The model of Thich Quang Duc momorial

On June 11, 1963, at the corner of what were then Phan Dinh Phung and Le Van Duyet streets in central Sai Gon -- now Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Cach Mang Thang Tam streets in Ho Chi Minh City – the Most Venerable, Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc protested the oppression of South Vietnam’s Diem regime by burning himself alive as he meditated on the corner.
    
The new four-meter statue is to stand in a 1,200 square-meter mini-park at the corner where the act took place and feature on its back an embossed depiction of the struggle of the Vietnam’s Buddhists and lay people against the Diem administration.
 
The winning design by sculptor Vo Cong Thang was selected from a competition by the HCMC Department of Culture and Information (DoCI) in April, with Thang’s award being officially recognized by the HCMC People’s Committee at the yesterday’s ceremony.
 
Opening the ceremony, city Vice Chairman Nguyen Thanh Tai said the Most Venerable Thich Quang Duc’s action made a significant contribution toward the uniting followers of all religions in the country to struggle for peace, independence and reunification.
 
“The Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc’s marvelous flames held spiritual power,” said Mr. Tai, “They made Vietnamese wake up to their repression and stir to action. This act has become Vietnamese Buddhists’ symbol of unity with the nation and a torch guiding Vietnamese Buddhism to further develop in the spirit of Dharma, national welfare and socialism.”
 
He added that the Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc Park is to be a place where citizens and travelers can come and recall an important and significant event in Vietnamese Buddhists’ fierce struggle for both Dharma and the nation.

The Most Venerable Thich Quang Duc burns himself to death in central Sai Gon in 1963