Generally, a martyr is one who suffers, or dies, for the sake of certain beliefs. In Buddhism, martyrdom occurs but differs from other faith traditions in that the martyr is not venerated as an individual but rather as reflective of the noble need to witness and make visible the wrongs that bring suffering to others.
During the Vietnam War, some Buddhist monks immolated themselves to draw world attention to the horrors existing, and sometimes hidden, during war. They, as individuals, are known to very few. But as representatives of a non-violent faith tradition, their witnessing of wrongs and their active engagement of bringing attention to them – while not harming others in the process – qualifies them as martyrs in the purest sense.
Facing unafraid
The suffering that exists.
I bow to martyrs.
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