WUNRN
May 16, 1967
Nhat Chi Mai immolated herself in Saigon,
the capital of South Vietnam, to protest the war.
"I
offer my body as a torch
to dissipate the dark
to waken love among all people
to give peace to Vietnam."
Viet Nam – It was Sister Mai’s wish for all religions to band together in
hopes of creating peace throughout the world
Sister Mai's self-immolation death prompted Catholics and Buddhists to begin working harmoniously together in order to encourage further peace efforts. Her death highlights the essential role of women in the peace efforts. Sister Mai's actions enhanced the position of women as well as inspired many others throughout the community and around the world to become active in the fight for peace.
SISTER MAI
The flower known as Chi Mai.
Background:
Nhat Chi Mai was born in the early 1930’s as a privileged
daughter of a well-to-do family in Vietnam. She was a student at the Buddhist
Van-Hanh University and devoted much of her time to the School of Youth for
Social Services (SYSS). She was also a member of the Order of Interbeing,
which is an engaged Buddhist order founded by Thich Nhat Hanh. This particular
Order focuses on creating unity between disparate groups. During Sister Mai’s
time, the Order focused on bringing together the Catholics and Buddhists of
South Vietnam in a peaceful manner.
Protests:
Along with her extensive community involvement, Sister Mai was
extremely opposed to the Vietnam War and was a major proponent for peace. On
May 16, 1967, she immolated herself in the courtyard of Tu Ngheim Pagoda (a
nunnery) in Saigon, South Vietnam. Her action, which occurred during
Vesak (the holiday celebrating the birth of Buddha), was to protest the ongoing
Vietnam War.
She left behind many writings and poems including this one:
“I am only an ordinary Vietnamese
woman, without talent or ability.
But
I feel pain every time I look at
the
situation of my country. I want
to say
that the empty words you have
been
using, ‘to defend freedom and
happiness
for Vietnam’, have
lost all their meaning . . . “
Connections with other religions:
Before she died, Mai placed two statues in front of her, The
Virgin Mary and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. In her poems she asked Catholics
and Buddhists to work together for peace so that might realize the love of
Jesus and the compassion of the Buddha.
It was Sister Mai’s wish for all religions to band together in
hopes of creating peace throughout the world.
After her death
Sister Mai's death prompted Catholics and Buddhists to begin
working harmoniously together in order to encourage further peace
efforts. Her death, a great loss, highlights the essential role of women
in the peace efforts. Sister Mai's actions enhanced the position of women as
well as inspired many others throughout the community and around the world to
become active in the fight for peace.