THE HANOI CHRONICLE — For the first time, the heart relic of Venerable Thich Quang Duc, a national treasure, is exhibited publicly after being in the custody of the State Bank of Vietnam for 34 years.
The relic is open for public homage from May 5 to 10 and will subsequently be preserved at the Vietnam Quoc Tu (National Pagoda) in Ho Chi Minh City.
A Monk Embodied Peace
The heart, devoid of physical form, symbolizes the resilient spirit and profound love for peace inherent in the Vietnamese people. Photo: Vesak 2025 Organizing Committee
The relic of Thich Quang Duc evokes memories of a monk who embodied selflessness. On June 11, 1963, at approximately 9:30 AM, at the junction of Phan Dinh Phung Boulevard (now Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street) and Le Van Duyet Street (now Cach Mang Thang Tam Street) in Saigon’s District 3, Venerable Thich Quang Duc performed self-immolation in front of hundreds of Buddhist monks, nuns, and civilians.
His body was enveloped in flames for almost 15 minutes, a moment that not only shocked the pro-Catholic government of Ngo Dinh Diem but also resonated with the conscience of the world.
Maintaining a serene mindset, Thich Quang Duc sat in the traditional meditation pose, known as the “lotus position,” and his self-immolation was not an act of hateful protest. Instead, it was a courageous attempt to rouse the Diem regime, advocate for religious equality and freedom of faith, and shield Buddhism from relentless persecution.
The heart of Venerable Thich Quang Duc transcended the boundaries of physics and became a sacred treasure of Vietnam, emblematic of the great vow, compassion, and bravery of a merciful and fearless spiritual leader.
Born Lam Van Tuc in 1897 in the central province of Khanh Hoa, Thich Quang Duc embraced Buddhism from a young age, diligently practicing meditation and observing the precepts. For nearly six decades, he devoted himself to disseminating Buddhist teachings and saving lives. Additionally, he supervised the construction of over 30 pagodas along Vietnam’s central coast and southern regions.
The heart relic was meticulously preserved under tight security from 1991 until early May 2025. Photo: Huy Dang
When Buddhist practices faced severe repression under the Ngo Dinh Diem regime, Thich Quang Duc made the ultimate sacrifice, offering his life to awaken consciences, foster dialogue, and uphold the nonviolent principles of Buddhism.
Since 1963, the image and legacy of Venerable Thich Quang Duc have become a global symbol of peaceful resistance.
An Everlasting Legacy
The self-immolation of Venerable Thich Quang Duc not only shocked Saigon but also compelled the US government and the international community to exert pressure on the Diem regime.
Photographs of this act, captured by journalist Malcolm Browne, were published in renowned international news outlets, including the New York Times, Time, and Life.
The flames that consumed Thich Quang Duc’s body ignited a wave of protests against the Ngo Dinh Diem government’s suppression of Buddhism, sparking a series of nonviolent street demonstrations across the nation.
The ceremony commemorating the heart relic of Venerable Thich Quang Duc was conducted with solemnity and profound reverence on May 6. Photo: Vesak 2025 Organizing Committee
During the funeral of Venerable Thich Quang Duc, his body underwent cremation once more, yet his heart remained miraculously untouched. Shortly afterward, the heart relic found its resting place in the Xa Loi Pagoda, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. The relic was subsequently transferred to the Vietnam Quoc Tu, where it remained until 1991, becoming an indestructible spiritual symbol revered by Buddhists across the nation.
According to Venerable Thich Le Trang, Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City, “His immortal heart represents compassion, profound wisdom, boundless love, tolerance, and the utmost willingness to sacrifice for a greater cause.”
A Treasured Relic Returns Home
The heart relic of Venerable Thich Quang Duc is currently on display at the Vietnam Quoc Tu in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Vesak 2025 Organizing Committee
On April 26, 1991, the heart relic of Venerable Thich Quang Duc was entrusted to the State Bank of Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City Branch for safekeeping.
The heart relic will now be enshrined at the Vietnam Quoc Tu in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City. This solemn enshrinement offers a unique opportunity for worship and underscores the values of compassion and immortality that Venerable Thich Quang Duc embodied, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Vietnam and humanity.
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