Thich Quang Do, a Buddhist monk and human rights activist nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, died yesterday in Vietnam at the age of 93. This was announced today by the government-banned United Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV), which Do directed. Do has been living under house arrest in a monastery in Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam since 2003.
Do was a thorn in the side of Vietnam: he spent his life campaigning for religious freedom and human rights in the communist-ruled Southeast Asian state. Because of his vocal support for democracy, Do was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times.
In his will, Do asked for a „simple funeral, no more than three days“. He wished that his ashes were scattered on the sea, as his church quoted him to be.
The UBVC has been banned in Vietnam since the early 1980s. At that time, members refused to join Vietnam’s subordinate Buddhist Church.
