1.
LS XA LOI PAGODA STEEPLE (TILT DOWN TO) CROWD PRAYING
4 ft

2.
LS (PAN) CROWD PRAYING
8 1/2 ft

3.
MS - DO. -
10 ft

4.
MLS THEY PRAYING ON PAGODA GROUND
17 ft

5.
LS CROWD PRAYING
21 ft

6.
MLS TWO CHIEF PRIESTS LEADING PRAYERS
23 ft

7.
MLS (PAN) CROWD PRAYING
29 ft



Initials CAR/S/MK/MK/AMR.



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A SPECIAL PRAYER SERVICE MARKING THE 49TH DAY AFTER THE RITUAL SUICIDE OF SOUTH VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST MONK, WHICH QUANG DUC, WHO BURNED HIMSELF ON JUNE 11 IN SUPPORT OF BUDDHIST DEMANDS FOR RELIGIOUS EQUALITY WAS HELD ON JULY 30 AT THE XA LOI PAGODA, THE MAIN PAGODA IN SAIGON.

AN ESTIMATED CROWD OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND TURNED UP FOR THE PRAYER.SOME OF THEM WHO COULD NOT GET INTO THE PAGODA KNELT IN THE ROADWAY OUTSIDE AS GONGS AND DRUMS SOUNDED AT THE MOMENT EXACTLY FORTY-NINE DAYS AFTER THE MONK'S DEATH.

AT THE SAME MOMENT, BUDDHIST THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY HAD BEEN ASKED TO SPEND TWO MINUTES IN SILENT MEDITATION AT THEIR DESKS.IN THEIR CLASSROOMS OR IN THEIR MILITARY CAMPS.

MEANWHILE, TWO BUDDHIST LEADERS TOLD WORSHIPPERS AFTER PRAYERS AT THE PAGODA THAT THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT MUST CONTINUE, BUT I SHOULD BE STRICTLY NON-VIOLENT AND RELIGIOUS.