Tri Quang was the leader of the Buddhist movement in South Vietnam. Diem's government, composed largely of Catholics, did not show much consideration for the Buddhist community, which led Tri Quang to organize active resistance. This resistance took the shape of public demonstrations, hunger strikes, and even public immolations that would further drive public opinion away from Diem's regime.

Tri Quang remained a major problem for South Vietnam's leaders after Diem's assassination, organizing Buddhist protests against Generals Khanh and Nguyen Cao Ky. After 1975 he was banished by the Communist government to a remote monastery.