Thien Mu Pagoda

The octagonal tower of Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda is near Hué, and is somewhat famous (or infamous) for political events surrounding it. The name Thích Quảng Đức probably doesn't mean much to you, but you'd remember the picture. In 1963, to protest the Diem monarchy, the monk Thích Quảng Đức went from this monastery to Saigon where he doused himself in gasoline and set himself on fire. I knew the photo because I've been an avid photographer for years, but others might recognize it as the cover of Rage Against the Machine's first album. It's more than a little disturbing.