Monk Burns To Death As Protest

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30155, 12 June 1963, Page 15

Monk Burns To Death As Protest

(N ,Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

SAIGON, June 11.

A Buddhist monk burned himself to death in a Saigon street today, surrounded by hundreds of other monks and nuns, in a demonstration against alleged religious discrimination by the Government.

The burning took place in front of the Cambodian Embassy before authorities knew what was happening.

The charred body was later carried ceremonially through the streets by a procession of monks and nuns to Xa Loi Pagoda, where the funeral service was held.

'-arge forces of heavilyarmed troops guarded the streets in the area but left the police and riot squads to control the crowd There we e apparently no incidents, though some Buddhist sources reported a few arrests The burning took place while President Ngo Dmn Diem was attending Requiem Mass for Pope John m Saigon Cathedral The President is a Roman Catholic. About 500 Buddhist monks assembled early this morning at a pagoda in Saigon to

commemorate nine persons killed in Hue, central Vietnam on May 8. during a Buddhist demonstration on Buddha’s birthday Some reports said that Government troops opened fire on the gathering but the Government maintains the deaths resulted from terrorist plastic bombs

Today, the monks marched towards Xa Loi Pagoda. Suddenly a car heading the procession stopped, apparently

stalled, at a busy intersection The monks got out of the car and one monk sat down in the middle of the intersection while hundreds more gathered round.

Witnesses said the monks opened the front of the ear and took out a can of petrol, poured it over the monk who was sitting down. He then lit a match, and sat calmly as the flames enveloped him. He sat serenely fingering a string of sacred beads as he burned to death without a single sound After about 10 minutes his charred body tell backwards, still burning in places Police held back the large crowds. About an hour later the monks took the charred body wrapped in their own robes, and carried it to Xa Loi Pagbda They also carried a banner reading: “Monk burned himself for our five requests.” This referred to demands put' before President Diem on May 15 by the Buddhists.

The Associated Press said the monk, the Rev. Quang Due. had threatened several weeks ago to commit suicide if Buddhist demands were not met. Another monk has promised to disembowel himself publicly if the Government does not agree to Buddhist demands.