Thích Trí Quang (1923-2019)

From: Vsg [mailto:vsg-bounces@mailman11.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of David Marr

Sent: Monday, November 18, 2019 4:40 PM

To: Nhu Miller <trantnhu@gmail.com>; Cau Thai <cvthai75@gmail.com>

Cc: vsganu-l@anu.edu.au; Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>

Subject: Re: [Vsg] Thích Trí Quang (1923-2019)

I think Thich Tri Quang always remained ambiguous about the degree to which he wanted to engage in political struggle. He certainly believed in the `actualization’ of Buddhism. His political influence perhaps peaked in 1967. The Constituent Assembly elections had brought a number of Buddhist activists into day-to-day ‘legitimate’ action. But then came the tainted election of Nguyen Van Thieu as president. Then the Tet Offensive compelled Third Force adherents to make difficult choices…

I believe Nguyen Huu Thai was working on a biography of Thich Tri Quang, and had long discussions with him. Nothing published, so far as I know.

David Marr

ANU

From: Vsg <vsg-bounces@mailman11.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of Nhu Miller

Sent: Monday, 18 November 2019 4:44 AM

To: Cau Thai <cvthai75@gmail.com>

Cc: vsganu-l@anu.edu.au; Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>

Subject: Re: [Vsg] Thích Trí Quang (1923-2019)

I knew Thầy Trí Quang for nearly 50 years and can attest that he was not a communist

and he deserved "high praises," whatever that means. He was a refined, thoughtful,

analytic and deeply curious man who was interested in the outside world despite leading

a monastic life in a room most of his life. I last saw him at Chùa Đầm when I stopped by

to see him in 2016. Still intensely curious about politics, he spoke for an hour. I wish

I could find the recording I made!

T.T. Nhu

On Sat, Nov 16, 2019 at 4:33 PM Cau Thai <cvthai75@gmail.com> wrote:

To add to the discussion, I'd like to share several links, words from Thich Tri Quang: His April 1966 Time interview, his May 1966 interview (conducted by two medical students) and his own writing, October 2003, “Tiểu truyện tự ghi":

https://baotiengdan.com/2019/11/11/phong-van-96-phut-voi-thuong-toa-thich-tri-quang-05-05-1966/

https://thuvienhoasen.org/a14734/tieu-truyen-tu-ghi-hoa-thuong-thich-tri-quang

Based on the available information, there is no evidence to support the accusation that Thich Tri Quang was a "communist". Equally, there is no evidence to support high praises given to Thich Tri Quang since the news of his passing broke.

Calvin Thai

Independent Researcher

PS: Resent without the attachments due to VSG's size limitation.

From: Vsg [mailto:vsg-bounces@mailman11.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Cau Thai

Sent: Sunday, November 24, 2019 6:04 PM

To: Chau Quang <chauquang789@gmail.com>

Cc: vsganu-l@anu.edu.au; Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>

Subject: Re: [Vsg] Thích Trí Quang (1923-2019)

Regarding the quotation from Sophie Quinn-Judge's book, the message from Thich Tri Quang, cited in Nguyen Huu Thai's 2013 memoir, is as follows: "Thầy và Thái như vậy là đã làm được một số việc trong cảnh dầu sôi lửa bỏng rồi. Thành phố này không bị tàn phá và đổ máu trong những ngày cuối cùng của cuộc chiến. Nay họ đã có lớp người mới, phải ý thức rằng ta thực sự không còn cần thiết cho họ nữa. Đừng xông xáo ra quá. Hãy quay về với công việc chuyên môn của mình đi, may ra còn đóng góp được cái gì có ích chung…".

In his 2011 book, "Trí Quang Tự truyện", he wrote: "Rốt cuộc, tôi không biết gì, không có ý định gì cả, nên cuộc đời tôi “không vẫn hoàn không”, không có gì đáng nhớ, đáng nói."

If Thich Tri Quang's pre-1975 activities were for "religious freedom", his achievements, if any, were wiped out after 1975. Despite Hanoi's religious persecution, he remained silent until his death.

Calvin Thai

Independent Researcher

On Thu, Nov 21, 2019 at 8:02 AM Chau Quang <chauquang789@gmail.com> wrote:

I came across this detail from the book The Third Force in the Vietnam War: The Elusive Search for Peace 1954-85 by Sophie Quinn-Judge