View Full Version : Self Immolation
We've all seen the picture of that monk setting himself on fire in Vietnam to protest American involvement or heard about that Taiwanese woman who burned herself alive in protest of China being a total dick. What is the meaning behind setting yourself on fire for a cause? What ends do your flaming sacrifice achieve? I suppose that it is a pretty firm show of solidarity in ones cause but it seems like there is something deeper there... Thoughts?
Mantikore
2008-12-23, 06:05
well, obviously self immolation is a little more painful than other forms of suicide
i think its meant to show the strength of their will
well, obviously self immolation is a little more painful than other forms of suicide
i think its meant to show the strength of their will
certainly, but isn't it a bit counter intuitive to be doing the oppositions job for them? There's something almost haunting in how peaceful the Vietnamese monk burned, no screaming. I just find the topic fascinating, I'm seeking further perspective.
Mantikore
2008-12-23, 11:24
i reckon they believe that the publicity is worth that of the life of one of their own. yeah i know its retarded, but if i were them, thats what i would probably be thinking. besides, a few deaths isnt much in the grand scheme of things, considering a lot more of them face executions and stuff anyway.
apparently theres a wikipedia article on it. the weird thing is it says that mahayana buddhists tolerate it
SurahAhriman
2008-12-23, 12:25
The East is a very different place than the West. Death is but a door, and setting yourself on fire isn't so much of an issue when you know that you'll just get a free reroll.
The Methematician
2008-12-25, 17:54
The East is a very different place than the West. Death is but a door, and setting yourself on fire isn't so much of an issue when you know that you'll just get a free reroll.
I see your suicide bomber mentality.... after all, your not dead if you get lots of you know what at you know where....
koz_1048
2008-12-27, 04:02
I see your suicide bomber mentality.... after all, your not dead if you get lots of you know what at you know where....
Far east, not middle east. I don't see a buddhist monk burn himself for 72 virgins...
Martian Luger King
2008-12-27, 11:09
Dear God, The Methematician is one of the most retarded humans I have ever come across. Not once has that shit for brains ever said anything that was even remotely tolerable.
The Methematician
2008-12-28, 03:33
Far east, not middle east. I don't see a buddhist monk burn himself for 72 virgins...
you mean the user name that posted post #5 is a Buddhist name ????
hmmmmm....
koz_1048
2008-12-28, 04:04
you mean the user name that posted post #5 is a Buddhist name ????
hmmmmm....
Hahaha. :(
Aces High
2009-01-11, 17:28
Another lesser known case of self immolation was a guy named "Romas Kalanta", who was a Lithuanian that set himself ablaze to protest the soviet occupation of his country. He's considered a national hero there, I know this as I'm partially of Lithuanian descent.