Self-Immolation In Protest For Religious Freedom and Against China’s Aggression
Commentary: The recent
escalation between Red China and Red Vietnam has claimed its first
victim and first self-immolation in a long time. The oppression on the
patriotism and opposition of Vietnamese citizens to China’s aggression
seems to be the cause of Ms. Lê Thị Tuyết Mai. She was 67 and belonged
to Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (Giáo Hội Phật Giáo Việt Nam Thống
Nhất (GHPGVNTN)), which is not recognized by the State since the fall
of Saigon and has constantly been harassed by the regime.
On May 23rd, 2014 , Ms. Lê Thị Tuyết Mai
took a taxi to the Independence Palace in Saigon and lit herself on
fight with a dying wish for “The Defense of Buddhist Faith and People’s Sovereignty” (Đạo Pháp và Chủ quyền Dân Tộc). She left notes calling for “National Unity to oppose Chinese invasion, guiding light for patriots and Namo Amitabha Buddha” (“Đoàn kết đập tan mưu đồ xâm lược của Trung Quốc”, “Đốt ánh sáng soi đường cho những người yêu nước”, “Nam mô a di đà phật”…)
It is sad that someone had to take an
extreme and violent action to voice her patriotism and religious
freedom. May her soul, Ms. Lê Thị Tuyết Mai, baptized name Đồng Xuân,
find peace and Buddha’s Light Path!
Her self-immolation accuses the
oppressive nature of communist regime leading to societal despair and
symbolizes the eternal flame of heroic Vietnam’s mothers and women, who
are willing to die and fight for the country (Giặc đến nhà, đàn bà cũng đánh).
