete proof of the hearts of all Buddhists who always love peace , freedom and equality but are also indomitable in the face of tyranny and oppression. That heart has become the spiritual symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism and the heart of humanity that has been and is forever fighting for freedom, peace and happiness.

The immortal heart of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc is being kept at the State Bank - Ho Chi Minh City Branch.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su/tuong-niem-60-nam-bo-tat-thich-quang-duc-vi-phap-thieu-than-20230607102834789.htm